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How to Identify a Gyosei-Shoshi

Published: 2021.10.4
Updated: 2025.7.27

Gyosei-Shoshi Badge

"Do you need help applying for a grant?" "The online administrative procedures are complicated, do you want me to apply for you?" If someone approaches you like that and tells you the fee, you should be cautious.

Only a Gyosei-Shoshi can apply for administrative procedures on your behalf. If someone who is not a Gyosei-Shoshi does this, they may be violating the Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Act.

Of course, meeting a benefactor is rare. But if you encounter someone who only knows a little and makes mistakes in the application, it may affect your normal application or prevent you from getting the license on time. Then, who would be responsible?

If it's a Gyosei-Shoshi, they will be held accountable first. However, if it's not a Gyosei-Shoshi, you can only pursue compensation based on civil code.

Therefore, confirming whether the person is a Gyosei-Shoshi before seeking help is the best strategy.

This article will introduce several ways to identify whether someone is a Gyosei-Shoshi, hoping to help you.

Check the Gyosei-Shoshi Certificate

Every Gyosei-Shoshi will have a Gyosei-Shoshi certificate(card). If asked to present the certificate, they usually would be happy to do so. Therefore, you can check the Gyosei-Shoshi certificate to confirm the relevant information.

This certificate will have the following information. Because of this composition, some administrative agencies even recognize it as identification to confirm the person's identity.

  1. Personal facial photo
  2. Name
  3. Date of birth
  4. Office name
  5. Office location
  6. Registration number
  7. Statement that the certificate is issued for a Gyosei-Shoshi registration

The back of the certificate contains some obligations and prohibitions regarding this certificate.

  1. Obligation to carry
  2. Prohibition from lending it to others or giving it to others, etc.
  3. If the Gyosei-Shoshi registration no longer exists, there is an obligation to return the certificate to the Gyosei-Shoshi Association immediately
  4. If there are any changes in the information listed, there is an obligation to promptly carry out the relevant procedures

Check the Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Associations Website

The basic information of Gyosei-Shoshi is published on the official website of the Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Associations, which you can use to check relevant information.

1. Step 1

　First, go to the official website of "Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Associations"

2. Step 2

　Click on "Find a Gyosei-Shoshi(行政書士を探す)" at the top of the page

3. Step 3

　After reading the "Notes on Use(ご利用上の注意)", click "Agree and Search(同意して検索)"

The Gyosei-Shoshi search page has the following fields that can be filled in. According to the data you have, enter the information into each field and then click the "Search(検索)" button. When you scroll down, the corresponding results will appear. If there are more than one result, compare with other data to find the desired result.

  1. Office location
  2. Name
  3. Name (Kana)
  4. Primary business
  5. Specific Gyosei-Shoshi

For example, if I enter my name "梁　豪輝" into the name field and click "Search(検索)", it should immediately display a single result. You can also try it yourself.

Check if the Gyosei-Shoshi is Under Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary actions against Gyosei-Shoshi can generally be divided into the following three categories. If there are any disciplinary actions, the official will publish the content and reasons for the disciplinary action on their website or other platforms.

  1. Warning
  2. Suspension of practice for 2 years or less
  3. Ban from practicing

"Warning" is the lightest form of disciplinary action. If a Gyosei-Shoshi receives a warning, the official will publish the warning and the reasons for the disciplinary action, but at this time the Gyosei-Shoshi can still conduct business normally.

"Suspension of practice for 2 years or less" is a more severe form of disciplinary action. Not only will the content and reasons for the disciplinary action be published, but during this period, the Gyosei-Shoshi will not be allowed to conduct any business related to being a Gyosei-Shoshi.

"Ban from practicing" is the most severe form of disciplinary action. A person who receives a ban from practicing will not only lose their Gyosei-Shoshi title, but also cannot be registered as a Gyosei-Shoshi for the next three years. (Ineligibility)

The simplest way to check is to use a search engine like Google, entering the Gyosei-Shoshi's name and keywords such as "disciplinary action(懲戒)," which should quickly yield results.

Summary

This article has introduced several methods to identify whether someone is a Gyosei-Shoshi. Hopefully, it will help you obtain useful information. If you are looking for a Gyosei-Shoshi or are not confident about the Gyosei-Shoshi you currently know, try using the above methods.