Chinese Language Support | Inheritance, Sale, and Room Hunting

What you can consult about in Chinese — inheritance, sale, and room hunting

四葉不動産株式会社 (Yotsuba Real Estate Co., Ltd.) handles consultations on the inheritance of real estate in Japan, sales (including appraisal), and rental room hunting, in Chinese. We support both Traditional and Simplified Chinese: for clients in Taiwan and Hong Kong we can assist in Traditional Chinese, and for clients in mainland China in Simplified Chinese.

Our representative, Joji Uramatsu, is a former Mainichi Shimbun journalist who was stationed in China, Taiwan, and Thailand as China General Bureau Chief. Beyond language, you can consult with us on the basis of the differences in systems and business customs between the Chinese-speaking world and Japan. Consultations in Japanese and English are of course also available.

Which country's law governs the inheritance of Chinese residents of Japan?

When a person of Chinese nationality or from Taiwan who lives in Japan passes away, before proceeding with inheritance procedures it becomes necessary to sort out 'which country's or region's law serves as the basis (the governing law).'

Japan's Act on General Rules for Application of Laws (法の適用に関する通則法) sets, for inheritance, the framework that it 'shall be governed by the national law of the decedent' (Article 36 of the same Act). In other words, where the deceased person's nationality lies becomes the starting point, and even for real estate located within Japan, the procedure does not necessarily conclude by looking at Japanese law alone.

That said, exactly which law applies and how involves many points to be examined case by case—such as the determination of nationality, the content of the national law, and whether renvoi applies.Because the actual application differs from case to case and requires a legal judgment, please consult a specialist about your individual circumstances.Our company takes on consultations from the real estate side, while the preparation of inheritance-related documents is undertaken under a separate contract by the affiliated 四葉行政書士事務所 (Yotsuba Gyoseishoshi Office).

Can I proceed with the consultation and sale while living overseas?

Yes, you can. Consultations can be held online (by video call), and we handle the on-site confirmation of the property. Because the exchange of the necessary documents can be done by mail, you can begin a consultation without assuming a visit to Japan.

However, when an heir living overseas sells real estate in Japan, documents obtained from a local overseas mission or notary authority—such as a signature certificate or a certificate of residence—may sometimes be required. Preparing such documents can take time, so we recommend consulting us early, at the stage when you are considering a sale. The documents required differ depending on your situation (your country of residence, residency status, and so on), so we proceed while confirming them individually.

For the flow of a sale conducted while living overseas, the column'A Guide to Selling Japanese Real Estate for Overseas Owners' (in Japanese) explains it in detail.

Translation and preparation of family-register and notarized documents from China and Taiwan

In inheritance procedures involving the Chinese-speaking world, it becomes necessary to put local documents—such as a mainland Chinese household register (hukou) or a notarial certificate from a notary office, or a Taiwanese family-register transcript or a removed-household register transcript—into a form usable in Japanese procedures.

The translation of such foreign-language documents and support with the preparation of documents proving inheritance relationships are undertaken under a separate contract by the affiliated 四葉行政書士事務所 (Yotsuba Gyoseishoshi Office) (an independent business entity from our company, with no referral fees exchanged). We can handle documents from both Taiwan and the mainland. Together with your real estate consultation, we can direct you to the appropriate contact.

Which procedure is handled by whom

The property, documents, registration, and tax matters are each handled by independent business entities and specialists under separate contracts.

With each specialist the engagement is separate, under an individual contract. Your inquiry can start from any entry point. After hearing your circumstances, we will direct you to the contact you need.