A Holographic will:

• must be written by hand*

• must be dated and signed

• must be stamped (if a will-maker is a Japanese national)

• requires NO witnesses

• can be changed and rewritten whenever you want

*The list of assets (Zaisan-mokuroku) can be typed.

However, each page of the list needs to be signed. (Civil Code Article968(2))

You can keep your holographic will at your home/bank/lawyer’s office or store it with the legal affairs bureau. (Act on Storage of wills in legal affairs bureau) 

If an heir finds the deceased’s holographic will outside the legal affairs bureau, he/she must take it to the Family Court. A will that has been sealed may not be opened unless in the family court in the attendance of an heir or his/her representative. (Civil Code Article 1004(3))