{"id":1149,"date":"2025-05-14T06:48:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T21:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1149"},"modified":"2025-05-14T06:49:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T21:49:41","slug":"considerations-for-foreign-nationals-when-creating-a-will-in-japan-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1149","title":{"rendered":"Considerations for Foreign Nationals When Creating a Will in Japan \u2013 3"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continued from \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1143\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">Considerations for Foreign Nationals When Creating a Will in Japan \u2013 2<\/a>\u201d .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. United States Citizens \u2013 Key Points When Making a Will in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Characteristics:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>U.S. inheritance laws differ by state, and there is no single nationwide rule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most states do not have a strict forced heirship system, unlike Japan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. citizens often hold assets in both countries, requiring multi-jurisdictional planning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important Considerations:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clearly specify the applicable law (Japanese or U.S. state law) in the will.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a Japanese notarial will for assets located in Japan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider making a separate will in the U.S. for assets there, ensuring that the two wills do not conflict.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Translate the will into English or Japanese as appropriate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be aware of estate tax issues in both Japan and the U.S.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommendation:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consult legal experts in both countries to ensure full compliance and avoid double taxation or legal disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Chinese Citizens \u2013 Key Points When Making a Will in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Characteristics:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China has a civil law system with inheritance rules similar in structure to Japan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A forced heirship system exists: certain heirs (e.g., spouse, children) have guaranteed rights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chinese law permits various forms of wills, including oral or video wills under certain circumstances (not valid in Japan).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important Considerations:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure the will is made in accordance with Japanese formal requirements, especially if Japanese law is chosen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a will is made in Chinese, provide a certified Japanese translation when used in Japan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the Chinese citizen owns property in both countries, consider creating separate wills for each jurisdiction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be cautious of inconsistencies between Chinese and Japanese inheritance law, especially regarding forced shares.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommendation:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use a notarial will in Japan, respect both countries\u2019 forced heirship rules, and consult a bilingual legal professional if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Filipino Citizens \u2013 Key Points When Making a Will in Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Characteristics:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Philippines has a civil law system with strong forced heirship protections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certain heirs (legitimate children, spouse, etc.) are entitled to fixed portions of the estate, regardless of will content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wills must be in writing and witnessed, with specific formalities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important Considerations:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If choosing Japanese law, be aware that it may conflict with Philippine mandatory heirship rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating a will in Japan is valid, but it should be written in Japanese (with English or Filipino translation as needed).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Filipino courts may not recognize a Japanese will if it violates Philippine heirship laws, especially for properties or heirs located in the Philippines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Estate planning should account for dual inheritance regimes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recommendation:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To avoid legal challenges, create a separate will for Philippine assets and consult lawyers in both countries to harmonize the distribution plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Japan Immigration News<\/h2>\n\n\n<ul class=\"is-grid columns-2 has-dates has-authors wp-block-rss\"><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/thehub.ca\/2026\/07\/31\/immigrants-adopting-canadas-record-low-fertility-patterns-western-researchers-find\/'>Immigrants adopting Canada\u2019s record-low fertility patterns, Western researchers find<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-07-31T09:00:00+09:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">2026-07-31<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by The Hub<\/span><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2026\/07\/31\/japan\/japan-new-immigration-basic-plan\/'>Japan unveils new immigration plan focused on tighter regulations<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-07-31T09:00:00+09:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">2026-07-31<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by Japan Times<\/span><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/mainichi.jp\/english\/articles\/20260729\/p2a\/00m\/0na\/016000c'>Shadows of hate, extremism hang over anti-immigration rally in Osaka<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-07-30T09:00:00+09:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">2026-07-30<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by The Mainichi<\/span><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2026\/7\/30\/spanish-enclave-of-ceuta-raises-alarm-as-thousands-cross-morocco-border'>Spainish enclave Ceuta raises alarm as thousands cross border from Morocco<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-07-30T09:00:00+09:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">2026-07-30<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by ALJAZEERA<\/span><\/li><li class='wp-block-rss__item'><div class='wp-block-rss__item-title'><a href='https:\/\/thehill.com\/opinion\/immigration\/5997071-stateless-protection-act-immigration-gap\/'>You can\u2019t go back to a country that doesn\u2019t exist<\/a><\/div><time datetime=\"2026-07-30T09:00:00+09:00\" class=\"wp-block-rss__item-publish-date\">2026-07-30<\/time> <span class=\"wp-block-rss__item-author\">by THE HILL<\/span><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Continued from \u201cConsiderations for Foreign Nationals When Creating a Will in Japan \u2013 2\u201d . 1. United States Citizens \u2013 Key Points When Making a Will in Japan Legal Characteristics: Important Considerations: Recommendation: Consult legal experts in both countries to ensure full compliance and avoid double taxation or legal disputes. 2. Chinese Citizens \u2013 Key &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/?p=1149\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Considerations for Foreign Nationals When Creating a Will in Japan \u2013 3&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":552,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inheritance-and-wills","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1149"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1153,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1149\/revisions\/1153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.japan-workers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}