Author: Kei Sumikawa

Attorney at Law (Sumikawa Law Office), Kawasaki city, Japan

Golden Week vacation

We are in the Golden Week period, which is a long vacation for Japanese people (maybe not that much long for foreign people, though).

Our office is on vacation from 28 April to 1 May, and 3  to 6 May ( I’ll be at the office on 2 May).

I’m spending my vacation at Okushiga Kogen resort in Nagano prefecture. Okushiga Kogen is  at a height of 1500-2000m above sea level and you can still enjoy skiing. There’s plenty of snow left on the slope, but I’ll stay on the sofa for today.

Though I’m on my vacation, I have my PC with me, so feel free to make contact  by email.

About Japanese Hanko (seal)

In Japan, we use “hanko” (seals) in place of signatures. Hanko is more trusted than a signature in Japan, and having your own hanko may be necessary if you are living in Japan.

Once you get your own hanko, it is very important that you handle it with caution and keep it in a safe place. Unlike signatures (which is hard to forge), anyone can easily use your hanko, and it is indistinguishable who actually used the hanko. If somebody else uses your hanko on any contract sheet, it is estimated that YOU have agreed the contract, and you will have to take responsibility about the contract.

So, you should not easily put your hanko into someone’s hands.

If you are involved in a legal trouble related to using hanko, be sure to consult an attorney as soon as possible.

The Last Week of March

In Japan, goverment’s fiscal year starts from April. So, many judges and clerks are transferred between the courts around the country on the beginning of April. For this reason, only a few meetings are held at the court during this time.

So, lawyers should be vacant at this time, but lawyers regularly squirrel many paperworks away in a closet, so they have tons of things to do anyway.

Fortunately, we have some vacant time for the next two weeks. Feel free to contact us for consultation.