View source for Minister of Justice (Japan)

{{Short description|Japanese cabinet role}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2024}}{{Infobox official post
| post                     = Minister of Justice 
| body                     = 
| native_name              = {{Lang|ja|法務大臣}}
| flag                     = 
| flagsize                 = 
| flagborder               = 
| flagcaption              = 
| insignia                 = Goshichi no kiri.svg
| insigniasize             = 80px
| insigniacaption          = Emblem of the Government of Japan
| image                    = Hiroshi Hiraguchi (cropped).jpg
| imagesize                = 
| alt                      = 
| incumbent                = [[Hiroshi Hiraguchi]]
| incumbentsince           = 21 October 2025
| type                     = 
| status                   = 
| department               = [[Ministry of Justice (Japan)|Ministry of Justice]]
| style                    = His Excellency
| member_of                = [[Cabinet of Japan]]
| reports_to               = [[Prime Minister of Japan]]
| residence                = 
| seat                     = 
| appointer                = [[Prime Minister of Japan]]
| appointer_qualified      = <small>attested to by the [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]]</small>
| termlength               = 
| termlength_qualified     = 
| constituting_instrument  = 
| precursor                = 
| formation                = {{start date and age|1952|8|1}}
| First                    =
| last                     = 
| abolished                = 
| succession               = 
| abbreviation             = 
| unofficial_names         = 
| deputy                   = State Minister of Justice
| salary                   = ¥20,916,000
| website                  = 
}}
The {{nihongo|'''Minister of Justice'''|法務大臣|Hōmu Daijin}} is a member of the [[Cabinet of Japan]] and is the leader and chief executive of the [[Ministry of Justice (Japan)|Ministry of Justice]]. The minister is nominated by the [[Prime Minister of Japan]] and is appointed by the [[Emperor of Japan]].

The current minister is [[Hiroshi Hiraguchi]], who took office on 21 October 2025.

==Organization and authority==
On 1 August 1952, the Attorney General's Office became the Ministry of Justice, headed by a Minister of Justice rather than an attorney general.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Ministry of Justice |url=https://www.moj.go.jp/EN/hisho/soshiki/enkaku.html |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Ministry of Justice}}</ref>

By law, the Minister of Justice is authorized to order [[Execution warrant|executions]] of any inmate on death row at anytime, making the position highly influential. The Minister is also authorized to deport or grant any foreigner residential or permanent visas.

== List of ministers of justice ==
{{legend2|{{party color|Independent politician}}|[[Independent politician|Independent]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}|[[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Japan Renewal Party}}|[[Japan Renewal Party|Japan Renewal]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)}}|[[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)|Democratic Socialist]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}|[[Democratic Party of Japan|Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |Justice minister
! colspan="3" |Term of office
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Prime minister
|-
!#
! colspan="2" |Portrait
!Name
!Took office
!Left office
!Days
|-
|1
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}"|
|[[File:Tokutarō Kimura 02 cropped to 3x4.jpg|frameless|133x133px]]
|[[Tokutaro Kimura]]
|August 1, 1952
|October 30, 1952
|{{age in days|1952|8|1|1952|10|30}}
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Japan, 1950)}}" rowspan="4" |
| rowspan="4" |[[Shigeru Yoshida]]
|-
|2
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Japan, 1950)}}"|
|[[File:Takeru inukai.jpg|frameless|140x140px]]
|[[Takeru Inukai]]
|October 30, 1952
|April 22, 1954
|{{age in days|1952|10|30|1954|4|22}}
|-
|3
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Japan, 1950)}}"|
