Author: Kei Sumikawa

Introduction: Navigating Real Estate Transactions in Japan
When dealing with real estate transactions in Japan, whether buying or selling, our law office can assist you as your representative. Real estate dealings on foreign soil can be intricate, but our specialized services ensure a smooth process.

1) Selecting the Right Real Estate Agent

Choosing a trustworthy real estate agent is crucial. Selecting the right agent is the most important factor in a real estate transaction, as it can be challenging for the general public (especially foreigners) to understand local regulations and property values.

Be cautious of bad agents, especially with income-producing properties that have high profit margins. Recently, there have been cases where old properties are sold to unknowledgeable buyers at inflated prices. Some vendors promise rent guarantees through subleasing but fail to deliver.

2) Legal Representation for Contract Signing

A typical real estate transaction in Japan involves signing a contract and paying a deposit, followed by settling the balance of the purchase price at a later date (e.g., one month later). This requires the seller and buyer to meet twice, at the time of contract signing.

For clients unable to travel to Japan just to sign a contract, our qualified attorney can act as your representative. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, we can review the legal aspects and sign the contract on your behalf.

3) Expert Support for Post-Transaction Matters

Even after contract signing, complexities remain in property registration and tax procedures. We can connect you with English-speaking professionals to ensure effective communication during these crucial stages.

Please Note: Property selection remains your responsibility. We urge you to engage in thorough discussions with real estate agents and make informed decisions aligned with your goals, as we do not provide guarantees.

Our office is located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture (next to Tokyo). Therefore, in principle, our office can provide support for real estate transactions only in the vicinity of Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture. For support in other areas, costs may be higher due to travel fees, etc.

When you create a notarized will at a Japanese Notary Public’s office, the notary will prepare three types of wills: original document, authenticated copy, and certified copy. The differences are as follows

(1) Original document (GENPON)

The “original document” of a notarized will is the will signed and sealed by the testator, witnesses, interpreter, and notary respectively. This is the original document, and only one original exists in the world. The original is kept at the notary office and is not provided to the testator.

(2) Authenticated copy (SEIHON)

When a notarized will is prepared, the notary public prepares an “authenticated copy”, which has the same effect as the original, and provides it to the testator.

The authenticated copy will be used to execute the will, so if an executor has been designated, it would be smooth to hand over the authenticated copy to the executor.

If the authenticated copy is lost, it can be reissued at the notary public’s office.

(3) Certified copy (TOUHON)

The notary public also prepares a “certified copy” and provides it to the testator. A certified copy is also a copy of the original, but it does not have the same effect as the authenticated copy. A certified copy will not be accepted for procedures at financial institutions (cancellation of the accounts) or legal affairs bureaus (registration of the real estates).

For this reason, it is advisable to keep the above mentioned authenticated copy strictly so as not to lose it, and to check the certified copy when the need arises to confirm the contents of the will.

Related Articles

Leaving a Will (Testament) in Japan
Cost for Creating a NOTARY DEED WILL

If you are delinquent on your cell phone bill, a new cell phone contract may be restricted.

Arrears include either (or both) of the following.

1) Telephone line payments
Call charges and data charges for a phone line

2) Machine unit payments
Installment payments for the the cell phone machine (e.g., iPhone).

For each of these charges, there is an organization that manages credit information.

1) Telephone line payments

If you pay off the past-due phone line charges, you may be able to sign a new line contract. (However, some phone companies may not allow you to sign a new contract.)

2) Machine unit payments

If you are delinquent in paying installment payments for the your cell phone machine (such as an iPhone), your ability to make purchases by installment payments will be restricted until your credit information is deleted. In most cases, you will also not be approved for new credit cards or loans, even if these are separate from the phone contracts.

3) Deletion of Credit Report

Generally, credit information is retained for five years after it is paid off.
This information cannot be deleted earlier.

4) Alternative method

If you are unable to have a new cell phone contract, you will only be able to use a prepaid cell phone.