JapanCan I dispute a service contract in Small Claims Court in Japan?
Yes, you can dispute a service contract in Japan's Small Claims Court (Summary Court) if the claim is ¥1.4 million or less and filed within 5 years of breach.
What the Law Says
Japan’s small claims procedure operates under the Civil Procedure Act and is handled exclusively by Summary Courts (Kan’i Saibansho). It is designed for straightforward monetary disputes involving services, goods, or minor contractual breaches.
Under Article 368-2 of the Civil Procedure Act, Summary Courts may hear civil claims up to ¥1,400,000 without formal oral arguments, using simplified written procedures. This includes disputes arising from service contracts—such as unpaid fees, defective performance, or unilateral termination without cause.
The statute of limitations for contractual claims is governed by Article 166(1) of the Civil Code, which sets a 5-year period from when the right to claim becomes exercisable—typically from the date of breach or non-payment.
Importantly, the Summary Court cannot order specific performance or injunctions; it only awards monetary compensation. If your claim exceeds ¥1.4 million or seeks non-monetary relief, you must file in a District Court instead.
Statutory TextA summary court may hear an action in which the amount in controversy does not exceed one million four hundred thousand yen.
— Civil Procedure Act, Art. 368-2
Statutory TextThe right to demand performance of a claim arising from a contract shall be extinguished after five years from the time when the right could have been exercised.
— Civil Code, Art. 166(1)
What to Do
Confirm your claim is ≤ ¥1,400,000 and filed within 5 years of the breach or due date.
Draft a simple complaint (‘Teisho’) in Japanese using the official Summary Court form (available at courts or online); include facts, evidence (e.g., contract, emails, invoices), and calculation of damages.
Submit the complaint and filing fee (¥1,000–¥2,000 depending on claim amount) to the Summary Court with jurisdiction—usually where the defendant resides or where the service was performed.
Attend the single hearing date (typically scheduled within 1–2 months); bring original documents and certified translations if non-Japanese.
If dissatisfied with the judgment, you may file an immediate appeal (‘Kokoku’) to the District Court within two weeks—but only on points of law, not factual re-examination.
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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.