Key Facts
• July 6, 2025: Shumei Kamiya, leader of the Sanseito Party, made a claim on Fuji TV.
• Kamiya stated that foreigners living abroad cannot be charged inheritance tax in Japan.
• Japan’s National Tax Agency confirmed this claim as false.
• Inheritance Tax Law Article 1-3 specifies taxation for foreign property owners.
• Foreigners abroad are taxed on domestic properties they inherit.
• Kamiya acknowledged the law but highlighted practical enforcement challenges.
• Challenges include unknown addresses, lack of international cooperation, and unregistered ownership changes.
• National Tax Agency emphasized thorough investigations for foreign inheritors.
• Fact-checking organizations rated Kamiya’s statement as incorrect.
• The issue was raised in the context of foreign real estate purchases in Japan.
Summary
Shumei Kamiya, leader of the Sanseito Party, claimed on July 6, 2025, that Japan cannot collect inheritance tax from foreigners living abroad. However, the National Tax Agency refuted this, citing legal provisions that tax foreign inheritors on domestic properties. Kamiya later clarified that his statement was meant to highlight enforcement difficulties, such as untraceable addresses and lack of international cooperation. The agency assured that investigations are conducted thoroughly. This discussion arose during a debate on regulating foreign real estate purchases in Japan. Fact-checking organizations deemed Kamiya’s claim inaccurate, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between legal frameworks and practical challenges.
