Not sure who to ask for help in Japan?

Living in Japan can involve many situations where you may need help, including residence status, work, taxes, housing, contracts, and family matters.

Even when you understand the problem itself, it is not always easy to know, “Who should I ask about this?”

Japan has many different professionals and service providers, including administrative scriveners, lawyers, tax accountants, social insurance and labor consultants, real estate companies, and everyday service providers.

The important thing is not simply to ask someone as quickly as possible, but to choose a person or organization that is appropriate for your problem.

Some matters require a qualified professional

In Japan, some types of work can only be handled by people with the appropriate professional qualifications.

Matters involving residence status, legal disputes, taxes, employment, or social insurance may require specialized knowledge or professional qualifications.

Other needs, such as finding a home, moving, repairs, or locksmith services, may be handled by ordinary businesses.

For this reason, it is important not to choose someone only because they speak Japanese, were introduced by an acquaintance, or come from the same country as you. You should also check whether they are actually able to handle your particular issue properly.

If work that requires a professional qualification is handled by someone who does not have the necessary qualification, the procedure may not be carried out properly and the person providing the service may also face legal issues.

Speaking the same language does not automatically mean a service is reliable

Being able to speak with someone in your native language can be very reassuring. It is especially helpful when discussing complicated procedures or personal problems.

However, being able to communicate in the same language and being able to rely on a service provider are two different things.

Even when a service has been introduced by someone from the same community, it is worth checking:

Whether the required qualifications are held
Whether the business name and location can be confirmed
Whether the services being provided are clearly explained
Whether fees and payment conditions are clear
Whether there is a reliable way to contact the provider

Relying only on a personal introduction can sometimes lead to unexpected charges or to a procedure not being handled as expected.

This is not an issue limited to services for foreign residents. When using any service in Japan, it is important to understand who is providing the service, in what capacity, and what they will actually do for you.

What to check when choosing where to ask for help

Whether they handle your type of problem
Whether they have the necessary qualifications or expertise
Whether their business name, location, and contact information can be confirmed
Whether they serve your area
Which languages they support
Whether their services and fees are clearly explained

You do not need to investigate everything by yourself. Simply organizing what you are having difficulty with can make it much easier to find the right place to ask for help.

It is okay if you do not know who to ask

You do not need to know in advance whether your problem should be handled by an administrative scrivener, a lawyer, or another professional.

Right Place Japan aims to provide a place where foreign residents in Japan can organize their problems and find an appropriate professional or service provider.

We aim to make it easier to compare information such as qualifications, areas of expertise, location, service area, and supported languages.

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