Written by Goro Koyama

Japan PI >> Articles by: Written by Goro Koyama
Goro Koyama is CEO & Founder of Japan PI Inc., a bilingual private investigations firm with headquarters in Tokyo. Goro has 30 years experience serving domestic and overseas companies and individuals in Japan. He is a member of the Council for International Investigations (CII), World Association of Detectives (WAD), and the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). He has been featured in the Japan Times & Beacon Reports.
america

U.S. Educational and Employment Checks Through Single Database

In the United States, information institutions centralize the management of educational and employment records. With access to their databases, background checks, educational verification, and employment history can be completed. This alleviates the need for universities and corporations to respond to verification inquiries for hiring checks individually. Moreover, it’s convenient for companies conducting hiring checks to verify educational and employment records through these centralized information institutions. Similar to Japan’s Credit Information

sushi

Detectives and Sushi – Food Culture as a Tourism Resource

The Japanese government aims to become a tourism-oriented nation. In tourism, the key elements are nature, climate, culture, and food. When tracking individuals visiting Japan, it is important to understand the fundamental principles of Japanese tourism. Sushi Among them, sushi is the most famous when it comes to food. As private investigators, we sometimes provide guidance to foreign visitors, so it is necessary for us to have knowledge and expertise

lovers

Couple Buster Detective: Breakup and Love – Can Love Be Bought with Money?

This episode introduces a case where a middle-aged man, suffering from unrequited love, tries to win a woman’s heart by enlisting the help of a professional and offering money in return. Please note this is not a case in which our company was directly involved, but a story we heard from another detective agency. Unrequited Love of Middle-aged Man The main character in this story, Man A, is a 47-year-old

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Investigation Practices by Bilingual PI 

Bilingual PIs occasionally conduct investigations on behalf of foreign travel insurance companies. Travel insurance covers injuries and illnesses, property damage, and theft during travel. In addition to research, interpreting, translation, and cross-cultural communication skills are required for insurance-commissioned research. What is a travel insurance survey? Travel insurance investigation is investigating the circumstances related to a travel insurance claim. It is conducted to verify evidence, certified documents, medical records, and eyewitness

teacher

Amendment of Law on Registration of Japanese Name Pronunciation

Starting in 2024, a new law amendment will require Japanese citizens to register the pronunciation of their name on their family registry records, known as Koseki. Japanese names present significant challenges: This can create confusion in communication, but learning the cultural and linguistic specifics can help navigate these obstacles. Identification is impossible without the Japanese notation of a Japanese individual, except for a few exceptions. It is essential to remember

Romance Scam

Uncovering the Evil Romance Conspiracy: PI’s Hunt for the Scammers

Romance scammers impersonating Americans are rampant. It is a sneaky trick to pretend to be an American online, posing as a lover or partner, and defrauding the victim of money. This technique is called a “romance scam” and causes the victim to develop romantic feelings and fall victim to a scam. What to do if you suspect a romance scam If you suspect a romance scam, it’s most important to

Okinawa

Okinawa PI – Investigation on Inbound Overseas Traveler or US Military Base Related Cases

One of the areas where bilingual detectives often work is Okinawa. Common overseas surveys include: Especially when looking for people, I often look for the children and relatives of American men and Japanese women in Okinawa. American men are not only American soldiers, but also teachers, some are engaged in the food and beverage industry. Since Okinawa is famous as a tourist destination, it is often the scene of an

analysis

Analyzing Financial Statements – Business Background Checks

Analyzing Open-Source Intelligence is essential to check a company’s financial stability, and financial statements are the primary information source for a company’s background check. This article will show how to conduct financial analysis, specifically on the balance sheet. Understand The Company Features in The Same Category We offer quizzes to help you discover which sections of a balance sheet require focus when differentiating between companies in the same category. BOOK

school

The Law’s Scalpel for Child Bullying! Background Checks on Bullying Perpetrators

Bullying problems are severe and cause significant distress to children and their families. In some cases, the victim’s child’s body, life, or property may be threatened, and in some cases, the victim may commit suicide. In severe cases, legal proceedings may be necessary. If a minor gets bullied or attacked, their parents may file a claim for damages against the assailant or their parents after consulting a lawyer. However, due

