British Japan Consular Service

Britain had a functioning consular service in Japan from 1859 after the signing of the 1858 Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity and Commerce between James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and the Tokugawa Shogunate until 1941 when Japan invaded the British colonial empire and declared war on the United Kingdom.

The Consular Service was established with officials who were expected to serve their entire careers in Japan.

Until 1865 appeals from decisions of consular officials were made to the Supreme Court of Hong Kong.

From 1865 appeals from decisions could be made to the British Supreme Court for China and Japan in Shanghai.

From 1871 to 1878 a judge from Shanghai was based in Yokohama sitting first as a branch of the British Supreme Court for China and Japan.