Duties of a Shiho-Shoshi lawyer
Shiho-Shoshi lawyers can also advise people from abroad living in Japan about the following kinds of questions.
- I want to buy a home. What should I do?
In Japan, you need to apply at the regional Legal Affairs Bureau to purchase real estate and become registered as the owner. A Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can confirm the documents needed for registration, submit the application at the Legal Affairs Bureau as your agent, and protect your rights.
- I want to set up a new company in Japan. What should I do?
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New companies are established by registration based on an application at the regional Legal Affairs Bureau with the necessary documents. A Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can prepare the documents needed for registration, submit the application at the Legal Affairs Bureau as your agent, and help you to set up a company that meets your preferences as closely as possible. We can also provide advice about legal matters related to company operation.
- I want to become naturalized as a Japanese citizen. What should I do?
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There are strict requirements for obtaining Japanese citizenship, including the number of years of residence in Japan and level of Japanese language capabilities.
A Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can provide the advice you need and help you with preparing the documents and submitting your application for naturalization.
- My employer is not paying my wages. What should I do?
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You can discuss the matter with your employer on an equal footing, but you need legal knowledge in order to do that. If you are unable to settle the matter through discussion, you can consult with a Shiho-Shoshi lawyer for advice from a legal standpoint.
- Another driver hit my car, and they are not paying my repair costs. What should I do?
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The amount of compensation depends on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of damage, but in many cases, it is difficult to reach an agreement because of misunderstandings when the two parties have differing opinions or cultural differences. In such cases, a Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can act as an intermediary to help you negotiate the matter smoothly.
- I moved to a new address, and the landlord at my former apartment is not returning my security deposit. What should I do?
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The basic approach is to demand the return of your security deposit from the landlord; but if it is a small amount, there are ways to resolve the matter simply through the court system. If you are not confident about handling the procedures yourself, a Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can support you by helping to prepare the documentation or acting as your procedural attorney.
In addition, Shiho-Shoshi lawyers offer the following services.
Representing clients in summary court and other related services:
For cases in summary court where the amount being disputed is no greater than ¥1.4 million, a Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can act as your attorney in civil litigation and civil arbitration, or negotiate for an out-of-court settlement. We can also advise you on dispute resolution based on legal counsel. These services can be performed by Shiho-Shoshi lawyers who have been accredited by the Minister of Justice (accredited Shiho-Shoshi lawyers). Accredited Shiho-Shoshi lawyers can also represent and advise you in lot line identification procedures in the case of disputes regarding property boundaries.
Consultation for multiple heavy debts:
We provide advice for people who are struggling with multiple debts to credit companies and consumer financing firms. We can identify an appropriate solution that is suited to the individual client's circumstances. In addition to voluntary liquidation, which includes negotiating with the creditor on behalf of the client to have the rate reduced to the interest rate ceiling, other procedures include negotiating with creditors by way of the court system in specific arbitration, personal rehabilitation, or bankruptcy. Also, if you have paid interest at a higher rate than the ceiling provided by the Interest Rate Restriction Law, we can help you to demand a refund of the excess interest paid.
Preparing documents to be submitted to courts:
We prepare written complaints and replies, petitions for arbitration, bankruptcy, and civil rehabilitation, and other judicial documents. We also prepare documents for procedures related to divorce and other family disputes as well as the preservation or seizure of assets.
Representation in real estate registration procedures:
As a registration expert, a Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can handle a wide range of rights transfer procedures on your behalf, including procedures for the sale or purchase and inheritance, and registration of mortgage and leasing right of your valuable land and building assets.
Adult guardianship services:
The adult guardianship system supports people whose decision-making capabilities have become inadequate. The legal experts most frequently appointed to serve as adult guardians are Shiho-Shoshi lawyers. Having specialized knowledge, Shiho-Shoshi lawyers can provide appropriate advice to enhance the quality of life for families that include elderly persons as well as the elderly themselves.
Representation in escrow procedures:
If your landlord refuses to accept rent payments because he wants to evict you or increase your rent, we can handle the procedures on your behalf to deposit rent payments into an escrow account, which has the same legal effect as paying the rent.
Other:
A Shiho-Shoshi lawyer can prepare all kinds of documents for you in addition to the above, including documents to be submitted to the public prosecutor's office (complaints, indictments, etc.) and documents related to citizenship such as applications for naturalization. We can also help you to prepare a will or act as executor of a will.
