Question from a reader:
I lent someone 30,000 yen, but I can no longer get in touch with them. I have a photo of their My Number card, the LINE messages from when I lent the money, and my bank account information. I’m considering a small claims lawsuit, but I’m worried that the costs of suing might end up being a
loss for me. Is it possible to sue for an amount like 30,000 yen?

Loan Dispute of 30,000 Yen and the Option of Small Claims Lawsuit

Well, everyone. Recently, I received a consultation from someone who lent 30,000 yen to a friend but can no longer get in touch with them. This is a problem that many people experience more than they might think. Perhaps you have encountered a similar situation yourself. In such a situation, it’s natural to consider a “small claims lawsuit.” However, given the amount of 30,000 yen, it’s understandable to worry about whether it’s worth suing and whether the lawsuit costs will ultimately lead to a loss. This time, I would like to take a closer look at these aspects.

What is a Small Claims Lawsuit?

First, let me briefly explain what a small claims lawsuit is. A small claims lawsuit is a simplified legal procedure for seeking monetary payment, and it can generally be used when the claim amount is 600,000 yen or less. The advantages of this procedure are that the litigation costs are relatively low, and the court proceedings progress quickly. This is particularly effective for loan disputes between individuals. In this case, since 30,000 yen falls within the scope of small claims lawsuits, you can utilize this procedure.

Calculating the Lawsuit Costs

When considering a lawsuit, the most concerning factor is usually the “cost.” The litigation costs generally include court fees for stamps, postal fees, and possibly attorney fees. In the case of a small claims lawsuit, the stamp fee is determined based on the claim amount. For a claim of 30,000 yen, the stamp fee will be approximately 500 yen. Including postal fees and other miscellaneous expenses, the total costs for the lawsuit will likely be around 1,000 to 2,000 yen. What you should consider here is not only how much the lawsuit costs but also what you can ultimately gain from it. If you actually proceed with the lawsuit and win, a judgment will be issued ordering the other party to make the payment, meaning you would get back your 30,000 yen.

Is it Worth Suing?

When you think, “What do I ultimately gain from suing?” the financial aspect is undoubtedly the biggest factor. While 30,000 yen may not seem like a large amount, whether or not you can get the borrowed money back can significantly change your mental burden. Additionally, the anxiety and stress from not receiving the money back cannot be ignored. Furthermore, filing a lawsuit also demonstrates to the other party that you believe they should pay. It’s possible that the other party has unconsciously forgotten their actions, and initiating a lawsuit might serve as a catalyst for them to show their willingness to repay. From this perspective, the amount of 30,000 yen can be viewed not just as “lost money,” but as an action taken to “protect your rights.”

What You Can Do to Get in Touch

Before considering a small claims lawsuit, it’s also important to make an effort to get in touch. Since you have the LINE messages, it might be a good idea to try contacting them again based on that content. Perhaps the other party is unable to communicate for some reason. What’s important here is to communicate the facts calmly without blaming the other party. You might say something like, “I lent you 30,000 yen the other day, and I would like to discuss the repayment. If there are any issues, please let me know, and I’m here to help.” This gentle approach could be beneficial.

If You Decide to File a Lawsuit, What Should You Do?

If you try to contact them but receive no response, you may proceed with a small claims lawsuit. In this case, you will first need to go to the court and file a small claims lawsuit. The necessary documents include the LINE messages that prove the loan and the bank transfer records. Specifically, you will need to follow these steps: 1. Prepare necessary documents: Gather LINE screenshots and transfer statements. 2. File a claim at the court: Go to the nearest summary court and file a small claims lawsuit. You will pay the stamp fee here. 3. Notification of court date: Once your claim is accepted, the other party will be notified of the court date. 4. Court proceedings: The court will take place, and a judgment will be made based on the evidence. Considering this entire process, a small claims lawsuit is not particularly difficult, but it can be quite cumbersome. Especially if the other party does not appear in court, winning the case may be easy, but actually recovering the money can be challenging, so caution is necessary.

Conclusion

If you can no longer get in touch with the person you lent 30,000 yen to, a small claims lawsuit is one effective option. The ability to keep litigation costs low and assert your rights are significant advantages. However, it’s also important to consider the other party’s response and the potential difficulty of recovering the money afterward. Ultimately, I hope you choose your actions while considering your own mindset and your relationship with the other party. While 30,000 yen may be a small amount, the trust and feelings behind it are certainly not insignificant. I hope this experience serves as a solid opportunity to reflect on future relationships and lending practices.