We work closely with an experienced research partner in Japan who specializes in genealogical research in the region, including the translation and interpretation of older Japanese documents that can often be difficult to read.

There are a number of challenges associated with genealogical research in Japan. Privacy laws surrounding family registers, known as koseki, mean that these records are not generally open to the public. Very few koseki records have been digitized for public access, meaning that research often requires in-person visits to local municipal offices.

Over time, some records have also been lost or damaged due to fires, earthquakes, war, and other natural disasters. Researchers must additionally navigate variations in written language and script, as older records may use historical writing styles or classical Japanese that can be difficult to interpret without specialist knowledge.

Despite these complexities, our trusted research partner in Japan has the expertise, linguistic skills, and regional experience required to assist with complex Japanese family history cases and international probate research, including the accurate translation of historical records.