JapanCan I get a tutoring fee refund through Small Claims Court in Japan?
Yes, you can sue for a tutoring fee refund in Japan's Small Claims Court if the claim is ¥1.4 million or less and filed within 10 years of the breach.
What the Law Says
Japan’s Small Claims Court procedure offers a fast, simplified route for consumers seeking refunds from tutoring services that failed to deliver promised instruction or violated contractual terms.
Small Claims proceedings in Japan are governed by Articles 368–2 to 368–14 of the Civil Procedure Act (Minji Sosho Ho), which allow streamlined hearings for monetary claims up to ¥1,400,000 without mandatory legal representation.
To qualify, your dispute must arise from a civil matter—such as breach of a tutoring service contract—and not involve criminal conduct or administrative decisions.
The statute of limitations for contract-based claims like unpaid refunds or service failures is 10 years under Article 167(1) of the Japanese Civil Code (Minpo), beginning when the right to claim arises—e.g., upon cancellation or non-performance.
Statutory TextA small claims procedure may be used for a claim for payment of money not exceeding one million four hundred thousand yen.
— Civil Procedure Act, Art. 368-2
What to Do
Gather evidence: signed contract, payment receipts, emails/texts showing unfulfilled promises or cancellation requests.
Confirm the claim falls within ¥1.4 million and was filed within 10 years of the breach.
File Form No. 1 (Petition for Small Claims) at the summary court (kansai saibansho) with jurisdiction—usually where the tutoring company is headquartered or where the contract was performed.
Attend the single hearing date (typically scheduled within 30 days); bring original documents and translations if non-Japanese.
If you win, enforce the judgment through court-ordered seizure of assets or bank account garnishment if the defendant refuses payment.
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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.