Why you may not be able to get an old koseki forever
When a family register is closed, the town keeps it for a set time. That time has changed, and it matters for anyone whose family goes back to the Meiji era (1868–1912).
From 80 years to 150 years
Until 2010, the time was 80 years, and some towns threw away older registers. In 2010 Japan raised it to 150 years. Some older registers have already been lost to fires, earthquakes or the war.
When the oldest registers reach 150 years
The oldest koseki most families can get today were started in 1886. Registers closed in the 1880s and 1890s reach 150 years in the late 2030s and the 2040s. After that, the law no longer requires the town to keep them. Many towns may keep them longer, but no one can promise that.
What this means for your family
If your family's register goes back to the Meiji era, it is worth requesting a copy while you still can. You can request it yourself from outside Japan, by mail. Our free guide shows each step.
Free guide: How to get your ancestor's koseki from outside Japan
Find the village your family came from
No koseki needed to start. Send us your Issei ancestor's name and roughly when and where they arrived. Our Village Finder searches the records for the one that names the home village. You pay only if we find it.