Legal Advice in English (Japan)

We are recently receiving an increasing number of enquiries about obtaining certificates of marriage or divorce in Japan. There are several documents to prove marriage or divorce in Japan. If you need assistance from a Japanese attorney, see this webpage.

Certificate of Marriage or Divorce in Japan | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Certificate of Marriage or Divorce in JapanIn Japan, there are no exact documents named Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree (except in the case of divorce through a court procedure.). Instead, the marriage or divorce status in Japan can be proven by the following documents:1) Certified Copy of Fa...

Information on free WiFi available in Japan in the event of a disaster. Those who encounter a disaster while traveling may feel anxious, but please gather information to ensure your own safety.

Emergency Free Wi-Fi Service 00000JAPAN In the event of a disaster, there is a Free Wi-Fi Connection called 00000JAPAN (Five Zero Japan). As it is open for everyone to use there are a few things you need to know about securing your information when using it.

When you create a notarized will at a Japanese Notary Public’s office, the notary will prepare three types of wills: original document, authenticated copy, and certified copy.

Difference between original (GENPON), authenticated copy (SEIHON) and certified copy (TOUHON)| Notarized Wills in Japan | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Difference between original (GENPON), authenticated copy (SEIHON) and certified copy (TOUHON)| Notarized Wills in JapanWhen you create a notarized will at a Japanese Notary Public’s office, the notary will prepare three types of wills: original document, authenticated copy, and certified copy. The...

If you are delinquent on your cell phone bill, a new cell phone contract (or a new credit card or loan) may be restricted.

Here is a brief article about denial of new cell phone contract due to delinquent payments in Japan.

Denial of new cell phone contract due to delinquent payments | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Denial of new cell phone contract due to delinquent paymentsIf you are delinquent on your cell phone bill, a new cell phone contract may be restricted.Arrears include either (or both) of the following.1) Telephone line payments Call charges and data charges for a phone line2) Machine unit payments I...

＜多言語（たげんご）ブログ「外国人（がいこくじん）のための　市営住宅（しえいじゅうたく）　申込（もうしこ）みについての　説明会（せつめいかい）」【One-day Seminar for Non-Japanese - Public Housing】＞
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/

【One-day Seminar for Non-Japanese - Public Housing】
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat6/
市营住宅申请研讨会的召开
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat7/
Seminario de solicitud de alquiler de las viviendas públicas municipales
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat8/
Vamos realizar um seminário para como inscrever para a residência municipal de Kawasaki
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat9/
Vamos realizar um seminário para como inscrever para a residência municipal de Kawasaki
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat9/
"Seminar para sa aplikasyon ng pampublikong pabahay"
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat10/
【가와사키시 시영주택 신청 세미나 개최】
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat11/
【가와사키시 시영주택 신청 세미나 개최】
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat11/
【สัมมนาเกี่ยวกับการกรอกแบบฟอร์มเพื่อขอพักอาศัยที่อยู่ของเขตเทศบาล】
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat12/
Buổi hướng dẫn cách ghi Đơn đăng ký nhà ở do Thành phố Kawasaki quản lý
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat13/
【नगरपालिका आवास आवेदन सेमिनार आयोजना हुँदै 】
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat14/
Penjelasan Tentang Cara Pengisian Formulir Pendaftaran Perumahan Pemerintah Kota
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat15/
「外国人（がいこくじん）のための　市営住宅（しえいじゅうたく）　申込（もうしこ）みについての　説明会（せつめいかい）」
https://www.kian.or.jp/blog/kian/cat5/

The revised Road Traffic Act (Japan) came into effect on April 1, 2023. The requirements for bicycle riders to comply has been changed, especially, about wearing helmets.
https://sumikawa.net/helmets-now-required-for-bicyclists/

Helmets now required for bicyclists | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Helmets now required for bicyclistsThe revised Road Traffic Act (Japan) came into effect on April 1, 2023. The requirements for bicycle riders to comply has been changed, especially, helmets.Road Traffic Act(Compliance requirements for bicycle riders, etc.)Article 63-11 A bicycle rider shall make ef...