|[[File:Ryogoro kato.jpg|frameless|142x142px]]
|[[Ryogo Kato]]
|April 22, 1954
|June 19, 1954
||{{age in days|1954|4|22|1954|6|19}}
|-
|4
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (Japan, 1950)}}"|
|[[File:Naoshi Ohara 3.jpg|frameless|133x133px]]
|[[Naoshi Ohara]]
|June 19, 1954
|December 10, 1954
||{{age in days|1954|6|19|1954|12|10}}
|-
|5
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party (Japan, 1954)}}"|
|[[File:Hanamura Shiro.jpg|frameless|143x143px]]
|[[Shiro Hamamura]]
|December 10, 1954
|November 22, 1955
|{{age in days|1954|12|10|1955|11|22}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party (Japan, 1954)}}" rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Ichirō Hatoyama]]
|-
|6
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party (Japan, 1954)}}"|
|[[File:Ryozo makino.jpg|frameless|141x141px]]
|[[Ryozo Makino]]
|November 22, 1955
|December 23, 1956
|{{age in days|1955|11|22|1956|12|23}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |7
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Umekichi Nakamura 1965.jpg|frameless|135x135px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Umekichi Nakamura]]
| rowspan="2" |December 23, 1956
| rowspan="2" |July 10, 1957
| rowspan="2" |{{age in days|1956|12|23|1957|7|10}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[Tanzan Ishibashi]]
|-
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="4" |
| rowspan="4" |[[Nobusuke Kishi]]
|-
|8
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Toshiki Karasa]]
|July 10, 1957
|June 12, 1958
|{{age in days|1957|7|10|1958|6|12}}
|-
|9
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Kiichi Aichi]]
|June 12, 1958
|June 18, 1959
|{{age in days|1958|6|12|1959|6|18}}
|-
|10
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Hiroya Ino.jpg|frameless|116x116px]]
|[[Hiroya Ino]]
|June 18, 1959
|July 19, 1960 
|{{age in days|1959|6|18|1960|7|19}}
|-
|11
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Tetsuzo Kojima.jpg|frameless|119x119px]]
|[[Tetsuzo Kojima]]
|July 19, 1960 
|December 8, 1960
|{{age in days|1960|7|19|1960|12|8}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="4" |
| rowspan="5" |[[Hayato Ikeda]]
|-
|12
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Koshiro Ueki]]
|December 8, 1960
|July 18, 1962
|{{age in days|1960|12|8|1962|7|18}}
|-
|13
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Nakagaki Kunio.JPG|frameless|124x124px]]
|[[Kunio Nakagaki]]
|July 18, 1962
|July 18, 1963
|{{age in days|1962|7|18|1963|7|18}}
|-
|14
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:KayaOkinori.jpg|frameless|124x124px]]
|[[Okinori Kaya]]
|July 18, 1963
|July 18, 1964
|{{age in days|1963|7|18|1964|7|18}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |15
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"  rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
| rowspan="2" |[[Hitoshi Takahashi]]
| rowspan="2" |July 18, 1964
| rowspan="2" |June 3, 1965
| rowspan="2" |{{age in days|1964|7|18|1965|6|3}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"|
|-
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
| rowspan="9" |[[Eisaku Satō]]
|-
|16
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Mitsujiro Ishii.jpg|frameless|119x119px]]
|[[Mitsujirō Ishii]]
|June 3, 1965
|December 3, 1966
|{{age in days|1965|6|3|1966|12|3}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="8" |
|-
|17
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Isaji Tanaka]]
|December 3, 1966
|November 25, 1967
|{{age in days|1966|12|3|1967|11|25}}
|-
|18
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Bunzo Akama.jpg|frameless|121x121px]]
|[[Bunzo Akama]]
|November 25, 1967
|November 30, 1968
|{{age in days|1967|11|25|1968|11|30}}
|-
|19
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Saigo Kichinosuke.JPG|frameless|166x166px]]
|[[Kichinosuke Saigo]]
|November 30, 1968
|January 14, 1970
|{{age in days|1968|11|30|1970|1|14}}
|-
|20
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Takeji Kobayashi]]
|January 14, 1970
|February 9, 1971
|{{age in days|1970|1|14|1971|2|9}}
|-
|21
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Daisuke Akita]]
