Is it necessary to have a foreign judgment before collecting a debt in Japan?

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Having a judgment against a debtor is one of the most solid pieces of evidence of a debt that a creditor can produce.  However, obtaining a judgment against a debtor can often be a time consuming and expensive process, regardless of where the lawsuit was filed.  Therefore, it sometimes is more efficient for the creditor simply to attempt to enforce the debt without first obtaining a court judgment.

If the creditor does not have a court judgment to rely on as evidence of the debt, it is important to provide as much solid evidence of the debtor’s obligation as possible.  Ideally, this will include a breached contract, email communication between the debtor and creditor and a written promise by the debtor to pay the full amount of the debt.

If you have any questions about enforcing a debt in Japan, please contact our office to set up a legal consultation.