1. Costs - No Win No Fee! 

Having long standing relationships with all our overseas partners we have agreements to provide these services on a NO WIN NO FEE basis charging the agreed commission rate against monies recovered only. 

2. Coverage in Japan 

Japan is divided into 47 prefectures. This includes two urban prefectures (Osaka and Kyoto), one territory (Hokkaido) and one metropolis (Tokyo). Our local office is in Tokyo so we are well positioned to recover debts throughout the entire country. 

3. Local Experience 

Unlike many of our competitors all cases are handled by the local office or partner. The reasons for this are they speak the debtors' language in this case Japanese and we understand the local cultures and know all the legal processes. These are reasons why Creditreform are the ideal people to help you in collecting debts from overseas. 

4. Statute of Limitation in Japan 

5 years for commercial and 3 years for consumer but there are special exemptions so whatever the age please contact us and we will advise if we can assist with your claim 
Search a country below for debt collection: 

How to Instruct Us 

We simply require the following details: 
Full name & address of the debtor 
All available contact details of the debtor i.e. contact name(s) / Tel / Mobile / Email(s) 
Amount owed (Invoice(s) or Statement will help) 
PLEASE CALL US ON +44 121 442 5330 FOR FURTHER DETAILS 
Or ask us to call you – just leave us your details: 

Japan Debt Collection – No Win No Fee 

Creditreform operates a global specialist International debt collections service. We have local offices and fully approved expert international debt collection agency partners in every country worldwide. All our international debt collection agency partners and offices operate on a No Win No Fee basis charging an agreed commission against monies recovered only. All our international offices and partners initiate the collection processes by sending the debtors a debt collection letter to introduce their involvement. 
 
In Japan, the debt collection process is normally started by an attorney. 
Main reasons why a local country debt recovery agency is so important rather than trying to recover from a debt collection agency UK are as follows: 
 
The local International Debt collection Partners know: 
 
The local cultures 
The best methods of initiating debt recovery letters and processes 
The languages 
The laws 
Are in the same time zones 
 
Herewith details of our debt collection service Japan: 

Location of debt recovery office in Japan? 

Rapport Haraguchi 2F, 18-12, Taishido 4-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0004, Japan. 
All debt collection letters are sent by the local head office. 

Number of debt collection staff? 

Less than 10 staff. Each staff member is allocated a client and all their debt collection letters are personalised in order to effect the best response result s from debtors. 

How long have you been operating a debt recovery service in Japan? 

We have been operating an Asia debt collection service on a no win no fee basis in Japan since 2003. Japan is included on our debt collection agency list

What type of debt collection services do you provide? Do you do commercial debt recovery (B2B) and consumer debt recovery (B2C)? 

We handle both Business to Business debt recovery cases and Business to Consumer debt collections cases. There is different content for business to business debt collection letter templates and business to consumer debt collection letters templates

Statue of Limitation in Japan? 

Consumer debts, 10 years in general and commercial debts 5 years in general. 
Please note that the statute of limitation period will be changed from April 1, 2020. 
 
Japan civil litigation statute of limitations is a law that time limits a plaintiff’s right to bring a claim against a defendant. The statute of limitations in Japan is 5 years. However, if an action has been taken within this time then the statute of limitations time will be extended to account for this. Once the specified time period elapses then no action can be taken through the legal processes unless the plaintiff is able to prove exceptional circumstances. Other Statute of Limitations include: 
 
Japan Open Account Years – 3 years 
Japan Promissory Notes – 5 years except for sales agreement 
Japan Written Contracts – 5 years except for sales agreement 
Japan Oral Agreements – 2 years 

How EU (European Union) laws effect debt collection in Japan? 

Data protection law would effect debts collection in Japan. 
The governing law of the contract can be EU law in accordance with the conflict of law of Japan. 
UK law is popular because of the predictability of the consequences in Japan. 
 
Japan signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) in 2018 and this has been enforced since 2019. Japan entered into the European Union–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on 1st February 2019 which is the world's largest open economic area that covers a third of the world's economy. 

How many companies registries in Japan for businesses (i.e. UK has just 1 central registry)? 

We have 8 legal affairs bureau in each location where 8 High Court is located. 
We also have 42 local legal affairs bureau in the place where the district court is located (other than the place of the location of the High Court of Japan). 
 
There is 1 company registry in Japan which is called Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry – Company Search / National Tax Agency located at 3-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8978, Japan. 
 
We have access to Japan Company Registry searches to find out who further background information on all Japan companies. 

What is the debt collection process in Japan? 

Upon the receipt of the request of the debts collection, we have reviewed the relevant documents carefully and check whether the debts can be collectable and sufficient documents are provided by the debtor or attorney or debts collection agencies to us. 
 
We then check the conflict of the interest as to whether we have already received the debts collection requests from the other creditors. 
 
We then contact the debtor by e-mail, mail and phone. 
 
