Digital Asset Inheritance in Japan: Cryptocurrency, Social Media, and Subscriptions

Digital assets in Japan include cryptocurrency (legally defined under Payment Services Act Art. 2(14)), e-money, social media accounts, subscriptions, online banking, and digital content. Cryptocurrency is inheritable property subject to inheritance tax at death-date market value. Key challenge: lost private keys make recovery practically impossible. Exchange accounts require death certificate and family register for transfer. Social media policies vary: Facebook/Instagram offer memorial accounts, X allows deactivation, Google has Inactive Account Manager. Subscriptions continue charging after death unless cancelled. Best practice: maintain a digital asset list, use password managers with emergency access, and include digital assets in wills (Civil Code Art. 896).