Small Claims Court Limit in Japan

What the Law Says

Japan’s small claims procedure (少額訴訟手続, shōgaku soshō tesho) is a simplified, expedited civil litigation process designed for low-value disputes. It is governed by Articles 368–2 to 368–10 of the Civil Procedure Act (民事訴訟法, Minji Soshō Hō), enacted in 1996 and amended to enhance accessibility.

Under Article 368-2, Paragraph 1 of the Civil Procedure Act, a claimant may file a small claims action only if the amount demanded does not exceed ¥1.4 million (as of the current statutory threshold; this amount has remained unchanged since the 2002 amendment). This cap applies to the principal claim — interest, costs, and penalties are excluded from the calculation.

The procedure is conducted before a single judge at the summary court (簡易裁判所, Kan’i Saibansho), with strict limitations on evidence, oral argument, and appeals. A judgment rendered under this procedure is final and non-appealable (Article 368-8), except for limited challenges via objection (異議, i-gi) or retrial (再審, saishin) under exceptional circumstances.

Statutory Text

A small claims action may be filed only where the claim is for an amount not exceeding one million four hundred thousand yen.

— Civil Procedure Act, Article 368-2, Paragraph 1 (Act No. 109 of 1996, as amended)

What to Do

Sources

Related Questions