emploees

Case Studies of Employment Screenings for Mid-Career Recruitment

This article sheds light on the fundamental aspects of selecting and screening executive candidates during hiring. By doing so, organizations can avoid various employee-related issues such as work negligence, violation of work orders, and any form of harassment at the workplace, including reverse harassment.  The article also highlights the importance of complying with legal and ethical standards. Effective screenings can also prevent criminal incidents such as embezzlement, misappropriation, and information

check

Practice of Reference Checks in Japan

This article will explain the procedures and precautions for companies to conduct pre-employment screening (background surveys and reference checks) of recruitment candidates. Resume Check Given the inflated cost of engaging in an external pre-employment screening, it might be sensible to check resumes’ credibility first. Only those needing attention based on these criteria can undergo a thorough pre-employment screening. This approach saves resources while ensuring a rigorous recruitment process. We will

child

International Marriage in Japan

International marriages in Japan have a higher divorce rate than domestic marriages. Cultural and language differences cause communication and understanding problems between spouses from different backgrounds. It’s also been found that Japanese women and foreign men get married a lot in Japan, and these marriages are more likely to end in divorce. Aside from child abduction, there is also an issue related to international marriages and a cultural gap that

Luxury Hotel

Surveillance of Visitors to Japan

As a result of the convergence of COVID-19, overseas travel is no longer restricted. Thus, surveillance of foreign travelers is returning to pre-pandemic levels. When doing surveillance of visitors to Japan, PIs must be familiar with the hotel conditions where the visitors are staying. In business transactions or domestic disputes, PIs are often asked to monitor travelers When doing surveillance of visitors to Japan, PIs must be familiar with the

research

Introduction of Background Checks and DBS UK

There has been no shortage of vicious stalker murders. Police warnings against stalker behavior have not been a complete deterrent. A criminal history reference system and a registration system for sex offenders are being considered in Japan because of the high recidivism rate of sex offenders. Based on the DBS concept used in the UK, Japanese authorities have been considering adopting a sex offenders monitoring system for serial offenders including

GPS

Can GPS Trackers Be Used In Covert Surveillance?

The purpose of this article is to explain how laws in Japan and the US affect the use of GPS trackers (including AirTags and so on) without the consent of the target individual. State laws vary from state to state in the United States. We will discuss some typical incidents reported in the news regarding US laws. Nevada Litigation Over GPS Tracker A news article reported that a mayor in

kids

Quick Guide to Divorce And Child Custody In Japan

We will discuss the child custody issues in a divorce. Common Patterns After Divorce In Japan, the mother traditionally raises minor children when a couple divorces. Divorced fathers rarely see their children. The sole custody system still exists in Japan. After a divorce has been finalized, either the father or the mother has sole custody of the children. In most divorces, the mother gets custody and parental authority, and the

child

Six Things You Should Be Careful About The Hague Child Abduction Convention In Japan

We took an interview from Pursuit Magazine about Six Things You Should Be Careful About The Hague Child Abduction Convention In Japan. Below are the questions and answers between the interviewer and Japan PI.  What experience do you have with the Hague Convention? We provide specialized investigative services in Japan for non-Japanese clients. As a detective agency, we are often called upon to investigate the whereabouts of children brought into

vanishing

Johatsu – The Vanishing People in Japan

There is a general perception in Western countries that we have more missing persons in Japan than in the rest of the world, thanks to the media coverage about Japan in the West.  We wonder if this is true. We discuss this topic here.  The Vanished: The “Evaporated People” of Japan in Stories and Photographs, written by a French journalist Since the following book was published in September 2016, Japan

privacy

Private Detective Industry And The Act on Protection Of Personal Information

Japanese PIs and The Act On Protection Of Personal Information To understand the relationship between the Japanese private detective industry and the Act on Protection of Personal Information, we will explain the Prime Incident this time. The Prime Incident was a case where the police simultaneously busted information sources of PIs for unauthorized acquisition or leakage of personal information from 2011 to 2013. There is a registration system, but not

