Category: English speaking lawyer in Japan

When receiving requests from international entities pertaining to debt collection and related matters, there are instances where the client lacks knowledge of the official name of the Japanese company involved in the transaction.

When engaging in business activities with a Japanese company, it is imperative to verify the corporate registration details. The corporate registry is accessible to the public, and a certified copy can be obtained through the Legal Affairs Bureau.

This registration encompasses crucial information such as the company’s head office address, as well as the name and address of its representative. Often, confirmation of the official company name necessitates referencing the corporate registration.

The existence of a valid corporate registration assures that the transaction’s counterparty is a legitimate entity, eliminating the risk of dealing with a fictitious counterpart. Additionally, knowledge of the representative’s address is gained through this process. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to request the counterparty to furnish a certified copy of the registration before finalizing any contractual agreements.

Even after starting an international transaction, it is recommended to obtain a copy of the company’s corporate registration if trouble is anticipated. Our firm can also obtain the corporate registration upon request.

In Japan, many law firms take their year-end and New Year holidays in conjunction with the court holidays. The court holidays for the new year 2024 is from December 29 to January 3, , which is stipulated in Article 1, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the law concerning court holidays.

However, since the second Monday of January is a national holiday (“Coming of Age Day”), some law firms take a slightly longer vacation and begin business on January 9.

Our office will be open from January 5th Friday (2024).

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.

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