|February 9, 1971
|February 17, 1971
|{{age in days|1971|2|9|1971|2|17}}
|-
|22
(12)
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Koshiro Ueki]]
|February 17, 1971
|July 5, 1971
|{{age in days|1971|2|17|1971|7|5}}
|-
|23
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Shigesaburo Maeo.jpg|frameless|169x169px]]
|[[Shigesaburō Maeo]]
|July 5, 1971
|July 7, 1972
|{{age in days|1971|7|5|1972|7|7}}
|-
|24
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Yūichi Kōri]]
|July 7, 1972
|December 22, 1972
|{{age in days|1972|7|7|1972|12|22}}
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="4" |
| rowspan="4" |[[Kakuei Tanaka]]
|-
|25
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Isaji Tanaka]]
|December 22, 1972
|November 25, 1973
|{{age in days|1972|12|22|1973|11|25}}
|-
|26
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Umekichi Nakamura]]
|November 25, 1973
|November 11, 1974
|{{age in days|1973|11|25|1974|11|11}}
|-
|27
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Seigo Hamano]]
|November 11, 1974
|December 9, 1974
|{{age in days|1974|11|11|1974|12|9}}
|-
|28
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Osamu Inaba 1972.jpg|frameless|144x144px]]
|[[Osamu Inaba]]
|December 9, 1974
|December 24, 1976
|{{age in days|1974|12|9|1976|12|24}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"|
|[[Takeo Miki]]
|-
|29
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Hajime Fukuda]]
|December 24, 1976
|October 5, 1977
|{{age in days|1976|12|24|1977|10|5}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Takeo Fukuda]]
|-
|30
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Mitsuo Setoyama 1982.jpg|frameless|145x145px]]
|[[Mitsuo Setayama]]
|October 5, 1977
|December 7, 1978
|{{age in days|1977|10|5|1978|12|7}}
|-
|31
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Yoshimi Furui]]
|December 7, 1978
|November 9, 1979
|{{age in days|1978|12|7|1979|11|9}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Masayoshi Ōhira]]
|-
|32
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Tadao Kuraishi]]
|November 9, 1979
|July 17, 1980
|{{age in days|1979|11|9|1980|7|17}}
|-
|33
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Seisuke Okuno 1972.jpg|frameless|145x145px]]
|[[Seisuke Okuno]]
|July 17, 1980
|November 30, 1980
|{{age in days|1979|7|17|1980|11|30}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Zenkō Suzuki]]
|-
|34
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Michita Sakata 1968.jpg|frameless|145x145px]]
|[[Michita Sakata]]
|November 30, 1980
|November 27, 1982
|{{age in days|1980|11|30|1982|11|27}}
|-
|35
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Hatano Akira]]
|November 27, 1982
|December 27, 1983
|{{age in days|1982|11|27|1983|12|27}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="5" |
| rowspan="5" |[[Yasuhiro Nakasone]]
|-
|36
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Eisaku Sumi]]
|December 27, 1983
|November 1, 1984
|{{age in days|1983|12|27|1984|11|1}}
|-
|37
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Hitoshi Shimazaki]]
|November 1, 1984
|December 28, 1985
|{{age in days|1984|11|1|1985|12|28}}
|-
|38
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Seigo Suzuki (politician)|Seigo Suzuki]]
|December 28, 1985
|July 22, 1986
|{{age in days|1985|12|28|1986|7|22}}
|-
|39
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Kaname Endo]]
|July 22, 1986
|November 6, 1987
|{{age in days|1986|7|22|1987|11|6}}
|-
|40
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Yukio Hasegawa]]
|November 6, 1987
|December 27, 1988
|{{age in days|1987|11|7|1988|12|27}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Noboru Takeshita]]
|-
|41
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Takashi Hasegawa (politician)|Takashi Hasegawa]]
|December 27, 1998
|December 30, 1998
|{{age in days|1988|12|27|1988|12|30}}
|-
|42
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Masami Takatsuji]]
|December 30, 1998
|June 3 1989
|{{age in days|1988|12|30|1989|7|3}}
|-
|43
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Kazuo Tanikawa.19830822 (cropped).jpg|frameless|133x133px]]
|[[Kazuo Tanikawa]]
|June 3 1989
|August 10, 1989
