Travel

In Japan, airlines are not legally required to compensate passengers for flight delays under national law, unless the delay results from the airline’s negligence and causes provable damages.

Airlines in Japan are liable for damaged baggage under the Montreal Convention, with a maximum compensation of 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (approx. ¥230,000) per passenger, unless higher value is declared and paid for.

In Japan, disruptive in-flight behavior is a criminal offense punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥500,000 under the Aviation Act.

If an airline ceases operations in Japan, passengers are entitled to a full refund of unused ticket amounts under the Aviation Business Act. Refunds must be processed within 30 days of the cessation notice.

If you overstay your visa in Japan, you may face deportation, a re-entry ban of up to 5 years, and possible detention. You must leave Japan immediately or apply for status regularization before removal proceedings begin.

Residence status in Japan may be revoked if the foreign national obtained it through fraud, violates public order, fails to engage in permitted activities, or remains outside Japan for over 2 years without permission.

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa is a Japanese residence status for foreign nationals with specific vocational skills in designated industries, introduced to address labor shortages.

To qualify for permanent residence in Japan, you generally need at least 10 years of continuous residence (with at least 5 years on a work or resident visa), good conduct, sufficient assets or income, and Japanese language ability at N4 level or higher.

A re-entry permit is a document required for foreign nationals in Japan who wish to leave and return without losing their residence status. It must be obtained before departure and is valid for up to 5 years.

Yes, if the travel agency is registered under the Travel Business Act and you paid for a package tour, your payment is protected up to ¥1.5 million per person by the Travel Agency Compensation Fund.

Yes, you may claim compensation if the hotel provided in your package tour differs from what was promised in the contract, under Japan’s Act on Prevention of Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations and the Consumer Contract Act.

Yes, selling travel services to the public in Japan without registration as a 'travel agency' under the Travel Agency Act is illegal.

Yes, under Japan’s Travel Business Act, cancellation fees charged by registered travel agencies are capped at the actual damage incurred — typically up to 20% of the travel fee for cancellations made 20–8 days before departure, and up to 30% for cancellations within 7 days.

Travel contract terms are the agreed conditions between a traveler and a travel agency, and they are legally binding if they comply with the Travel Business Act and the Consumer Contract Act.

Yes, exaggerated travel ads in Japan are regulated under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, which prohibits misleading claims about price, quality, or performance.

No, travel agencies in Japan are not legally required to offer travel insurance to customers.

Operating a bus service without a license in Japan is illegal and can result in up to 2 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥3 million, or both.

If a taxi driver overcharges you in Japan, file a complaint with the local Transport Bureau (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) or the taxi company directly. You may also contact the Consumer Center (188) for assistance.

Highway buses in Japan must comply with strict safety standards under the Road Transport Vehicle Act and operate within legally defined hours—drivers may not drive more than 4 hours continuously and must take a 30-minute break, with daily driving limited to 12 hours.

No, taxi and bus fares in Japan cannot be freely set; they require approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or local transport authorities under the Road Transport Act.

Yes, a travel agency in Japan may be liable for injuries during a trip if it failed to fulfill its duty of care under the Travel Business Act and Civil Code, especially when the injury resulted from negligence in planning, supervision, or safety measures.

Employers in Japan who hire illegal residents face fines up to ¥3 million, imprisonment up to 3 years, or both — and may be banned from hiring foreign workers for up to 5 years.

Yes, foreign nationals aged 16 or older with a residence status in Japan must carry their residence card at all times and present it upon request by immigration officers or police.

If you lose your passport in Japan, immediately report it to the nearest police station and then apply for a replacement at your country’s embassy or consulate. Japanese law does not issue passports to foreign nationals — only your home country can replace it.

Yes, you may work in Japan while your refugee application is pending — but only after receiving a 'Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted' from the Immigration Services Agency, and only if you have held valid residence status continuously for at least 3 months.