JapanIf inheritance division can't be agreed?
If heirs cannot agree on inheritance division, any heir may petition the family court for mediation or adjudication.
What the Law Says
Japanese law requires heirs to divide the estate by mutual agreement. If consensus fails, the matter falls under judicial supervision.
Article 907 of the Civil Code states that inheritance division must be agreed upon by all heirs; absent agreement, any heir may request court intervention.
The family court first attempts mediation (chōtei); if unsuccessful, it may issue a binding adjudication (saiban) after hearing all parties.
Statutory TextWhere co-heirs cannot reach agreement on the division of the estate, any co-heir may request adjudication by the family court.
— Civil Code, Art. 907
What to Do
File a petition for inheritance division mediation at your local family court.
Attend mediation sessions; if unresolved, request adjudication—court will decide division based on statutory shares and circumstances.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-09.