|{{age in days|1989|7|3|1989|8|10}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"|
|[[Sōsuke Uno]]
|-
|44
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Masao Goto]]
|August 10, 1989
|February 28, 1990
|{{age in days|1989|8|10|1990|2|28}}
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="4" |
| rowspan="4" |[[Toshiki Kaifu]]
|-
|45
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Shin Hasegawa (politician)|Shin Hasegawa]]
|February 28, 1990
|September 13, 1990
|{{age in days|1990|2|28|1990|9|13}}
|-
|46
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Seiroku Kajiyama.jpg|frameless|145x145px]]
|[[Seiroku Kajiyama]]
|September 13, 1990
|December 29, 1990
|{{age in days|1990|9|13|1990|12|29}}
|-
|47
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Megumi Sato (politician)|Megumi Sato]]
|December 29, 1990
|November 5, 1991
|{{age in days|1989|12|29|1991|11|5}}
|-
|48
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Takashi Tawara]]
|November 5, 1991
|December 12, 1992
|{{age in days|1991|11|5|1992|12|12}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="2" |
|rowspan="2" |[[Kiichi Miyazawa]]
|-
|49
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Minister of Jastice, Masaharu Gotōda.png|frameless|100x100px]]
|[[Masaharu Gotōda]]
|December 12, 1992
|August 9, 1993
|{{age in days|1992|12|12|1993|8|9}}
|-
|50
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}" |
|[[File:Mikazuki Akira.jpg|frameless|133x133px]]
|[[Akira Mikazuki]]
|August 9, 1993
|April 28, 1994
|{{age in days|1993|8|9|1994|4|28}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Japan New Party}}"|
|[[Morihiro Hosokawa]]
|-
|51
!style="background-color: {{party color|Japan Renewal Party}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Shigeto Nagano]]
|April 28, 1994
|May 8, 1994
|{{age in days|1994|4|28|1994|5|8}}
! style="background-color: {{party color|Japan Renewal Party}}" rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[Tsutomu Hata]]
|-
|52
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Hiroshi Nakai.jpg|frameless|141x141px]]
|[[Hiroshi Nakai]]
|May 8, 1994
|June 30, 1994
|{{age in days|1994|5|8|1994|6|30}}
|-
|53
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Isao Maeda]]
|June 30, 1994
|August 8, 1995
|{{age in days|1994|6|30|1995|8|8}}
! style="background-color: {{party color|Japan Socialist Party}}" rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Tomiichi Murayama]]
|-
|54
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Tomoharu Tazawa]]
|August 8, 1995
|October 8, 1995
|{{age in days|1995|8|8|1995|10|8}}
|-
|55
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Hiroshi Miyazawa]]
|October 8, 1995
|January 11, 1996
|{{age in days|1995|10|8|1996|1|11}}
|-
|56
!style="background-color: {{party color|Independent politician}}" |
|<!-- Do not use placeholder images per WP:IPH -->
|[[Ritsuko Nagao]]
|January 11, 1996
|November 7, 1996
|{{age in days|1996|1|11|1996|11|7}}
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Ryutaro Hashimoto]]
|-
|57
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Isao Matsuura.jpg|frameless|129x129px]]
|[[Isao Matsuura]]
|November 7, 1996
|September 11, 1997
|{{age in days|1996|11|7|1997|9|11}}
|-
|58
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Kōkichi Shimoinaba.jpg|frameless|138x138px]]
|[[Kokichi Shimoinaba]]
|September 11, 1997
|July 30, 1998
|{{age in days|1997|9|11|1998|7|30}}
|-
|59
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Shōzaburō Nakamura.jpg|frameless|129x129px]]
|[[Shozaburo Nakamura]]
|July 30, 1998
|March 8, 1999
|{{age in days|1998|7|30|1999|3|8}}
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Keizō Obuchi]]
|-
|60
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Takao Jinnouchi.jpg|frameless|130x130px]]
|[[Takao Jinnouchi]]
|March 8, 1999
|October 5, 1999
|{{age in days|1999|3|8|1999|10|5}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |61
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"  rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Hideo Usui.jpg|frameless|127x127px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Hideo Usui]]
| rowspan="2" |October 5, 1999
| rowspan="2" |July 4, 2000
