News & Blog

May 29, 2017

What types of bicycle laws are there in Japan?

Laws relating to bicycles in Japan are not always enforced, but the failure to follow the following rules could result in a 20,000 yen fine.  Bikes must use a designated bike lane if available; otherwise they should stay on the half of the sidewalk closer to the curb.  When biking on the sidewalk you must stop the bike if continuing would block the passage of pedestrians and you must keep at a slow enough speed so it is possible to stop the bike immediately.
May 26, 2017

Is it important to set an installment payment schedule with a debtor?

Establishing a payment plan with a debtor has several advantages.  First, by breaking up a larger payment into smaller installments, it allows the debtor to make more realistic payments and removes the temptation to stop payment because the value of the debt is too high to pay off entirely.  Additionally, being able to show that a debtor has may progress in making installment payments toward the full value of the debt can be used as strong evidence in court that the debtor acknowledges the full value of the debt and has promised to pay.
May 24, 2017

What happens if there is a mistake in the complaint?

The complaint is one of the most critical documents filed in litigation.  It is the first filing made by the plaintiff and contains the plaintiff’s goals, reasoning and supporting evidence.  It is also the first document received by the defendant to inform him or her about the litigation.  Therefore, a mistake in the complaint can have drastic consequences.
May 22, 2017

Is there any way to prove paternity through the family court in Japan?

Normally, a child born in wedlock, or within 200 days of the start of a marriage, or 300 days from the dissolution of a marriage, will be presumed to be the child of the husband.  However, in the case of a child born outside of these circumstances the court may order a paternity test to determine the father of the child in order to assign responsibility for child support.