A Checklist for Court Documents Received in Japan

Do not ignore a document because you cannot read it. Do not rely on a machine translation to decide the legal effect of the document. Preserve what you received and confirm the required action with the court or a qualified professional.

This publication gives general information, not legal advice.

Keep the complete delivery set

Save the envelope, delivery notice, cover letter, every numbered page, and every attachment. Write the date and time when you received or collected it. If another person received it, record that fact without changing the document.

Make a working copy. Keep the original pages in their received order. Do not write notes, highlight text, or remove staples from the original unless the responsible office tells you to do so.

Copy visible identifiers exactly

Make a separate note with:

• the court name and department;
• the case number;
• the names of the parties as printed;
• each hearing, submission, payment, or contact date;
• the telephone number and address printed by the court; and
• the title of each form or attachment.

Do not calculate an unstated deadline by yourself. Do not assume that a telephone call changes a written date. Ask how any new instruction will be confirmed.

Know the language limit

The Supreme Court of Japan states in its Questions and Answers on Civil Procedure that court proceedings are conducted in Japanese. Its English judicial-system page provides general outlines and frequently asked questions, but many forms and case-specific communications remain in Japanese.

An informal translation can help you identify sections. It does not replace the original or advice about the document. Ask whether a formal translation, interpreter, representative, or particular Japanese form is necessary for your procedure.

Contact a verified route

Use the contact details printed on the document, but verify them against the official court website if fraud is possible. Give the court the case number when you ask for procedure information. Do not expect court staff to choose your legal position or give advice for your case.

If you need help finding a legal consultation route, use the Japan Legal Support Center English information service. Take the original document, envelope, your working copy, and your list of dates to any consultation.