Fichot Hunger Strike

Father on Hunger Strike for Jont Child Custody

Japanese ex-wife of Mr. Vincent Fichot, a Frenchman living in Japan, took away his two children in August 2018. Since then, he hasn’t been able to see his kids. Since July 10, 2021, he has been on a hunger strike in front of Sendagaya Station in Tokyo, calling for the introduction of a joint custody system and legal amendments to prevent parental child abduction. When He Got Home, His Wife

japan

Heir Search In Japan From Overseas Clients

Foreign lawyers or trustees often contact us regarding the whereabouts of Japanese heirs.  Japanese Citizen Documentation System The citizen record system in Japan is the Koseki family register records. Finding relatives is easy if you have access to the family register. However, it is challenging to access the family register registration. When asked for an heir’s whereabouts from outside Japan, we have to overcome many complicated tasks. You must first

Hague Child Abduction Case Study in Japan

A Japanese wife took her child away from her home from an American husband. The husband requested us to locate the child. The client lives in the United States, and there was a son born in March 2018. However, in December 2019, his wife took her son and returned from the U.S. to a local city in Japan, where she had come from. The client appealed for the return of

Real Estate Japan

Business Practices of Japanese Real Estate Agencies

As a private investigative agency in Japan, we are able to assist the clients who are planning to purchase real estate properties in Japan. Our services include the background checks about the real estate agencies, due diligence of the properties, the location investigation of the missing owners of the real estate properties, and so on. Below are the brief explanations about the type of real estate agencies and business practices

Coronavirus

Counter Measures against New Coronavirus

Japan PI has been originally based on an online shop + telework business environment, so the effects from the coronavirus pandemic are minimal.  However, it is unavoidable to go out and move during the field investigation, so when moving, all employees at Japan PI take the utmost care in preventing infection. The main business of Japan PI is inbound investigations from overseas (investigations in Japan requested by overseas clients).  We

reliability

What is the definition of anti-social forces? -about Japanese Mafia-

According to the 2007 Ministry of Justice guidelines, “anti-social forces” are defined as “groups or individuals who pursue economic interests using violence, power, and deception.”Do you think anti-social forces are euphemisms for yakuza or gangsters? Certainly, gangs are included, but they are more widely applied.

america

U.S. Educational and Employment Checks Through Single Database

In the United States, information institutions centralize the management of educational and employment records. With access to their databases, background checks, educational verification, and employment history can be completed. This alleviates the need for universities and corporations to respond to verification inquiries for hiring checks individually. Moreover, it’s convenient for companies conducting hiring checks to verify educational and employment records through these centralized information institutions. Similar to Japan’s Credit Information

sushi

Detectives and Sushi – Food Culture as a Tourism Resource

The Japanese government aims to become a tourism-oriented nation. In tourism, the key elements are nature, climate, culture, and food. When tracking individuals visiting Japan, it is important to understand the fundamental principles of Japanese tourism. Sushi Among them, sushi is the most famous when it comes to food. As private investigators, we sometimes provide guidance to foreign visitors, so it is necessary for us to have knowledge and expertise

lovers

Couple Buster Detective: Breakup and Love – Can Love Be Bought with Money?

This episode introduces a case where a middle-aged man, suffering from unrequited love, tries to win a woman’s heart by enlisting the help of a professional and offering money in return. Please note this is not a case in which our company was directly involved, but a story we heard from another detective agency. Unrequited Love of Middle-aged Man The main character in this story, Man A, is a 47-year-old

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Investigation Practices by Bilingual PI 

Bilingual PIs occasionally conduct investigations on behalf of foreign travel insurance companies. Travel insurance covers injuries and illnesses, property damage, and theft during travel. In addition to research, interpreting, translation, and cross-cultural communication skills are required for insurance-commissioned research. What is a travel insurance survey? Travel insurance investigation is investigating the circumstances related to a travel insurance claim. It is conducted to verify evidence, certified documents, medical records, and eyewitness

teacher

Amendment of Law on Registration of Japanese Name Pronunciation

Starting in 2024, a new law amendment will require Japanese citizens to register the pronunciation of their name on their family registry records, known as Koseki. Japanese names present significant challenges: This can create confusion in communication, but learning the cultural and linguistic specifics can help navigate these obstacles. Identification is impossible without the Japanese notation of a Japanese individual, except for a few exceptions. It is essential to remember

