JapanWhat is the maximum claim amount in Japanese Small Claims Court (少額訴訟)?
The maximum claim amount in Japanese Small Claims Court (Shōgaku Soshō) is ¥1,400,000. This limit is set by Article 368-2 of the Code of Civil Procedure and applies to monetary claims only.
What the Law Says
Japan’s Small Claims Court system, known as Shōgaku Soshō, operates under streamlined procedures within district courts and is governed primarily by the Code of Civil Procedure (Minji Soshō Hō). It is designed for fast, low-cost resolution of straightforward monetary disputes without requiring legal representation.
The statutory ceiling for small claims was raised from ¥600,000 to ¥1,400,000 effective April 1, 2022, pursuant to amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure. This change aimed to expand access to justice for mid-value consumer and business disputes.
Only claims for payment of money qualify — non-monetary relief (e.g., injunctions, contract rescission, or damages for defamation) cannot be pursued via this procedure. Claims involving multiple defendants or counterclaims exceeding the limit also disqualify a case from small claims treatment.
Proceedings are typically concluded in a single hearing, and judgments are final with no right of appeal on points of fact or law — though a limited objection (ihan) may be filed within two weeks under strict grounds such as procedural violation or fraud (Article 371).
Statutory TextA small claims action may be instituted only where the amount claimed does not exceed one million four hundred thousand yen.
— Code of Civil Procedure, Article 368-2, Paragraph 1
What to Do
Confirm your claim is purely monetary and totals ≤ ¥1,400,000 (including interest and costs)
File a petition (shōgaku soshō teisho-sho) at the competent district court — usually where the defendant resides or conducts business
Pay the statutory filing fee (¥1,000 for claims up to ¥100,000; higher tiers apply, capped at ¥5,000)
Attend the single scheduled hearing prepared with evidence (receipts, contracts, correspondence)
If successful, request a certified copy of the judgment and, if unpaid, apply for compulsory execution through the same court
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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.