Building a Websta profile as a lawyer in Japan

What goes on your profile page

Your Websta profile acts as your business page. Clients in Japan who search the marketplace by legal service and location will see your name, photo, services, and how to contact you. Unlike a general website, a Websta profile is built-in to the platform so people find you through local search, not through Google.

Start with a professional photo of yourself. Clients want to see who they are dealing with. Add a short description of your practice - what areas of law you handle, who your typical clients are, and what problems you solve. Write in Japanese if you work with Japanese clients, or in English if you serve international clients, or both if you work with both groups.

List each service you offer as a separate item. For a lawyer in Japan, this might include contract review, company formation, employment law advice, dispute resolution, or document preparation. For each service, write a clear description of what it covers and what the client should expect. Mention if you offer telephone or video consultations, in-person meetings, or both.

Photos and language on your profile

Add at least one professional photo of your workspace or office if you have one. If you work from home or share an office, a photo of your desk or a professional background is enough. Clients use photos to build confidence in you.

Choose which language or languages to publish in. If you work primarily with Japanese clients, publish in Japanese. If you serve foreign companies or expatriates, add English. Some lawyers in Japan publish in both. Websta supports multiple languages on one profile, so you can reach different client groups without creating separate pages.

Keep descriptions clear and direct. Avoid legal jargon when explaining what you do. For example, instead of 'corporate restructuring and M&A advisory', write 'help with buying or selling companies' and 'restructuring company ownership'.

How clients in Japan search for lawyers

On Websta, clients search by service type and location. When someone in Tokyo needs a lawyer for employment disputes, they search for that service in Tokyo. When someone in Osaka needs contract review, they search there. The marketplace shows them lawyers available in their area.

Websta's legal category on the platform currently has a small number of providers in Japan. This means less competition for your profile, but also that clients may not yet know where to look. Your profile helps them find you once they do search.

Clients also search by the specific problem they have - 'I need to set up a company', 'I have a contract dispute', 'I need employment law advice'. Make sure your service descriptions use the words your clients would use to describe their problem, not only legal terminology.

Booking and quote requests on your profile

Websta profiles can include a contact form so clients can send you a message, or a quote request option where they describe their problem and you respond with a price. Choose what works for your practice. Many lawyers prefer a quote request because each client's situation is different and requires a different fee.

When a client submits a quote request, you receive it and can respond with your terms. You decide your fees, rates, and whether you charge by the hour, flat fee, or retainer. Websta does not set your prices - you do.

If you accept payments through Websta using Stripe, clients can pay you directly and the money goes to your own bank account. Websta handles the payment processing; you see the transaction in your Stripe account.

Working as an independent lawyer in Japan

To practice law in Japan, you must pass the national bar exam and be registered with a bar association (bengo-shi). This is a requirement from the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and applies whether you work for a firm or solo. Check with your local bar association about membership requirements and any rules about solo practice.

If you work as an independent sole trader (personal business), you need to register with the tax office. The requirements depend on whether you register as a sole proprietor or later establish a company. Check with your prefectural tax office about registration and any ongoing compliance requirements for independent professionals.

Some bar associations require solo practitioners to have professional liability insurance. Confirm the requirement in your jurisdiction. Also check if there are rules about how you describe yourself on platforms like Websta - some bar associations have guidelines about advertising legal services.

Currency and payments work in Japanese yen. Stripe supports bank transfers to Japanese bank accounts, so you can receive payments directly.

What to write in the first hour

Start by writing a one-sentence summary of what you do: 'I advise small businesses on employment law' or 'I help companies with mergers and contracts.' This becomes your profile headline.

Write three to five services you offer. For each one, write two or three sentences describing what it covers. Example: 'Employment law advice - I advise companies on hiring, disputes with employees, and workplace policies. I help both Japanese and foreign-owned companies understand local employment law.'

Add your location (city or prefecture), your professional photo, and choose your working languages. If you offer video consultations, phone calls, or only in-person meetings, mention it in your service descriptions.

Write your contact preferences: do you want a contact form so clients message you, or a quote request form where they describe their problem first. Decide whether to set up Stripe payment processing or handle invoices outside Websta.

Your profile is live once you publish it. You can edit it anytime, add more services, or change your description as your practice grows.

Next steps after launching

Monitor quote requests and messages. Respond quickly - clients want to know you are active. Keep your profile updated if your services or availability change.

If you are a sole trader and your details appear in the public business register, Websta may have created a profile for you automatically with your registered trade and location. You can claim this profile and edit it, or request that it be removed.