According to Nikkei Shinbun as below, Japan Supreme Court is going to revise the Rules of Civil Procedure around next year to allow for web-based submission of briefs in civil suits. In the summer or autumn of 2022, the Tokyo District Court, Osaka District Court, and IP High Court are expected to enable the web-based submission of briefs and so on only for IP-related lawsuits.
Last year, IP High Court etc are permited to conduct dispute resolution procedures online via Microsoft Teams. Covid-19 has acceralated the digitalization of Civil Procedures in Japan.
On the ohter hand, it seems that the amendment of the Code of Civil Procedure is required for the acceptance of oral arguments, etc. on online basis. We will have to continue to monitor the discussion made in the Legislative Council of the Ministry of Justice as below.
When it comes to procedures under Japan Patent Office (JPO), the submission of hard copy is requried in the procedure of Invalidity Appeal, Post-grand Opposition etc. I understand it difficult to implment new online system to recieve digital media for Invalidity Appeal, Post-grand Opposition etc. However, I hope JPO will lauch such new system soon in the near future.
