International Support
Real Estate Transactions
Inheritance
Visas & Incorporation

Real Estate Transactions

About real estate transactions involving foreign nationals

As Japan becomes more global, each year more foreign nationals are becoming long-term residents in Japan. Several international investors have also identified Japanese real estate as an opportunity.

While there is rising interest in Japanese real estate, buying and selling real estate for foreign nationals in Japan is widely considered to be complicated. However, in reality it is not considerably different from the process for Japanese citizens.

The important difference is that when preparing the documents required for registration, various documents are required, sometimes including certain official documents issued by foreign governments, and everything must be carefully prepared in a format that will satisfy the relevant legal affairs bureau.

Our strengths

Since opening our Singapore office in 2012, our firm has been involved in a high volume of Japanese real estate transactions for foreign nationals from Singapore, China, Korea and several other countries.

Whether you are looking to purchase, sell, or transfer ownership of Japanese real estate, we have consultants who can provide professional assistance in English, Chinese and Korean.

We also provide professional legal translation of paperwork as well as consecutive interpreting service. Our mission is to provide the highest standard of international real estate transaction support available in Japan.

Process

Step 1
Free consultation
Contact us by phone or email to schedule a free consultation.
Tokyo: +81 (0)3-3234-1077
Osaka: +81 (0)6-6362-3003
Email: info@st-kokusai.com
Step 2
Estimate
We will provide a fee estimate based on your needs.
Step 3
Contract
Upon being contracted by the client, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the real estate and commence the registration procedures.
Step 4
Apply for registration
After confirming all documents and the intentions of all involved parties on closing (settlement) day, we will promptly apply for registration.
Step 5
Registration complete
After completing the real estate registration procedures, we promptly deliver the completed documents along with translations to the client after final confirmation of the title deed certificate and real property registration certificate.

Inheritance Settlement

About inheritance settlement for foreign nationals

As more foreign nationals become lifelong residents of Japan, each year we receive increasing requests for settlement of inheritance.

When a foreign national passes away in Japan, there are several documents that must be obtained to confirm family relationships in order to file for inheritance registration. Inheritance procedures must be performed in a timely manner, as inheritance tax is due 10 months from the date heir(s) become aware of the decedent’s passing.

Our strengths

As a leading provider of inheritance support for foreign nationals, in 2018 STK Legal began Legacy Tomodachi, a new service to help foreign nationals with matters of inheritance in Japan.

With a professional team including consultants who are native speakers of English, Chinese and Korean, we have a wealth of experience in handling inheritance cases for foreign nationals.

Our team has unparalleled experience helping with matters of Japanese inheritance, including foreign national heir(s) of Japanese inheritance, or when a foreign national passes away in Japan. We provide full support of legal procedures related to inheritance, changes to Japanese koseki (family register), acquisition of necessary certificates, and legal translation and interpretation services.

Visit Legacy Tomodachi to learn more about Japanese inheritance, including important things to know about the validity of wills, legacy planning, and the implications of Japanese inheritance tax on foreign nationals.

Legacy Tomodachi is operated by the STK Legal team. With content curated by licensed professionals (judicial scriveners and certified Japan CPA’s), we aim to be the foremost resource for information on inheritance in Japan.

Process

Step 1
Free consultation
Contact us by phone or email to schedule a free consultation.
Tokyo: +81 (0)3-3234-1077
Osaka: +81 (0)6-6362-3003
Email: info@st-kokusai.com
Step 2
Estimate
We will provide a fee estimate based on your needs.
Step 3
Contract
Upon being contracted by the client, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the heirs and assets (real estate, bank accounts, other assets), and begin preparing necessary documents for inheritance registration.
Step 4
Apply for registration
After confirming all necessary documents, we will promptly apply for registration.
Step 5
Registration complete
Upon completion of registration, we will promptly deliver all documents to the client after final review.

Case studies

South Korean national

Case

A South Korean national (A) who was a lifelong resident of Japan passed away. The two heirs are A’s wife (B), who holds Japanese citizenship, and their child (C), who is a South Korean national.

For the inheritance registration of A’s real estate, a copy of A’s South Korean family register has to be submitted to the Japanese authorities. However, on A’s South Korean family register, A’s death has not been recorded, there is no record of marriage with B, and there is no proof of South Korean citizenship for C.

Solution

First, A’s death, marriage with B, and establishment of C’s citizenship were recorded on South Korea family register through negotiation by our specialist staff.

We then assembled proof identifying B and C as the sole heirs, and a prepared a sworn statement to submit to the Legal Affairs Bureau. The inheritance registration was successfully completed.

Chinese national

Case

The husband of a Chinese family living in Japan passed away. The two heirs were the wife and their child.

The heirs tried to collect the documents needed for the inheritance registration of real estate, but they needed to prepare a government-issued document from China that could not be attained.

Solution

We successfully completed inheritance registration by negotiating with the local Legal Affairs Bureau, submitting all available documents, and attaching a petition stating the situation regarding inability to submit all required documents.

We delivered the completed inheritance registration documents to the customer, and were able to use the documents to close the bank accounts as well.

(Total process: about 2 months)

US national

Case

Inheritance registration became necessary for a condominium that was jointly owned by a divorced husband and wife after the husband passed away. The deceased ex-husband was a United States citizen who had moved back to the United States.

The wife was living in the condominium, and they had one child who lived in Japan. The child was the sole heir to the 50% share held by the decedent.

Solution

In order to settle the inheritance, the ex-husband’s brother was contacted to assist in collection of necessary documents to make the inheritance registration.

With the family’s cooperation, we collected all of the necessary documents to submit the inheritance registration. The procedures were successfully completed.

(Total process: about 2 months)

Immigration Visas and Incorporation

About immigration visa and incorporation by foreign nationals

Applying for an immigration visa to obtain permission work in Japan is a complex process where mistakes are forbidden. Visa applications must be done to satisfy very specific requirements. There are countless cases where improperly-prepared documents are submitted that lead to a denial, which can be very difficult to overturn.

There are also various notifications and procedures that are required for corporate filings, which can become complex when foreign nationals are involved. Such procedures include establishing a company in Japan, registering a branch office of a foreign company, establishing a Japanese subsidiary of a foreign company, or making a changes to a company register that has statutory directors who are foreign nationals.

Our strengths

At STK Legal, our team of professionals include native speakers of English, Chinese, and Korean. We have in-house administrative scriveners who are registered with the Japan Immigration Agency, which will help to ensure a swift visa application process and avoid unnecessary trips by the client to visit the immigration bureau.

Our team is also experienced in corporate filings involving foreign nationals and foreign parent companies. We provide full assistance in creation of documents and legal translations in order to satisfy reporting requirements for filings in Japan and overseas.

Process

Step 1
Free consultation
Contact us by phone or email to schedule a free consultation.
Tokyo: +81 (0)3-3234-1077
Osaka: +81 (0)6-6362-3003
Email: info@st-kokusai.com
Step 2
Estimate
We will provide a fee estimate based on your needs.
Step 3
Contract
Upon being contracted by the client, we will confirm the required documents and commence preparation for the application.
Step 4
Submit application
After reviewing all documents and obtaining the client’s approval, we will promptly make the application.
Step 5
Application result
If the application is approved, we provide full support in obtaining the permission stamp on behalf of the client (when possible).

International Support

Real Estate Transactions

About real estate transactions involving foreign nationals

Our strengths

Process

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Inheritance Settlement

About inheritance settlement for foreign nationals

Our strengths

Process

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Case studies

Case

Solution

Immigration Visas and Incorporation

About immigration visa and incorporation by foreign nationals

Our strengths

Process

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

STK Legal

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