Romance Scam

Uncovering the Evil Romance Conspiracy: PI’s Hunt for the Scammers

Romance scammers impersonating Americans are rampant. It is a sneaky trick to pretend to be an American online, posing as a lover or partner, and defrauding the victim of money. This technique is called a “romance scam” and causes the victim to develop romantic feelings and fall victim to a scam. What to do if you suspect a romance scam If you suspect a romance scam, it’s most important to

Okinawa

Okinawa PI – Investigation on Inbound Overseas Traveler or US Military Base Related Cases

One of the areas where bilingual detectives often work is Okinawa. Common overseas surveys include: Especially when looking for people, I often look for the children and relatives of American men and Japanese women in Okinawa. American men are not only American soldiers, but also teachers, some are engaged in the food and beverage industry. Since Okinawa is famous as a tourist destination, it is often the scene of an

analysis

Analyzing Financial Statements – Business Background Checks

Analyzing Open-Source Intelligence is essential to check a company’s financial stability, and financial statements are the primary information source for a company’s background check. This article will show how to conduct financial analysis, specifically on the balance sheet. Understand The Company Features in The Same Category We offer quizzes to help you discover which sections of a balance sheet require focus when differentiating between companies in the same category. BOOK

school

The Law’s Scalpel for Child Bullying! Background Checks on Bullying Perpetrators

Bullying problems are severe and cause significant distress to children and their families. In some cases, the victim’s child’s body, life, or property may be threatened, and in some cases, the victim may commit suicide. In severe cases, legal proceedings may be necessary. If a minor gets bullied or attacked, their parents may file a claim for damages against the assailant or their parents after consulting a lawyer. However, due

emploees

Case Studies of Employment Screenings for Mid-Career Recruitment

This article sheds light on the fundamental aspects of selecting and screening executive candidates during hiring. By doing so, organizations can avoid various employee-related issues such as work negligence, violation of work orders, and any form of harassment at the workplace, including reverse harassment.  The article also highlights the importance of complying with legal and ethical standards. Effective screenings can also prevent criminal incidents such as embezzlement, misappropriation, and information

check

Practice of Reference Checks in Japan

This article will explain the procedures and precautions for companies to conduct pre-employment screening (background surveys and reference checks) of recruitment candidates. Resume Check Given the inflated cost of engaging in an external pre-employment screening, it might be sensible to check resumes’ credibility first. Only those needing attention based on these criteria can undergo a thorough pre-employment screening. This approach saves resources while ensuring a rigorous recruitment process. We will

child

International Marriage in Japan

International marriages in Japan have a higher divorce rate than domestic marriages. Cultural and language differences cause communication and understanding problems between spouses from different backgrounds. It’s also been found that Japanese women and foreign men get married a lot in Japan, and these marriages are more likely to end in divorce. Aside from child abduction, there is also an issue related to international marriages and a cultural gap that

Luxury Hotel

Surveillance of Visitors to Japan

As a result of the convergence of COVID-19, overseas travel is no longer restricted. Thus, surveillance of foreign travelers is returning to pre-pandemic levels. When doing surveillance of visitors to Japan, PIs must be familiar with the hotel conditions where the visitors are staying. In business transactions or domestic disputes, PIs are often asked to monitor travelers When doing surveillance of visitors to Japan, PIs must be familiar with the

research

Introduction of Background Checks and DBS UK

There has been no shortage of vicious stalker murders. Police warnings against stalker behavior have not been a complete deterrent. A criminal history reference system and a registration system for sex offenders are being considered in Japan because of the high recidivism rate of sex offenders. Based on the DBS concept used in the UK, Japanese authorities have been considering adopting a sex offenders monitoring system for serial offenders including

GPS

Can GPS Trackers Be Used In Covert Surveillance?

