2026.08.24 event Webinar #23: “Where Will You Spend Your Retirement Years – The U.S. or Japan?”

I am pleased to announce that I, Takuya Takatori(CPA and Licensed Tax Accountant), will be speaking at the webinar “Where Will You Spend Your Retirement Years – The U.S. or Japan?” on September 12, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM (PDT). This webinar offers practical insights into U.S. Exit Tax planning for individuals considering a return to Japan. From the Japanese tax law perspective, I will cover critical topics for Covered Expatriates, such as the double taxation risk on 401(k) withdrawals and the step-up in cost basis. Please note that this webinar will be conducted in Japanese only. For more information and registration details, please see the materials below.We […]

2026.08.10 International Taxation Japan’s Inheritance Tax for International Couples — What You Can Do Before and After Moving to Japan

“If we move to Japan, will Japanese inheritance tax apply to the assets we built overseas?” We often receive this question from internationally married couples who are thinking about moving or returning to Japan. The answer is: Yes, it will apply. And the tax rate is very high compared to other countries. The highest rate of Japanese inheritance tax is 55%. Some countries, such as Singapore, Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, do not have inheritance tax at all. The United States has an estate tax, but there is a large lifetime exemption (the “unified credit,” approximately USD 15 million per person), so in reality, most families do not pay it. […]

2026.07.27 International Taxation Tax Audits Are Increasing for Couples Moving to Japan – And It Could Affect Your Permanent Residency Too

More and more couples who move to Japan after living abroad are being audited by the tax office. We see this often with couples where a foreign husband moves to Japan with his Japanese wife. We have supported many clients through this kind of audit, and we can confirm that the number of cases is really increasing. Summary of this article: In Japan, the tax office’s administrative year starts in July, so audit activity is increasing again around this time. In this article, we explain how these audits happen and what issues usually come up. We use the most common case we see: a foreign husband with a spouse visa, […]

2026.06.02 event Webinar #22: “Where Will You Spend Your Retirement Years – The U.S. or Japan?”

I am pleased to announce that I, Takuya Takatori(CPA and Licensed Tax Accountant), will be speaking at the webinar “Where Will You Spend Your Retirement Years – The U.S. or Japan?” on June 27, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM (PDT). The theme of this webinar is “Preparing for Your Return to Japan: Lessons from Good, Bad, and Ugly Real-Life Cases.” We will share practical information for people who are considering moving back to Japan. During my presentation, I will explain some important Japanese tax residency rules, including how Japan determines whether a person is a tax resident or a non-resident, and when Japanese tax residency begins. I will […]

2026.05.25 International Taxation Tax Audits and Inquiries for Foreign Residents in Japan

Recently, more and more foreign residents in Japan are receiving inquiries or audit notices from the Japanese tax authorities. Why are tax inquiries increasing? One of the main reasons is the weak Japanese yen. Because the yen has dropped significantly, the value of foreign assets and overseas investments looks much higher when converted into yen. As a result, the Japanese tax office is looking closely at: In most cases, this is not about hiding money or avoiding taxes on purpose. It happens simply because Japan’s international tax rules are very complicated and hard to understand. Even for Japanese citizens, the tax system is difficult. For foreign residents who have to […]

2026.05.07 International Taxation Japan’s Exit Tax: A Framework for the Tax Deferral Decision

With the significant tightening of the so-called minimum tax regime starting in 2027, some individuals may be considering relocating overseas during 2026.If you become subject to Japan’s exit tax, one of the first key issues to consider is whether to elect the tax deferral. While the deferral allows you to postpone your tax liability, it also comes with additional burdens, such as interest charges, collateral requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations. Therefore, electing deferral is not always the right choice, and careful consideration is required based on your individual circumstances. In this article, we outline the basic framework for making this decision. <Comparison of Systems> Payment at Exit Tax Deferral Submission […]

2026.01.05 notice Our official website has been renewed.

We are pleased to announce the renewal of our official website. We have reviewed and improved the design and structure of the site to make it easier to view and to provide necessary information in an easy-to-understand manner. We will continue to strive to improve our services and look forward to your continued patronage.