September 2026
Japan’s Wills System to Be Reformed: Wills Can Be Created Using a Computer
On June 17, 2026, a law to reform Japan’s wills system was enacted and was promulgated on June 24. Under the current system, a holographic will (a handwritten will) must, in principle, be handwritten in its entirety by the testator, except for certain parts such as an inventory of assets. Under the revised system, a […]
Japan’s Adult Guardianship System to Be Reformed: “Guardianship” and “Curatorship” to Be Abolished
On June 17, 2026, a law to amend Japan’s adult guardianship system was enacted and was promulgated on June 24. Under the current adult guardianship system, there are three categories depending on the degree of a person’s decision-making capacity: “Guardianship” (Koken), “Curatorship” (Hosa), and “Assistance” (Hojo). Under the new system, “Guardianship” and “Curatorship” will be […]
Fees for Residence Procedures Will Be Revised from October 1, 2026
Until now, the fees for residence procedures other than Permanent Residence Permission, such as applications for a change of status of residence or an extension of the period of stay, have been ¥6,000 for applications submitted at an immigration office and ¥5,500 for online applications. For applications submitted on or after October 1, 2026, these […]
A Five-Year Period of Stay Will Be Added for “Specified Skilled Worker (ii)”
Until now, the available periods of stay for the status of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker (ii)” have been three years, two years, one year, or six months.A new five-year period of stay will now be added.Other work-authorized statuses of residence have already offered a five-year period of stay, while “Specified Skilled Worker” has not. […]