JapanCan I sue for rental property damage disputes in Small Claims Court in Japan?
Yes, you can sue for rental property damage disputes in Japan's Small Claims Court (Summary Proceedings), but only for claims up to ¥1.4 million and subject to strict procedural limits.
What the Law Says
Japan’s civil litigation system provides a simplified track called Summary Proceedings (Shōri Shoshō) for small monetary disputes—including landlord-tenant damage claims—under strict statutory conditions.
Under the Code of Civil Procedure (Minji Sosho Hō), Article 368, Summary Proceedings apply exclusively to claims for a definite sum of money not exceeding ¥1.4 million. This includes damages for breach of lease obligations, such as tenant-caused property damage.
The Civil Code (Minpō) governs lease relationships: Article 609 requires tenants to return premises in their original condition, barring normal wear and tear, and Article 612 permits landlords to claim compensation for unjustified deterioration.
Courts assess liability based on evidence of causation and reasonableness of claimed repairs; speculative or inflated estimates are routinely rejected. The Supreme Court has affirmed that 'the burden of proof rests on the party asserting damage' (Supreme Court Judgment, 2002 (Ju) No. 1542).
Statutory TextSummary Proceedings may be instituted only where the claim is for a definite sum of money not exceeding one million four hundred thousand yen.
— Code of Civil Procedure, Art. 368, Para. 1
Statutory TextA lessee shall return the leased property in the same condition as it was at the time of delivery, except for deterioration due to use in accordance with the contract.
— Civil Code, Art. 609
What to Do
Confirm your claim is ≤ ¥1.4 million and filed within 6 months of discovering the damage (Civil Code Art. 697); retain photos, repair invoices, and lease agreement copies.
File a Statement of Claim (Kokuyōsho) at the summary court (kansai chōsa-sho) serving the defendant’s residence—not yours—using Form No. 24 from the Supreme Court website.
Serve notice via certified mail or court bailiff; the defendant must respond within 30 days or risk default judgment.
Attend the single hearing (usually within 3 months of filing); present clear, itemized evidence—no witnesses or expert testimony allowed in Summary Proceedings.
If you win, enforce judgment through compulsory execution (e.g., wage garnishment) via the local Legal Affairs Bureau—note that enforcement success depends on debtor solvency.
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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.