Top Military Defense Lawyers for U.S. Service Members Stationed in Japan

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law, is a globally recognized criminal defense firm that specializes in representing U.S. military personnel facing legal battles under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Our firm aggressively defends service members stationed throughout Japan, including at Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps bases.

Whether you are facing a court-martial, an Article 15, NJP, GOMOR, or administrative separation, our attorneys are known for delivering results and protecting the careers, reputations, and freedoms of American service members abroad.

Our founding attorneys, Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, are among the most experienced and highly rated military defense lawyers in the world.

They have built a reputation as top-tier trial lawyers through decades of defending high-profile and complex military cases. Both are published legal authors, frequently consulted by the media, and have handled cases across more than 30 countries, including numerous successful defenses in Japan-based U.S. military courts. Their expertise is trusted by service members of all ranks and branches, from junior enlisted personnel to senior officers.

We defend U.S. service members at Yokota Air Base, Misawa Air Base, Kadena Air Base, MCAS Iwakuni, Camp Zama, Camp Foster, Camp Hansen, Torii Station, and all other U.S. military installations across Japan.
We handle court-martial trials, Article 120 and sex crime allegations, UCMJ violations, NJP/Article 15s, administrative separation boards, and Board of Inquiry (BOI) hearings.
Our legal team has successfully defended cases involving sexual assault, fraternization, drug offenses, classified materials, war crimes, and other serious allegations.
Michael and Alexandra are known for taking on tough cases and winning — even when the odds are stacked against the accused.
We are independent civilian attorneys, not bound by the military chain of command, giving our clients a critical legal advantage in hostile environments.

Aggressive Japan Court-Martial Defense Attorneys

If you are stationed in Japan and under investigation or facing military charges, Gonzalez & Waddington will fight to protect your rights. Our experience, courtroom skill, and aggressive defense strategies have helped countless military clients avoid convictions, retain their careers, and clear their names.

Our military defense lawyers defend military cases at the following installations in Japan:

When You Need a Court Martial Lawyer in Japan

Our court-martial defense attorneys have successfully defended military members in Japan.

The experienced court-martial attorneys at Gonzalez & Waddington have earned a reputation for representing military personnel at installations worldwide, including those of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. If you are stationed in Japan and are under investigation for a military crime, then retaining a skilled and experienced military attorney can mean the difference between losing your career and family versus winning your case or preserving your career. Our military criminal defense attorneys represent Japanese military personnel in both criminal and administrative matters to include representing military personnel accused of sexual assault, drug offenses, and other crimes under the UCMJ.

This film is a perfect example of why it is essential to retain the best military criminal defense attorneys possible.

Our criminal defense attorneys defend false accusations of rape, child abuse, and sexual assault under Article 120 UCMJ, 120b UCMJ, and 120c UCMJ.

Unlike the majority of civilian-military defense lawyers or your free military attorney, pleading guilty is an option of last resort. When we are retained, we compel the military to prove its case. We take just about every case to trial and fight the allegations in front of a jury.

Our military court martial victories speak for themselves. The accused military service member and his or her well-being are our chief concern. Our military defense lawyers maintain lighter caseloads than the typical free defense lawyer, allowing us to concentrate on each trial on an individual basis. Your case will not be outsourced to a random lawyer, and we will not force you into pleading guilty at the last minute. Our Japan military defense lawyers have successfully represented clients in military court-martial and administrative separation cases in the United States and internationally.

Japan Court Martial Lawyers

Our high-powered Article 120 UCMJ defense lawyers will utilize their experience to fight your court-martial or ADSEP case in Japan.

Call today to speak with an experienced court-martial defense lawyer.

Service members working in Japan deserve the best court-martial attorneys possible to represent them at their trial or administrative separation hearing.

If you or a loved one is stationed in Japan and is suspected of a UCMJ crime, such as sexual assault, or if you are confronted with an administrative discharge, Article 15, elimination board, or letter of reprimand, then contact our military defense attorneys right away.

Click here for legal resources: AFI 51-201: Admin of Military Justice – Supreme Court of the United States

Japan – the Land of the Rising Sun

Japan is situated off the Korean Peninsula and the coast of Russia in the North Pacific. Its size is smaller than that of California. Japan comprises over 4,000 small islands and four large islands. The main islands are Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido. Among these four islands, with an area of approximately 2 million kilometers, Honshu is the largest. Tokyo, Japan’s capital and a megacity, is situated on the island of Honshu.