The purpose of this article is to explain how laws in Japan and the US affect the use of GPS trackers (including AirTags and so on) without the consent of the target individual. State laws vary from state to state in the United States. We will discuss some typical incidents reported in the news regarding US laws. Nevada Litigation Over GPS Tracker A news article reported that a mayor in

kids

Quick Guide to Divorce And Child Custody In Japan

We will discuss the child custody issues in a divorce. Common Patterns After Divorce In Japan, the mother traditionally raises minor children when a couple divorces. Divorced fathers rarely see their children. The sole custody system still exists in Japan. After a divorce has been finalized, either the father or the mother has sole custody of the children. In most divorces, the mother gets custody and parental authority, and the

child

Six Things You Should Be Careful About The Hague Child Abduction Convention In Japan

We took an interview from Pursuit Magazine about Six Things You Should Be Careful About The Hague Child Abduction Convention In Japan. Below are the questions and answers between the interviewer and Japan PI.  What experience do you have with the Hague Convention? We provide specialized investigative services in Japan for non-Japanese clients. As a detective agency, we are often called upon to investigate the whereabouts of children brought into

vanishing

Johatsu – The Vanishing People in Japan

There is a general perception in Western countries that we have more missing persons in Japan than in the rest of the world, thanks to the media coverage about Japan in the West.  We wonder if this is true. We discuss this topic here.  The Vanished: The “Evaporated People” of Japan in Stories and Photographs, written by a French journalist Since the following book was published in September 2016, Japan

privacy

Private Detective Industry And The Act on Protection Of Personal Information

Japanese PIs and The Act On Protection Of Personal Information To understand the relationship between the Japanese private detective industry and the Act on Protection of Personal Information, we will explain the Prime Incident this time. The Prime Incident was a case where the police simultaneously busted information sources of PIs for unauthorized acquisition or leakage of personal information from 2011 to 2013. There is a registration system, but not

Fichot Hunger Strike

Father on Hunger Strike for Jont Child Custody

Japanese ex-wife of Mr. Vincent Fichot, a Frenchman living in Japan, took away his two children in August 2018. Since then, he hasn’t been able to see his kids. Since July 10, 2021, he has been on a hunger strike in front of Sendagaya Station in Tokyo, calling for the introduction of a joint custody system and legal amendments to prevent parental child abduction. When He Got Home, His Wife

japan

Heir Search In Japan From Overseas Clients

Foreign lawyers or trustees often contact us regarding the whereabouts of Japanese heirs.  Japanese Citizen Documentation System The citizen record system in Japan is the Koseki family register records. Finding relatives is easy if you have access to the family register. However, it is challenging to access the family register registration. When asked for an heir’s whereabouts from outside Japan, we have to overcome many complicated tasks. You must first

Hague Child Abduction Case Study in Japan

A Japanese wife took her child away from her home from an American husband. The husband requested us to locate the child. The client lives in the United States, and there was a son born in March 2018. However, in December 2019, his wife took her son and returned from the U.S. to a local city in Japan, where she had come from. The client appealed for the return of

Real Estate Japan

Business Practices of Japanese Real Estate Agencies

As a private investigative agency in Japan, we are able to assist the clients who are planning to purchase real estate properties in Japan. Our services include the background checks about the real estate agencies, due diligence of the properties, the location investigation of the missing owners of the real estate properties, and so on. Below are the brief explanations about the type of real estate agencies and business practices

Coronavirus

Counter Measures against New Coronavirus

Japan PI has been originally based on an online shop + telework business environment, so the effects from the coronavirus pandemic are minimal.  However, it is unavoidable to go out and move during the field investigation, so when moving, all employees at Japan PI take the utmost care in preventing infection. The main business of Japan PI is inbound investigations from overseas (investigations in Japan requested by overseas clients).  We

reliability

What is the definition of anti-social forces? -about Japanese Mafia-

According to the 2007 Ministry of Justice guidelines, “anti-social forces” are defined as “groups or individuals who pursue economic interests using violence, power, and deception.”Do you think anti-social forces are euphemisms for yakuza or gangsters? Certainly, gangs are included, but they are more widely applied.

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