Legal Intern – Regulatory Research

Legal Intern – Regulatory Research at the Japan Financial Services Agency

The Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA / 金融庁) in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, offers a legal research internship for law students interested in financial regulation and public policy. The FSA is Japan's primary financial regulator, responsible for the oversight of banking, securities, insurance, and fintech sectors.

Programme Overview

The FSA legal internship runs for approximately 2-3 weeks during the summer (August-September). This government internship provides a unique perspective on the regulatory side of financial law — an experience that is invaluable for aspiring bengoshi who wish to practice financial regulation, whether in government, at law firms, or in-house at financial institutions.

What You Will Experience

Interns will conduct research on regulatory topics under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (金融商品取引法 / FIEA), the Banking Act (銀行法), the Insurance Business Act (保険業法), and the Payment Services Act (資金決済法). You will attend internal policy discussions, participate in research on emerging regulatory issues such as fintech, digital assets, and sustainable finance, and gain insight into how Japan's financial regulatory framework operates.

Working in the Kasumigaseki government district, you will be surrounded by Japan's key ministries and regulatory bodies. The internship offers a rare opportunity to understand financial policy-making from the regulator's perspective.

Programme Details

• Duration: 2-3 weeks (August-September)
• Compensation: Paid internship (government stipend)
• Location: Kasumigaseki, Tokyo (FSA headquarters)
• Government/regulatory sector experience

• Conduct research on financial regulation topics assigned by supervisors
• Assist with policy analysis and comparative regulatory studies
• Attend internal policy discussions and presentations (where permitted)
• Research emerging regulatory topics including fintech and digital assets
• Prepare research summaries and briefing materials
• Participate in orientation sessions on the FSA's mission and structure
• Present research findings to the supervising division at programme conclusion

• Enrolled in a hōka daigakuin (法科大学院) or graduate programme in financial law/regulation
• Interest in financial regulation, public policy, or government legal careers
• Basic understanding of the FIEA (金融商品取引法) and Banking Act (銀行法)
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Japanese language proficiency required
• English proficiency valued for international regulatory research
• Available for 2-3 weeks during the August-September period