What constitutes a legally binding contract in Japan?

5 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **What constitutes a legally binding contract in Japan?**

   Hello,

   Tldr; I am currently an exchange student currently searching for dorms in Japan. I selected “yes I agree” in a google doc application form to a somewhat sketchy contract, and now they want to charge me a 30,000 yen cancelation fee if I back out. I didn’t sign an e-signatue or anything, is this still considered a legally binding contract?

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2. Possibly, but whether they will actually try to pursue it is another question.

   Spoiler alert, it will very likely cost them way more than 30,000 to file a small claims against you.

3. I would start with talking to someone at your school to see they can assist. Are you attending a university or college? When my son did his student exchange he talked to the International student office when he had questions or issues. They could help or at least point him in the right direction

4. I would start with talking to someone at your school to see they can assist. Are you attending a university or college? When my son did his student exchange he talked to the International student office when he had questions or issues. They could help or at least point him in the right direction

5. As far as I understand, individual clauses of a contract can be invalid, but that doesn’t render the contract as a whole invalid. Your contract is likely valid, even if this clause isn’t.