Yokohama Seasider, the magazine published in Yokohama, interviewed us for a feature article.

In recent years, more and more foreigners are requiring legal support for their real estate in Japan. We hope to continue to support more foreigners in the future by working with business partners who are foreigner friendly and are fluent in English.

https://www.yokohamaseasider.com/december-2022/

December 2022 – Seasider December 2022 0 By Seasider on December 2, 2022 Magazines This month’s Seasider steps back in time for glimpses of Yokohama’s heritage. We also expand our focus to Kawasaki: our northern neighbor boasts an idealistic lawyer working in tandem with a globally-minded Yokohama businessman. Together ...

We have created a web page in Portuguese about obtaining Marriage/Divorce Certificates in Japan.

Acrescentámos uma página web em português sobre a obtenção de Certidões de Casamento/Divórcio no Japão.

https://sumikawa.net/certidao-de-casamento-divorcio-marriage-divorce-certificate-portuguese/

Certidão de Casamento/Divórcio | Marriage/Divorce Certificate (Portuguese) | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Certidão de Casamento/Divórcio | Marriage/Divorce Certificate (Portuguese)We added a web page in Portuguese about obtaining Marriage/Divorce Certificates in Japan. (See here for English information.)Acrescentámos uma página web em português sobre a obtenção de Certidões de Casamento/Divórci...

Some people wish to change their surname in Japan in order to match their spouse's surname. We have provided a brief explanation of how to do this. (In some cases, this may not be possible.)
https://sumikawa.net/changing-the-last-name-in-japan/

Changing the Last Name in Japan | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Changing the Last Name in JapanWe do not handle immigration procedures. For naturalization and other procedures, please find another specialist. The below article is just for your information.1) NaturalizationIf you change your nationality to Japan, your last name can be changed. If you are married....

We have updated our Portuguese page on divorce, inheritance, traffic accidents, and debt issues in Japan.

Actualizámos a nossa página portuguesa sobre divórcio, sucessões, acidentes de trânsito e questões de dívida no Japão.

Portuguese page has been updated | A página portuguesa foi actualizada. | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan Portuguese page has been updated | A página portuguesa foi actualizada.Consultoria Jurídica em português no JapãoPublished by Kei Sumikawa Attorney at Law (Sumikawa Law Office), Kawasaki city, Japan View all posts by Kei Sumikawa Posted on 2022/05/09Author Kei Sumikawa

Procedures Required to Purchase and Export Used Cars in Japan

https://onestop-kawasaki.com/2021/10/22/many-procedures-are-required-to-purchase-used-cars-in-japan-and-export-them/

Procedures Required to Purchase and Export Used Cars in Japan – One-stop Business Startup in Kawasaki (Japan) Procedures Required to Purchase and Export Used Cars in Japan We receive many inquiries about starting business to sell Japanese used cars overseas. Since many Japanese people treat their cars as carefully as possible (for example, the bumpers of Japanese cars are often scratch-free), it seems that....

Here is the information about obtaining an Official Certificate of Marriage or Divorce in Japan.
https://sumikawa.net/legal-services/official-certificate-of-marriage-and-divorce-in-japan/

How to obtain Official Certificate of Marriage or Divorce in Japan | English speaking attorney (lawyer) in Japan How to obtain Official Certificate of Marriage or Divorce in JapanIn Japan, there are no exact documents named Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree (except in the case of divorce through a court procedure.). Instead, the marriage or divorce status in Japan can be proven by the following documents:...

https://twitter.com/ACSTokyo/status/1432833107166576643?s=20

U.S. Embassy Tokyo, ACS on Twitter “September 1 is Day #防災の日 in . In the event of a natural disaster, it’s important that you have access to information you need in English. Download these useful apps and subscribe to our social media for the latest information. ”