Japan has three types of wills: handwritten (Civil Code Art. 968), notarized (Art. 969), and sealed (Art. 970). The 2019 reform allows typed property lists for handwritten wills, and a Legal Affairs Bureau storage system (2020) prevents loss and eliminates court verification.
Types of Wills in Japan: Handwritten vs. Notarized Wills
Key Takeaways
- ✓Holographic wills must be entirely handwritten but cost nothing to create
- ✓Notarized wills are the most reliable with low risk of invalidity
- ✓The legal affairs bureau storage system eliminates the need for probate
- ✓Wills violating statutory shares are valid but may face claims
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