general practice Archives - Page 4 of 13

August 31, 2017

Is it possible to leave property to a pet in a will?

It is not uncommon for people to find themselves in the twilight years of their life to worry that their pet may outlive them. People in these circumstances will naturally worry about who will take care of their pet after their death and wish to provide the necessary assets to ensure that their pet can continue to live a comfortable life even after its owner’s passing. However, it is not possible to leave assets to a pet through a will in Japan. Japanese probate laws mandate that the recipient of assets from a will must be a “person.” Furthermore, pets […]

August 7, 2017

Are there any bike safety laws in Japan?

Japanese law mandates that certain safety equipment should be prepared before riding a bike in Japan. Neglecting to use headlights on a bicycle between sunset and sunrise could result in a fine up to 50,000 yen. Also, children should always have a helmet, whether they are driving the bike or merely riding in the back seat.

August 1, 2017

What types of cases do public prosecutors handle in Japan?

Public prosecutors in Japan handle a variety of cases but in general they are split between two types: violations of Japan’s penal code (criminal cases) and violations of traffic laws. Statistically, the numbers of these cases are similar but criminal cases make up a small majority.

July 13, 2017

Is it OK for a parent and two children to ride together on a bike?

There are special laws relating to multiple people riding on a single bicycle. Breaking one of these rules can result in a fine of up to 20,000 yen. Normally, only one person should ride a bicycle at a time, but a rider over 16 years of age may carry up to two additional preschoolers (6 years or under) on specialized seats on the bike or somehow securely attached to the driver (if under 4 years).