If we fail to persuade the debtor to pay the debts amicably, we asked the creditor, its attorney or collection agent to collect the debts legally or through litigation or arbitration. 

Average length of time to collect a debt? 

The average time taken to recover a Japan B2B debt collection case varies from case to case but typically 3-6 months on average. 

Can late payment fees / interest to be added to claims? 

It depends on the governing law of the contract under which the debs are accrued. 
Under the laws of Japan, default interest rate of 5-6 percent can be collectable. 

Japan Business Credit Reports 

Creditreform provides over 88 million international business credit reports throughout Europe and 200 million international business credit reports worldwide. We provide freshly investigated Japan Credit Reports which can be done prior to trading to make sure the company you will be dealing with can meet the commitment or once the debt becomes overdue to ensure the debtor can meet the amount owed. 

Japan Skip Tracing Agents 

Creditreform’s debt collection company service also uses expert local Japan tracing agent services to locate any absconded debtor. This debtor tracing service is provided on a No Find No Fee basis only charging for a successful trace. 

Specialist Debt Recovery Experts 

There are many unique requirements to recovering international debts in all countries including Japan debt collection services which differ from the UK and therefore it is very important that cases are handled directly by our expert international debt collection agencies and not from debt collectors UK. This method of international debt collection sets Creditreform aside from the competition who in many cases try and recover debts from a UK debt collector only. Using the local offices and partners enables us to achieve a far greater success rate and our No Win No Fee service together with competitive commission rates against monies recovered only ensures you get the best service. 

Japan Debt Collection Partners in the following Japanee Cities 

What is the legal system in Japan? 

The Japan legal system is based on Germanic civil law. Japanese civil code of 1895. 

What is the name of the Government Gazette in Japan? 

The Gazette in Japan is called the Official Paper - Kanpō (官報). 

Which countries border Japan? 

Japan is an island nation in Asia whose closest neighbors are South Korea, Russia and China

Who are the main trading partners for Japan? 

The major import and export trade partners for Japan are USA, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia and Saudi Arabia

What is the Supreme Court in Japan? 

The Supreme Court for Japan is called 'The Supreme Court of Japan' (最高裁判所, Saikō-Saibansho, called 最高裁 Saikō-Sai for short) which is located in Hayabusachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, 

Japan Debt Collection Agency FAQs 

1. How does a Debt collection agency in Japan recover overdue debts? 

The debt collection process is initiated by an introductory letter to your debtor stating the amount owed to you and informing them of our involvement. Letters are then followed up with emails and telephone calls. From our experience the most effective part of this process will be the outsourcing to a third party debt collection agency in Japan as the debtor now has to resolve the debt and can no longer hide or provide lame excuses. 

2. How long does the debt recovery agency in Japan take to process a case? 

The debt collection case will be processed immediately up receipt and a letter sent normally by email and post. You will receive an automated confirmation by return. 

3. What is the success rate for debt collection agencies in Japan? 

The success rate of the debt recovery case depends on a number of factors including the solvency of the debtor and whether the case has a legitimate dispute. Our aim is to recover every debt that is recoverable. 

4. Does the debt recovery agency in Japan operate a No Win No Fee debt collection? 

We take on all debt collection cases on No Win No Fee basis only charging the agreed commission against monies recovered. 

5. Why use a local debt recovery agency in Japan? 

The reasons for using a local Japan debt collection agency than processing from a different country is the debt collector in Japan speaks the local language, knows the local laws and operates in the same time zones. 

6. Are there any debts too old or too small for Japan debt collection? 

We will assess all debt cases, irrelevant of age and size and then advise the best processes to recover these through the Japan debt collector. 

7. How do I instruct the debt collectors in Japan? 

Instructing the debt collectors Japan is a simple process. You just email details of the debt, debtor and amount to be recovered and the case can be initiated. 

8. What evidence do I need to provide when instructing the Japan debt collector? 

When instructing the debt collector in Japan just provide copies of invoices/statements, debtor contact details and any relevant information you may have to assist with the recovery process. 

9. Who does the debtor pay? 

In general the debt collector in Japan will request payments to be sent directly to the client but if not possible for any reasons will take payment directly. If payment is taken then cleared funds will be processed and sent to client straight away. 

10. Can I instruct multiple cases? 

You can send unlimited debt case instructions. Our systems will automate volume cases to meet your requirements. 

11. Can you trace debtors in Japan? 

Through our network of skip tracing agents we have an extremely high success rate of locating your absconded debtor. 

12. How long does the debt collection process take? 

On average the debt collections process takes 90 days to resolve an amicable debt recovery case. There are a number of factors that can delay this process but we will keep you informed every step of the way. 

13. What are my options if debt collection in Japan is not successful? 

If the debt recovery service is not successful we will advise you of your options including legal actions. Please note no legal actions or other processes will be taken without prior instruction from you. 
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