JapanLimitation for state redress claims?
State redress claims in Japan must be filed within 1 year from when the claimant knew of the damage and the liable public official, and no later than 5 years from when the harmful act occurred.
What the Law Says
The State Redress Act sets strict time limits for claiming compensation from the Japanese government for damages caused by illegal acts of public officials.
You must file a state redress claim within 1 year after you become aware of both the damage and the identity of the public official responsible.
Even if you don’t yet know all the facts, the claim expires no later than 5 years after the harmful act or omission occurred.
These deadlines are absolute — missing them means your right to claim is completely extinguished, with very limited exceptions for suspension (e.g., incapacity).
Statutory TextThe right to claim redress under this Act shall be extinguished after the lapse of one year from the time when the injured party or his legal representative came to know of the damage and the offender.
— State Redress Act, Art. 2 — Limitation Period
Statutory TextIn any case, the right to claim redress under this Act shall be extinguished after the lapse of five years from the time when the harmful act was committed.
— State Redress Act, Art. 2 — Limitation Period
Statutory TextThe period prescribed in the preceding Article shall be suspended during any period in which the injured party is a minor or under guardianship.
— State Redress Act, Art. 3 — Suspension of Limitation
What to Do
Confirm the date you first learned of both the damage and the responsible official.
Calculate whether that date falls within 1 year — if not, check whether the harmful act occurred less than 5 years ago.
If either deadline is approaching, file a written claim with the relevant government agency immediately.
If you were a minor or under guardianship during part of the limitation period, document that fact — it may suspend the clock under Article 3.
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: 2026-06-08.