LAWYERS HANDS-ON THROUGHOUT

Our attorney with 15+ years’ experience handles debt collection in Japan.

20% COMMISSION (INCL. TAX)

Our fee is 20% of the recovered amount, plus tax.

NO COLLECTION, NO FEE

If we don’t recover any, you don’t pay us any. Risk-free debt collection.

Collecting a debt in Japan can be a significant challenge for international creditors. You will face language barriers, unfamiliar business practices and a different legal system. In particular, where debtors are uncooperative or deliberately evade payment, seeking advice from an English-speaking Japanese lawyer is often the best way to pursue successful debt recovery in Japan.

Miyake Law offers to recover commercial debts exceeding ¥5 million (approximately US$33,000) on a ‘no collection, no fee’ basis. Our approach is bespoke. We take on a limited number of cases and devote substantial time and attention to each case. Every case is personally handled by the founding attorney, Atsushi Miyake, who previously worked at a leading boutique law firm.

The 3 stages of debt collection in Japan

1. Demand letter

We send a demand letter to the debtor to let them know (i) the attorney has formally taken on the case and (ii) the case will be brought to court if the debt is not settled. We add the interest agreed in the contract (if any) or a 3% statutory interest on your claim.

2. Court order

If the debtor ignores our demand letter, we will apply to the summary court for a payment order. You will obtain an enforceable court order in 5-6 weeks, unless the debtor formally objects.

3. Enforcement

If the debtor does not comply with the court order, we will enforce it against the debtor’s assets, such as real property and bank accounts. After obtaining the court order, the law allows us to trace the debtor’s assets using more effective means.

These 3 stages provide a basic framework for debt collection in Japan. We tailor our approach to each case by combining the most appropriate options based on the circumstances. Our debt recovery service optionally includes:

  • Tracing the debtor
  • Real property & bank account searches
  • Provisional attachment
  • Settlement by notarial deed
  • Pre-action court settlement under Article 275 of the CCP
  • Applying for asset disclosure procedure
A demand letter for debt collection in Japan

What is the process behind debt collection in Japan?

No collection, no fee

We act on a ‘no collection, no fee’ commission basis to collect undisputed debts. This covers all three stages of our debt recovery service, together with the most appropriate options for each case. Our commission (i.e. success fee) is 20% plus tax.

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Scope Commission
Stages 1 to 3, plus appropriate options 20%

* The 10% consumption tax is excluded.
* Disbursements and expenses (court fees etc.) are excluded.

Case 1

¥10 million, 3-year-old debt, 10% agreed interest rate (per annum).

We send a demand letter claiming ¥13 million (¥10 million plus agreed interest). The debtor ignores it, so we apply for a court order. The debtor does not object to the application but hides their money. We apply for asset disclosure procedure and identify the debtor’s accounts receivable. The debtor then voluntarily pays, and we recover ¥13 million. Our fee is ¥2,860,000 (incl. 10% consumption tax) (= ¥13 million × 22%), leaving you ¥10,140,000.

Case 2

¥50 million, 1-year-old debt, no agreed interest rate.

We identify the debtor’s bank accounts and apply for provisional attachment. We subsequently negotiate a settlement under which the debtor agrees to pay ¥30 million in instalments. The debtor makes all payments as agreed, and we recover ¥30 million. Our fee is ¥6.6 million (incl. 10% consumption tax) (= ¥30 million × 22%), leaving you ¥23.4 million.

Membership & recognition

How do I get started?

1. You email us at info@miyake.law with evidence (i.e. the contract, invoices…).

2. We assess your case by scrutinising the evidence. We may request further information if needed.

3. If we accept your case, we propose a tailored debt recovery package.

4. If you are happy with our proposal, you sign an engagement letter to instruct us.