| rowspan="2" |{{age in days|1999|10|5|2000|7|4}}
|
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" |[[Yoshirō Mori]]
|-
|62
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Okiharu Yasuoka 2000704.jpg|frameless|124x124px]]
|[[Okiharu Yasuoka]]
|July 4, 2000
|December 5, 2000
|{{age in days|2000|7|4|2000|12|5}}
|-
|63
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Masahiko Komura 1996.jpg|100px]]
|[[Masahiko Kōmura]]
|December 5, 2000
|April 26, 2001
|{{age in days|2000|12|5|2001|4|26}}
|-
|64
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Mayumi Moriyama.jpg|100px]]
|[[Mayumi Moriyama]]
|April 26, 2001
|September 22, 2003
|{{age in days|2001|4|26|2003|9|22}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan=4|
|rowspan=4|[[Junichiro Koizumi]]
|-
|65
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Daizō Nozawa.jpg|100px]]
|[[Daizō Nozawa]]
|September 22, 2003
|September 27, 2004
|{{age in days|2003|9|22|2004|9|27}}
|-
|66
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Chieko Nōno.jpg|100px]]
|[[Chieko Nōno]]
|September 27, 2004
|October 31, 2005
|{{age in days|2004|9|27|2005|10|31}}
|-
|67
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Seiken Sugiura, Minister of Justice.jpg|100px]]
|[[Seiken Sugiura]]
|October 31, 2005
|September 26, 2006
|{{age in days|2005|10|31|2006|9|26}}
|-
|68
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Jinen Nagase 200609.jpg|100px]]
|[[Jinen Nagase]]
|September 26, 2006
|August 27, 2007
|{{age in days|2006|9|26|2007|8|27}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan=2|
|rowspan=2|[[Shinzo Abe]]
|-
|rowspan=2|69
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan=2|
|rowspan=2|[[File:Official portrait of Kunio Hatoyama 2008.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=2|[[Kunio Hatoyama]]
|rowspan=2|August 27, 2007
|rowspan=2|August 2, 2008
|rowspan=2|{{age in days|2007|8|27|2008|8|2}}
|-
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan=2|
|rowspan=2|[[Yasuo Fukuda]]
|-
|70
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Okiharu Yasuoka 2000704.jpg|100px]]
|[[Okiharu Yasuoka]]
|August 2, 2008
|September 24, 2008
|{{age in days|2008|8|2|2008|9|24}}
|-
|71
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Eisuke Mori.jpg|100px]]
|[[Eisuke Mori]]
|September 24, 2008
|September 16, 2009
|{{age in days|2008|9|24|2009|9|16}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[Taro Aso]]
|-
|rowspan=2|72
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" rowspan=2|
|rowspan=2|[[File:Chiba Keiko.jpg|100px]]
|rowspan=2|[[Keiko Chiba]]
|rowspan=2|September 16, 2009
|rowspan=2|September 7, 2010
|rowspan=2|{{age in days|2009|9|16|2010|9|7}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[Yukio Hatoyama]]
|-
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" rowspan=4|
|rowspan=4|[[Naoto Kan]]
|-
|73
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Minoru Yanagida.jpg|100px]]
|[[Minoru Yanagida]]
|September 7, 2010
|November 22, 2010
|{{age in days|2010|9|7|2010|11|22}}
|-
|74
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Yoshito Sengoku 20100917.jpg|100px]]
|[[Yoshito Sengoku]]
|November 22, 2010
|January 14, 2011
|{{age in days|2010|11|22|2011|1|14}}
|-
|75
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Satsuki Eda MOJ (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|[[Satsuki Eda]]
|January 14, 2011
|September 2, 2011
|{{age in days|2011|1|14|2011|9|2}}
|-
|76
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Hideo Hiraoka.jpg|100px]]
|[[Hideo Hiraoka]]
|September 2, 2011
|January 13, 2012
|{{age in days|2011|9|2|2012|1|13}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" rowspan=5|
|rowspan=5|[[Yoshihiko Noda]]
|-
|77
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Toshio Ogawa 201101.jpg|100px]]
|[[Toshio Ogawa]]
|January 13, 2012
|June 4, 2012
|{{age in days|2012|1|13|2012|6|4}}
|-
|78
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Makoto Taki 2004.jpg|100px]]
|[[Makoto Taki]]
|June 4, 2012
|October 1, 2012
|{{age in days|2012|6|4|2012|10|1}}
|-
|79
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Tanaka Keishuu 201210.jpg|100px]]
|[[Keishu Tanaka]]
