Plan Early

Give yourself at least 6-8 weeks to plan, as Japan has tight restrictions on where you can hold a deposition and requires a special travel visa.

Location Restrictions

All depositions in Japan must take place at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or the U.S. Consulate in Osaka.

Depo Venue

You will need to secure a reservation with the Consulate or Embassy and submit a list of all deposition participants and all electronic equipment you will bring.

Visa Requirements

A Japanese Special Deposition visa is required for attorneys and other relevant personnel (including translators and court reporters) to go to Japan for the purpose of attending a deposition.

Hague Evidence Convention

Japan is not a member of the Hague Evidence Convention. Find out more about the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters.

Useful Links

U.S. State Department
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses
Blog article
Depositions in Japan – International Deposition Tips
U.S. Embassy
Tokyo
U.S. Consulate Generals
Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Naha

Want more information on how to conduct an international deposition? Please request your free Definitive Guide to International Depositions.

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Video tips

Let our experts walk you through the process of setting up a deposition in Japan.

How to set up a deposition in Japan

Kimberlee Castro, Global Deposition Expert with Optima Juris, gives a few tips on how to set-up a U.S. deposition in Japan.

How to swear in a witness abroad

Ian Hardy, President of Optima Juris, discusses essential tips and know-how to correctly administer the oath during an international deposition.

Case Study: Osaka

Ambassadors to Japan

Challenge
A U.S. court reporting agency needs to arrange a deposition in Osaka, but doesn't know where to start. Help!
Solution
Japan has strict requirements for foreign depositions, and they must take place at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or U.S. Consulate in Osaka. We helped secure a reservation with the Consulate in Osaka and provided a region-based court reporter, legal videographer, and interpreter for the deposition. The deposition went off without any problems or complications!

Expert info, tips & advice

Sharing our over 17 years of international deposition experience with you.

International Deposition Tips: First Step to Setting Up a Depo Outside the U.S.

We are very excited to unveil our first video from our brand new video series, International Deposition Tips. The entire Optima Juris team will be sharing insider tips, advice, guides, and information about international depositions in these quick and easy-to-view videos. First up we have Optima Juris CEO, Ian Hardy, explaining the first step to setting up a deposition outside the U.S.

More…
Taking Voluntary Depositions of Willing Witnesses in Japan

Here at Optima Juris, we always recommend that depositions in Japan be scheduled several months in advance, if possible, in order to provide sufficient time to obtain the necessary conference space at the U.S. Consulate for the depo to take place, as well as to obtain the deposition visas required for the attending parties, which includes the court reporter and any other deposition support personnel.

More…
Depositions in Japan – International Deposition Tips

Japan has a few rules and restrictions on taking U.S. depositions in their country, but we have successfully set up depositions in Japan many times and we are here to help. Our amazing Director of Scheduling and CSR, Kimberlee Castro, walks you through what you need to do to set up a U.S. deposition in Japan.

More…

Essential international travel information for Japan

Currency

Japan uses the Japanese Yen. For more information on currency conversions visit XE. Before you leave, notify your bank, credit card company, or other financial institutions that you are going overseas. Avoid carrying cash and consider using traveler's checks or major credit cards instead (but make sure they are accepted at your destination before departing on your trip).

Useful Links

HOTELS
Agoda Japan hotel search
Hotels.com Japan hotel search
Lonely Planet Japan hotel search

ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
Voltage and plug styles in Japan

TIME & DATE
Time & date in Japan

Weather

For the latest weather information in cities throughout Japan visit weather.com.

General tipping

Overall, tipping in Japan is not customary. Respect and politeness is expected at all times, and if your tip is refused, do not to be offended. If you insist on leaving a tip in your hotel and are unsure what the appropriate method is, check with your concierge or hotel receptionist.

Holidays & observances

Imagine your reaction if your deposition had to be rescheduled because of a major local holiday when everything was closed. Don’t let that happen to your depo. You can see a complete list of holidays in Japan here: timeanddate.com/holidays/japan/.

Health

Check with your physician to see which shots are required and/or recommended for your trip to Japan. You can check online resources like the U.S. Department of State Japan country page or contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate for current entry requirements. The World Health Organization (WHO) can provide their recommendations for vaccinations and other travel health precautions for your trip abroad.

Major airports

Aichi, Chūbu International Airport, NGP

Chiba, Narita International Airport, NRT

Osaka, Kansai International Airport, KIX

Osaka / Hyōgo, Osaka International Airport, ITM

Tokyo, Tokyo International Airport, HND

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