JapanBy when must I renounce inheritance?
You must renounce inheritance within three months of learning that you are an heir, unless the court extends the deadline.
What the Law Says
Japanese civil law sets a strict time limit for renouncing inheritance to ensure legal certainty and protect creditors and other heirs.
Under the Civil Code of Japan, an heir who wishes to renounce inheritance must do so within three months of becoming aware that the inheritance has begun — that is, upon learning of the decedent’s death and their own status as an heir.
This deadline is not calculated from the date of death itself, but from the moment the heir gains actual knowledge of both the death and their eligibility to inherit.
If the heir cannot reasonably meet the three-month deadline due to unavoidable circumstances (e.g., serious illness, overseas residence, or lack of information), they may petition the family court for an extension before the deadline expires.
Statutory TextAn heir must declare renunciation of inheritance to the family court within three months from the time he/she becomes aware of the commencement of inheritance.
— Civil Code, s. 938 — Renunciation of Inheritance
What to Do
Confirm the date you first learned of the decedent’s death and your status as an heir.
Prepare a written 'Declaration of Renunciation of Inheritance' in Japanese.
File the declaration with the competent Family Court (usually where the deceased resided) before the 3-month deadline.
If you need more time, file a petition for extension *before* the 3-month period ends — include evidence of justifiable cause.
Keep certified proof of filing (e.g., court receipt or registered mail tracking).
Sources
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South KoreaNot 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.