Japanese legal history

Japanese legal history is marked by distinct periods, starting with early indigenous codes, then influenced by Chinese legal traditions through the Asuka and Nara periods, which introduced centralized law codes like Ritsuryō. During the Edo period, strict feudal laws governed society under the Tokugawa shogunate. In the late 19th century, Japan adopted a modern legal system inspired by European models during the Meiji Restoration, including a constitutional government. Post-World War II, Japan reformed its laws under the 1947 constitution, emphasizing democratic principles and rights. Today, Japan maintains a hybrid legal system blending traditional, civil, and criminal law with contemporary reforms.