The advantage of drafting a will in Japan is that the drafter can choose who to give his or her assets to and in what amounts. However, there are limits on how freely property can be distributed after death in Japan. Japanese law dictates that, regardless of what is stated in a will, spouses and children are entitled to part of the decedent’s estate. This minimum is set by law and can be claimed by spouses and children upon request to the court.
There are many other laws that apply to inheritance in Japan that could affect how much each successor receives. If you have any questions regarding inheritance, please contact our office for a consultation.