How to Find a Person in Japan: A US-Japan Comparison

Introduction to the Challenges of Finding a Person in Japan

Finding a person in Japan is one of the most challenging investigations. The primary reason is “the Personal Information Protection Law” established in Japan.

The Role of the Personal Information Protection Law in Japan

This law regulates the collection of personal information of specific individuals by third parties. In Japan, private investigators must notify the Public Safety Commission to be recognized for their activities. However, their activities are highly restricted.

To illustrate this, let’s compare with the authority of detectives in the United States. In each US state, certified detectives can access personal information managed in public databases, making investigations to find or locate someone relatively straightforward.

In contrast, Japanese detectives are prohibited from accessing personal information managed in public databases. Surprisingly, even family members or spouses cannot collect or request the disclosure of a person’s information without their consent.

The Strong Legal Barrier in Japanese Investigations

This strong legal barrier, established by the “Personal Information Protection Law” is always a significant obstacle for detectives. If detectives forcefully collect personal information, it would be considered an illegal act, leading to a guilty verdict and a permanent ban from conducting detective work. This shows that collecting personal information in Japan is not easy; it is quite difficult.

Clients from the US often question why such investigations are so expensive and accuse us of fraud. However, knowing the high authority and access to personal information that US detectives have, such thoughts are understandable. The laws regarding detective work vary greatly around the world. Some countries lack laws about detective work, while countries like Japan have some of the strictest regulations globally.

Overview of Investigation Methods in Japan

So, how are people searches conducted in Japan? This is what you want to know, right? When you request a detective in Japan to find someone, the investigation is based on the information provided by the client.

Although access to public databases is not possible, information is collected using private databases. Due to confidentiality, details cannot be shared, but each detective agency has different databases and human networks.

Essential information for database access includes the person’s name (in kanji), birth date, address, workplace, phone number, and SNS accounts.

Regarding Japanese specifics, the kanji notation of names must be mentioned. In Japan, names are commonly written in kanji. Overseas individuals may only know names in the alphabet. Since kanji notation is crucial for identifying individuals, knowing only the alphabetic name increases the difficulty. Look for documents with the kanji notation of the person’s name.

Finding foreigners residing in Japan is particularly challenging. For example, information of those living in Japan with a visa, such as international students, is managed by the Immigration Bureau. The Immigration Bureau is a separate jurisdiction from the police and does not disclose personal information for private matters. Thus, investigations rely on interviews with related parties and on-site investigations.

Does this mean there is no hope in finding someone in Japan? Not necessarily. Based on the provided information, we explore all possibilities to locate the person. This requires persistence and is time-consuming. We understand that waiting can be frustrating for clients.

It is essential to understand that investigations do not guarantee finding the person. However, we can collect reliable information about the person. We are entrusted with the important role of reuniting clients with their lost connections. Understanding and supporting the client’s anxieties and frustrations are crucial due to the sensitive nature of such investigations.

Here are some case studies from past investigations:

Case 1: Finding a father who moved to Japan five years ago and lost contact.

Information provided: name and address.

A local investigation was conducted by visiting the previous address. Since the father was not found there, we interviewed residents in the area. The community’s close-knit nature helped, and we discovered he was living in a facility far from his home. With the cooperation of the facility staff, the client reestablished contact with their father.

Case 2: Finding a mother separated for over 30 years.

Information provided: name (without kanji), birth date, past address, photo, and sister’s name.

This was a highly challenging case due to the long time span. Alongside database searches, extensive field investigations were conducted. The provided address was incorrect, complicating the search. Address formats vary internationally, often causing omissions in address components when translated. We reached a resident familiar with the person through interviews and identified the current address using database searches. However, the person refused to meet, so further support and approach were needed.

Importance of Considering Post-Finding Actions

The purpose of finding someone varies by client. Consider what to do after finding the person. Even if clients wish to reunite, the person might not. In such cases, we may deliver letters or messages on behalf of the client.

If considering a person search in Japan, please consult us and share the information you have. Quoting without shared information is common, but the difficulty of searches in Japan varies significantly by the type, amount, reliability, elapsed time, and relationship of the information.

Sharing information is essential, even if you decide not to proceed with the contract after hearing the investigation plan. Rest assured that we manage information thoroughly.