JapanSupervisory liability? If child causes accident?
In Japan, parents or guardians may be held liable for damages caused by their minor child’s negligent act under the Civil Code, if they failed to properly supervise the child.
What the Law Says
Japanese civil law imposes supervisory liability on parents and guardians when a minor child causes harm through negligence.
Under Article 714 of the Japanese Civil Code, a person who has a legal duty to supervise a minor (such as a parent or guardian) is liable for damages caused by the minor’s unlawful act — but only if the supervisor failed to fulfill their duty of supervision.
This liability applies regardless of whether the supervisor personally acted negligently; it arises from the failure to exercise proper oversight over a child under 20 years old (the age of majority in Japan).
The law does not require proof that the supervisor intended the harm or even knew about the risk — mere lack of adequate supervision, given the child’s age, capacity, and circumstances, may trigger liability.
Importantly, this liability is limited to compensation for damages. It does not extend to criminal responsibility or punitive sanctions.
Statutory TextA person who has a duty to supervise a minor who has no capacity to discriminate right from wrong shall be liable for damages caused by such minor's unlawful act, unless he proves that he has not neglected his duty of supervision.
— Civil Code, Art. 714 — Liability of Supervisor of Minor
What to Do
Assess whether your child was under 20 and lacked capacity to understand right from wrong at the time of the incident.
Review whether reasonable supervision appropriate for the child’s age and circumstances was provided.
Gather evidence showing efforts made to supervise (e.g., instructions given, presence, safety measures).
Consult a lawyer promptly if a claim for damages is made — liability under Article 714 is civil only and requires proof of supervisory failure.
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.