Key Facts
• On July 10, 2020, Japan introduced a system to deposit handwritten wills at legal affairs bureaus.
• The process requires five documents, including the will, application form, and ID.
• A reservation is mandatory before visiting the bureau for will submission.
• A fee of 3,900 yen is required, payable via revenue stamps available at the bureau.
• The will must adhere to specific rules, such as using A4 paper and leaving margins.
• If the will involves non-heirs, their address must be registered for validity.
• The process can take over an hour due to detailed checks by bureau staff.
• A “Storage Certificate” is issued upon acceptance, but no copy of the will is provided.
• Taking a photo or making a copy of the will before submission is highly recommended.
• Inheritance disputes occur in 80% of cases involving estates under 50 million yen.
• From 2024, new gift tax rules will apply, impacting inheritance planning.
• Future plans include automatic notifications to heirs upon the testator’s death.
Summary
Japan’s will storage system, launched in 2020, allows handwritten wills to be securely deposited at legal affairs bureaus. The process requires specific documents, adherence to strict formatting rules, and a reservation. A fee of 3,900 yen is charged, and the process can be time-consuming due to detailed checks. Importantly, no copy of the will is provided after submission, so creating a personal copy beforehand is essential. The system aims to reduce inheritance disputes, which are common in estates under 50 million yen. Future updates may include automatic notifications to heirs upon the testator’s death. Proper preparation and understanding of the system are crucial for a smooth process.
