City repatriation guide
Repatriation from Tokyo, Japan
Specific guidance for arranging repatriation from Tokyo. Local documentation contacts, airport cargo routes, and the typical process for cases originating in this area.
Japan has one of the most structured and legally precise death investigation systems in the world. The process for repatriation to the UK is, for a natural death with a certified cause, among the most straightforward in Asia. Where a forensic examination is required, it is thorough and the documentation it produces is well-regarded by UK receiving authorities. The main constraint is language: virtually all official documents are issued in Japanese, and certified translations are required.
What Japanese law requires
Japan operates a dual system. Deaths with a certifiable medical cause are handled by the treating physician, who issues a death certificate (死亡診断書, Shibo-shindan-sho). Deaths that are sudden, unattended, or where the cause cannot be certified by a treating physician are referred to the medical examiner (監察医, Kantatsu-i). Tokyo is one of a small number of cities with a dedicated Medical Examiner’s Office (東京都監察医務院, Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Examiner’s Office). This is a key advantage compared to smaller Japanese cities, where forensic resources are more limited.
Where the Medical Examiner determines that a criminal investigation is warranted, the case is referred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. In these cases the timeline extends significantly.
The documentation chain
1. 死亡診断書 or 死体検案書. Either the physician’s death certificate (Shibo-shindan-sho) or the Medical Examiner’s autopsy certificate (Shitai-kansho-sho), depending on circumstances.
2. 死亡届 (Shibo-todoke) — Death notification. The next of kin or funeral director files this at the local municipal office (区役所, ku-yakusho) within 7 days of death.
3. 埋火葬許可証 (Maika-so Kyokasho) — Cremation or burial permit. Issued by the local ward office. This permit also functions as the initial movement permit.
4. International export permit. Japan does not have a single standardised international export permit for human remains. The relevant documentation is assembled by the licensed Japanese funeral director and endorsed by the municipal authority and, where applicable, the medical examiner. British Embassy Tokyo can advise on specific requirements.
5. Certified Japanese-to-English translations of all official documents. Required by UK receiving authorities and UK registrars.
6. Embalming certificate. Embalming is not a cultural norm in Japan, but is required for air transport. The licensed Japanese funeral director arranges this.
7. Freedom from infection certificate.
8. IATA airline cargo documentation.
Source: Act on Postmortem Examination and Anatomical Dissection (Japan), 1949 (as amended); Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Examiner’s Office, 2024; FCDO Japan travel advice, 2024.
Airport and cargo routing
Tokyo is served by two international airports:
- Narita International Airport (NRT): Main international hub, 60–70 km east of central Tokyo. British Airways operates NRT-LHR direct.
- Haneda Airport (HND): Closer to central Tokyo. Also has direct LHR services (British Airways, Japan Airlines). HND is generally the preferred cargo point for Tokyo-origin cases.
British consular contacts
The British Embassy Tokyo is at No. 1, Ichiban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8381. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Timeline from Tokyo
- Natural death with certifiable cause: 7 to 14 days (including translation time)
- Medical Examiner examination: 14 to 21 days
- Police/Prosecutor investigation: 4 to 8 weeks
Key local considerations
Tokyo is Japan’s primary hub for British business travellers and tourists. Deaths among older tourists with cardiac conditions and deaths during extended business trips are the most common repatriation cases from Tokyo. The city’s medical infrastructure is excellent by global standards, which reduces the complexity of hospital-certified deaths.
For information on the wider repatriation process from Japan, see our Japan repatriation guide.
For guidance on next steps, contact our team via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Information based on Japanese legal statutes on postmortem examination and FCDO Japan Embassy documentation. Last reviewed May 2026.
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