The area in which the islands of this nation are located is called the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is the area where most volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. Japan experiences very high seismic activity, with over 1,500 earthquakes per year.

Japan is a constitutional monarchy. About 98% of the population consists of people who are ethnically Japanese. Japan is a member of APEC, G8, and ASEAN Plus 3. It has an active security, economic, and military alliance with the U.S.

Military Details

The Japan Self-Defense Forces, also referred to as SDF, JDF, and JSF, are the military forces of Japan that were formed in 1954. It has three military branches: the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. As for military units, it has five armies, five maritime districts, and three air defense forces.

U.S. Military Bases in Japan: Legal Overview and Defense Resources

Japan is home to several major U.S. military installations across the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. These bases support tens of thousands of American service members, dependents, and civilian employees. When legal trouble arises—whether it’s a court-martial, NJP (non-judicial punishment), administrative separation, or other UCMJ action—service members in Japan have the right to consult with a civilian military defense lawyer to protect their rights, career, and freedom.

While on-base JAG attorneys can provide basic legal services, they operate within the military chain of command. When facing serious allegations, many service members turn to independent civilian military defense lawyers with global experience in UCMJ, court-martial, and administrative defense. Below is an overview of key U.S. bases in Japan and the types of legal cases that often arise there.

U.S. Air Force Bases in Japan

Kadena Air Base – Okinawa

Kadena is the largest U.S. Air Force base in the Pacific. Home to the 18th Wing, it hosts over 8,000 airmen, soldiers, Marines, and sailors, as well as more than 12,000 family members and contractors. Legal issues common here include sexual assault allegations (Article 120), administrative actions, drug charges, and disciplinary issues under Japanese-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) constraints.

Kadena’s strategic role and volume of personnel mean legal matters are often high-profile, and service members under investigation are strongly encouraged to consult a civilian defense lawyer early in the process.

Misawa Air Base – Honshu

Misawa is a joint Japanese-American installation and home to the 35th Fighter Wing. It houses around 6,000 American personnel and plays a major role in surveillance, reconnaissance, and satellite operations. The base sees a range of UCMJ-related cases, including fraternization, alcohol-related misconduct, and cybercrime allegations. Misawa service members should seek immediate legal counsel when accused of misconduct to ensure their rights are preserved.

U.S. Army Installations in Japan

Camp Zama – Kanagawa Prefecture

Located near Tokyo, Camp Zama serves as the headquarters for U.S. Army Japan. It includes administrative buildings, shopping areas, and critical logistical support functions. Soldiers stationed here may face administrative separation boards, GOMORs (Letters of Reprimand), or UCMJ action for incidents occurring on or off post. Civilian military attorneys with experience in Japanese jurisdiction and Army regulations are essential for handling complex military legal issues arising here.

Torii Station – Okinawa

Torii Station is home to key U.S. Army units including the 10th Support Group and the 58th Signal Battalion. It provides logistical and communications support for the Pacific theater and serves a dual military and civil purpose for Okinawa. Legal cases here range from command-directed investigations to NJP, sexual harassment allegations, and separation boards. Given the unique blend of mission-critical operations and community interaction, early legal intervention is critical for service members under scrutiny.

Legal Rights & Civilian Defense Lawyers in Japan

U.S. service members stationed in Japan have the right to retain a civilian military defense lawyer, even while overseas. These attorneys operate outside the command structure, offering confidential, aggressive representation in matters ranging from Article 120 sexual assault and fraternization to positive urinalysis and command-directed investigations.

Civilian lawyers experienced in Japanese SOFA rules, international operations, and military courts provide an essential layer of protection. They often work closely with military counsel and have experience navigating the political and cultural nuances that can affect overseas prosecutions.

Need help now? Contact one of the top-rated global military defense lawyers serving U.S. forces in Japan:

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law

📍 Global Practice – Serving Kadena, Misawa, Camp Zama, and Torii Station

📞 1-800-921-8607

🌐 https://ucmjmilitarylaw.com

Attorneys Michael Waddington and Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington are among the most experienced and highly-rated civilian military defense lawyers in the world. They have defended service members in Japan and across the globe in some of the military’s toughest cases.