FAQ

February 24, 2016

Is there a way to enforce a US money judgment in Japan?

One of the ways to enforce a debt in Japan is to prove the debtor’s liability with a foreign court judgment establishing the debt. However, in many of these cases the transaction that gave rise to the debt often occurred in a foreign country. In such circumstances the foreign payment order should be enforced in the court with jurisdiction over where the debtor lives in Japan or where the debtor owns property in Japan. Although getting recognition of a foreign debt is a relatively simple process, the foreign judgment will still have to meet the requirements to be enforced under […]
February 24, 2016

Are there any protections to prevent organized crime from participating in debt collection?

Traditionally, Japanese debt collection has been a commercial sector dominated by organized crime. Many debt collection agencies were associated with, or run by, the Japanese mafia.
February 24, 2016

What types of disputes can be resolved through arbitration?

Arbitration is a very flexible and powerful tool for resolving many different kinds of disagreements but it does not apply to every type of legal dispute. Generally, arbitration agreements apply to civil disputes that can normally be resolved through a settlement agreement.
February 24, 2016

What law governs arbitration agreements in Japan?

The Japan Arbitration Act governs arbitrations in Japan. In general the Act is similar to the arbitration laws of other countries because it is based upon the 1985 UNCITRAL Model Law. However, the Act differs in some key respects such as consumer protection and labor issues to reflect circumstances unique to Japan.