FAQ Archives - Page 5 of 13 - Ohara & Furukawa

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 10, 2017

Are charitable gifts subject to Japanese inheritance tax?

Sometimes a will specifies that part of the estate should be given to a religious organization or a charity. In these cases, if the inheritor meets certain conditions, the religious organization or charity may not need to pay any inheritance taxes. This rule encourages people to leave their money to charities or other worthwhile causes.

April 19, 2017

Is a lawyer necessary for accidents in Japan?

In assigning responsibility for accidents it is not always clear who the negligent party is. In many cases there will have been a string of incidents leading up to the accident in question and there may be multiple cases of careless behavior. Having an attorney help with litigation or negotiation related to an accident in Japan can help make it clear what each parties’ legal responsibilities are.

March 31, 2017

Do foreign heirs have to pay Japanese inheritance tax?

The burden to pay Japanese inheritance tax falls on the heirs, not on the estate itself. However, in some cases, the heirs may not live in Japan and therefore would not normally be subject to Japanese tax. Therefore, for inheritance tax purposes, non-resident heirs are considered “limited taxpayers” and are subject to tax on any assets they inherit located in Japan.