JapanCan I sue a moving company for damage in Small Claims Court in Japan?
Yes, you can sue a moving company for damage in Japan's Small Claims Court (Summary Proceedings) if the claim is ≤ ¥1.4 million and filed within 2 years of damage discovery.
What the Law Says
Japan’s civil litigation system provides a simplified route for small monetary disputes through Summary Proceedings (‘Shōri Shikō’), governed by the Code of Civil Procedure.
Under Article 368 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Act No. 109 of 1996), Summary Proceedings apply to claims not exceeding ¥1.4 million, offering faster hearings, limited evidence rules, and no mandatory attorney representation.
Moving services fall under the 'Contract for Work and Services' or 'Transportation Contract' framework in the Civil Code (Act No. 89 of 1896). Article 627 imposes liability on carriers for loss or damage unless proven due to force majeure or shipper’s fault.
The statute of limitations for contractual claims is two years from when the injured party becomes aware of the damage and the obligor, per Article 166(2) of the Civil Code — shorter than the general 10-year period for torts or debts.
Statutory TextSummary proceedings may be instituted only where the amount in dispute does not exceed one million four hundred thousand yen.
— Code of Civil Procedure, Art. 368(1)
What to Do
Gather evidence: photos of damaged items, original estimate/invoice, packing list, and written complaint sent to the mover (keep proof of delivery).
Confirm the claim is ≤ ¥1,400,000 and filed within 2 years of discovering the damage — check your service contract for any shorter limitation clauses (though unenforceable if below statutory minimum).
File a Summary Proceedings petition at the district court with jurisdiction — usually where the moving company has its principal office or where the damage occurred.
Attend the single hearing (typically scheduled within 1–3 months); bring all originals and Japanese translations if documents are in English.
If the court orders payment and the company refuses, apply for compulsory execution via the same court — enforcement is available against bank accounts or wages.
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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.