|October 1, 2012
|October 23, 2012
|{{age in days|2012|10|1|2012|10|23}}
|-
|80<br />(78)
!style="background-color: {{party color|Democratic Party of Japan}}" |
|[[File:Makoto Taki 2004.jpg|100px]]
|[[Makoto Taki]]
|October 23, 2012
|December 26, 2012
|{{age in days|2012|10|23|2012|12|26}}
|-
|81
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Tanigaki Sadakazu 1-2.jpg|100px]]
|[[Sadakazu Tanigaki]]
|December 26, 2012
|September 3, 2014
|{{age in days|2012|12|26|2014|9|3}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan=9|
|rowspan=9|[[Shinzo Abe]]
|-
|82
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Midori Matsushima 20140903.jpg|100px]]
|[[Midori Matsushima]]
|September 3, 2014
|October 20, 2014
|{{age in days|2014|9|3|2014|10|20}}
|-
|83
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Yōko Kamikawa 20141021.jpg|100px]]
|[[Yōko Kamikawa]]
|October 20, 2014
|October 7, 2015
|{{age in days|2014|10|20|2015|10|7}}
|-
|84
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Mitsuhide Iwaki 20151007.jpg|100px]]
|[[Mitsuhide Iwaki]]
|October 7, 2015
|August 3, 2016
|{{age in days|2015|10|7|2016|8|3}}
|-
|85
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Katsutoshi Kaneda.jpg|100px]]
|[[Katsutoshi Kaneda]]
|August 3, 2016
|August 3, 2017
|{{age in days|2016|8|3|2017|8|3}}
|-
|86<br />(83)
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Yōko Kamikawa 20141021.jpg|100px]]
|[[Yōko Kamikawa]]
|August 3, 2017
|October 2, 2018
|{{age in days|2017|8|3|2018|10|2}}
|-
|87
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Takashi Yamashita (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|[[Takashi Yamashita]]
|October 2, 2018
|September 11, 2019
|{{age in days|2018|10|2|2019|9|11}}
|-
|88
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Kawaikatsuyuki.jpg|100px]]
|[[Katsuyuki Kawai]]
|September 11, 2019
|October 31, 2019
|{{age in days|2019|9|11|2019|10|31}}
|-
|89
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Masako Mori 20170510.jpg|100px]]
|[[Masako Mori (politician)|Masako Mori]]
|October 31, 2019
|September 16, 2020
|{{age in days|2019|10|31|2020|9|16}}
|-
|90<br />(83)
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Yōko Kamikawa 20141021.jpg|100px]]
|[[Yōko Kamikawa]]
|September 16, 2020
|October 4, 2021
|{{age in days|2020|9|16|2021|10|4}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"|
|[[Yoshihide Suga]]
|-
|91
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Yoshihisa Furukawa 20211004 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|[[Yoshihisa Furukawa]]
|October 4, 2021
|10 August 2022
|{{age in days|2021|10|4|2022|8|10}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"rowspan=4|
|rowspan="4"|[[Fumio Kishida]]
|-
|92
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Yasuhiro Hanashi 20160212.jpg|100px]]
|[[Yasuhiro Hanashi]]
|10 August 2022
|11 November 2022
|{{age in days|2022|8|10|2022|11|11}}
|-
|93
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Ken Saitō 20221111 (cropped).png|100px]]
|[[Ken Saitō]]
|November 11, 2022
|September 13, 2023
|{{age in days|2022|11|11|2023|9|13}}
|-
|94
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Ryūji Koizumi 20111227.jpg|100px]]
|[[Ryuji Koizumi]]
|September 13, 2023
|October 1, 2024
|{{age in days|2023|9|13|2024|10|1}}
|-
|95
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Hideki Makihara 20241001 (cropped 2).jpg|100px]]
|[[Hideki Makihara]]
|October 1, 2024
|November 11, 2024
|{{age in days|2024|10|1|2024|11|11}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|[[Shigeru Ishiba]]
|-
|96
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Keisuke Suzuki, Minister of Justice (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|[[Keisuke Suzuki]]
|November 11, 2024
|October 21, 2025
|{{age in days|2024|11|11|2025|10|21}}
|-
|97
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}" |
|[[File:Hiroshi Hiraguchi (cropped).jpg|100px]]
|[[Hiroshi Hiraguchi]]
|October 21, 2025
|Incumbent
|{{age in days|2025|10|21}}
!style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)}}"|
|[[Sanae Takaichi]]
|}

== References ==
<references/>

{{Ministries of Japan}}

[[Category:Ministers of justice of Japan|*]]