Contract problems

Contract or billing problems in Hiroshima: what foreign residents should check

Key points

If you do not understand a Japanese contract or bill, want to cancel a contract, or have been asked to pay, gather details about the other party, the amount, the deadline, and your communications.

Check the other party and the terms of the contract
List payments and deadlines separately
Raise questions before signing

This article provides general information to help you prepare before speaking with a lawyer. It is not a legal assessment of an individual case and does not guarantee any outcome.

Lawyer: Ryo Kondo · Member of the Hiroshima Bar Association

Registration No. 68207

Updated: 2026-08-11

Check the other party and the terms of the contract

Keep the contract, application form, bill, notice, and any other document showing the person's or company's name, the amount, and the deadline.

If the verbal explanation seemed different from the written document, record when it was given, who gave it, and what was said.

List payments and deadlines separately

List separately the amount already paid, the amount currently being claimed, the payment deadline, and any cancellation deadline.

If a deadline is close or you have received a document from a court or business, include the date and the type of document in the consultation request form.

Raise questions before signing

After signing a contract or agreement written in Japanese, it may become more difficult to dispute its contents later.

If you do not understand a document or disagree with a bill, use the consultation request form to tell us what document you have and what happened before signing.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Questions about this legal issue

Can I seek advice if I do not have the contract?

An application screen, advertisement, invoice, receipt, bank or card payment history, and messages may help identify the other party and show what happened.

What if I signed because I did not understand Japanese?

Signing alone does not immediately determine the outcome. Record what explanation you received, whether an interpreter was present, and whether you had time to read the document.

What should I prioritize if a payment deadline is close?

First organize who is requesting payment, the amount, the deadline, the contract, and any notice received. If the document came from a court, state the document name and deadline at the beginning.

Questions about consulting or retaining Ryo Kondo

Does sending the online intake form mean that Ryo Kondo has agreed to represent me?

No. The online intake form is an initial way for the lawyer to review your situation. Submitting it does not mean that the lawyer has accepted the matter or that a lawyer-client relationship has begun.

Will the information I share be kept confidential?

Lawyers have a legal duty to protect confidential information learned through their work. The handling of information submitted through the website is also described in the privacy policy.

How much does a legal consultation cost?

Submitting the online intake form is free. A legal consultation costs JPY 6,600 for 30 minutes. Fees and the proposed next steps for handling your case will be explained before you formally retain the lawyer. Interpreter fees have not yet been determined.

Can I attend a meeting if I am not confident using Japanese?

If you would like to communicate in a language other than Japanese, we will confirm the available options individually. The lawyer will review the facts with you and provide legal explanations and assessments.

Official information