Freedom of Association in Japan

Abstract This article provides a brief overview of the history and current situation of freedom of association in the Constitution of Japan. Part i introduces the related provisions of freedom of association in the Constitution, including labour unions, religious corporations, universities and families. Part ii presents a brief history of the period before the current Constitution was established. Part iii examines the laws that limit associations based on the Constitution. Part iv considers the potential of freedom of association by analysing the original drafts of the Constitution of Japan. We further review the direction of theory of freedom of association by laying out the situation of academic discussions in Japan.