JapanCan I use Small Claims Court for a minor car accident in Japan?
Yes, you can use Japan’s Small Claims Procedure (Shōkisaiban) for minor car accident disputes involving claims up to ¥1.4 million, provided both parties reside in the same district court jurisdiction.
What the Law Says
Japan’s Small Claims Procedure is a simplified civil litigation track designed for straightforward monetary disputes. It applies exclusively to cases where the claim does not exceed ¥1.4 million and meets strict jurisdictional and procedural criteria.
The Small Claims Procedure is governed by Articles 368–372 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Minji Soshō Hō), enacted in 2011 and amended in 2020 to expand accessibility. It is available only at district courts (chihō saibansho) and requires that both plaintiff and defendant reside or have their principal place of business within the same court’s jurisdiction.
Unlike regular civil trials, small claims hearings are typically concluded in a single session, with limited evidence submission and no formal written pleadings—oral statements suffice. Judges may mediate and encourage settlement, and decisions are final with no right of appeal except on narrow procedural grounds.
Importantly, this procedure does not apply to disputes involving personal injury compensation claims—even minor ones—if they require medical evidence or complex causation analysis. Pure property damage (e.g., vehicle repair costs, rental car fees) qualifies, but mixed claims (property + injury) must be filed in regular civil court.
Statutory TextA small claims procedure may be used only when the amount claimed does not exceed one million four hundred thousand yen.
— Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 109 of 1996), Art. 368, Para. 1
What to Do
Confirm your claim is solely for property damage (e.g., repair costs) and totals ≤ ¥1,400,000.
Verify both you and the other driver reside or operate a business within the same district court’s jurisdiction (e.g., both in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward → file at Tokyo District Court).
Prepare documentation: police accident report (if filed), repair estimates/invoices, photos, and proof of ownership/insurance status.
File Form No. 15 (Small Claims Petition) at the appropriate district court counter or via e-Courts (if registered); pay the statutory fee of ¥1,000.
Attend the scheduled hearing (usually within 30 days), present your evidence orally, and accept the judge’s binding decision or mediated settlement.
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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: 2026-10-11.