Job Discussion Forums

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Hi everyone,
i was wondering if anyone knows about the Takori's. Aiko and Kunio Takori. They live in Tara cho in Saga ken. Kunio is a mechanic. I'm gathering information on them.

Has anyone had problems with them in the past? Anyone heard about them scamming other ALT's? Has anyone been scammed themselves?

If your answer was no to all of these questions but you have a firm grasp on the legal system in Japan, please answer these following questions.

1. I've heard that explicit lying is normal in Japan. Is fraud then not seen as serious as it is in North America?

2. In order to get a consultation with a lawyer, do you have to pay a fee? I've had consultations in Canada and didn't have to pay a fee.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
cheryl

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Shmooj,

By explicit lying is different than going behind your back lying. I:ve heard that it is ok for the Japanese to lie to a person:s face if they feel pressured,backed into a corner, or whatever. I:ve only heard about this, and have experienced it one time only. This is why i posed the question as a, "i:ve heard that..." instead of a " In Japan people...".

I don:t want to get into too much detail about my situation in case of commiting slander. I don:t have all the information on this couple yet so i:m hesitant to say anything definite about them.

Just for a short explaination. When i came to Japan, i realized i needed a car. A friend (who:s trustworthy) introduced me to the Takori:s. I had told them that i didn:t want a car older than 11 yrs, and that i wanted to buy a car from them. After money had been exchanged, (they said they:d handle all the necessary paperwork) and after i:d had the car for a couple of months, by chance i went to get the car checked out b/c of problems with my breaks. I then found out that the i was actually renting the car, and that it was 16 years old.

This was my initial problem. Since then they:ve deceived me by telling me things that were not true. i.e. They told me that person A said such and such, and when i went to A, she said that she did not say such in such. This lying caused me to loose 2 man. Also, they lied about things like saying that my insurance papers were mailed out to me and were lost in the mail. I called the insurance company and found out that the company mailed out my papers to the Takori:s. All these phone calls and discussions happened with me and a translator since i can:t speak Japanese. Anyways, that:s the situation. So far, i:m out 11 man, and i want it all back. I:ve also already given them back the car.

Cheryl

Sherri · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2003 1:09 am Post subject:

Cheryl
I don't know if this link will help, but give it a try
http://www.business.australia.or.jp/fukuoka/english/legal.html

They seem to list places that give free legal aid. I copied a couple below. I used Google and searched with the key words "kyushu, legal aid"
Good luck
Sherri

Legal Counseling
Tenjin Legal Advice Center (Free of Charge) 3rd Fl. Sunlight Bldg., 5-23-8 Watanabe-dori,
Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi 810-0043
Tel:(092)737-7555 Every 4th Friday, 13:00-16:00

Rainbow Plaza (Free of Charge) IMS Bldg. 8F, 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku,
Fukuoka-shi 810-0001 10:00-20:00
Tel:(092-733-2220
Fax:(092)733-2215

"Kokusai Hiroba" - Fukuoka Int'l Exchange Foundation (Free) ACROSS Fukuoka 3F, 1-1-1 Chuo-ku,
Tenjin, Fukuoka-shi 810-0001
Tel:(092)725-9200
Fax:(092)725-9206
*Immigration Counseling
2nd&4th Sunday, 13:00-16:00 Tel:562-8640
*Human Rights Counseling
2nd Wednesday, 13:00-16:00 Tel:721-9166
Shimin Sodan-s hitsu, Fukuoka City Office 2F 1-8-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi
Tel:(092)751-1144
(092)711-4019

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

Sorry I can`t help you at all, but sounds like something that might happen in ANY country in the world - let`s not let the Japanese own this one exclusively.

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Thank you Sherri,

your post was most helpful!!!

Benj: never once did i say that lying was indicative of Japan and only Japan. All i said was...*sigh* please read the msg again.

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

The police won't get involved in these "personal money matters" but small claims court might be the way.

Heck the threat of legal action got me 75% of my "Shikikin" deposite money back

That might be a good start..

The best thing would be to get as much of your cash back as possible and give back the car.

It's probably a piece of junk.

A 16 year old car in Japan is worth, oh le't see, about 10,000 yen.

Just curious, who are you renting this car from?

These people?

Keep us informed.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Mike L: Yeah, you're right. I have a friend in the police department who called the Takori's. Now they're willing to "negotiate".

I'm trying to get most of my money back but since they have it, and i depend on them to give it back...it's difficult. Also, i've already given back the car...and you're right, it was/is a piece of junk.

The people i was "renting" the car from are called the Takori's. Aiko and Kunio Takori. Kunio is a mechanic and lives in Tara cho...southern Saga ken just above Nagasaki. I'd love for everyone to know about them and to STAY FAR FAR AWAY from them. I only offered to pay rent for a month because i used it for 2 wks after i knew that they had scammed me. I should have given it back sooner.

Markle: actually, the used car sales people (only 2) that i've met here were pretty honest, but then, i've only met 2.

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

I don't know how much your out but if it's only a few brown notes you might want o forget about it.

However if it's a lot and you still want some satisfaction try contacting:

City hall: Especially the tax department might like to know about this little scam.

Comsumer complaints bureaus , like the ones for tennats, are usually good for a phone call or two..

The local association of auto mechanics, perhaps a national organization.

The local paper. etc etc I saw a letter to the Asahi shimbun get a public school to back off totaly reasonable policies just because the paper "called them" Not a good thing though.

Not any of these agencies are necessariliy involved but by gettng the word out you may induce a few more phone calls and apply more preassure.

The thing sounds dodgy so I wonder how they'd like inquires fro the tax office, insurance companies etc, etc....

Take heart this could happen to you anywhere.

Thieves operate out in the open in Japan, or any country, because of lax enforcement of existing laws, disfunctional courts and the fact that many people won't pursue money they are owed.

In Japan, the landlord tennant relationship is a prime example of this.

Whatever you do don't let this turn you off japan. You've probably learned a lot from it. Idea

Take heart this could happen to you anywhere. Wink

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

cheryl · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Japan

Benj, the question was rhetorical. Besides, how could i make something sound like it never happens in the U.S. when i've never lived in the U.S.

(btw, that was rhetorical too)

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Hey Cheyrl what's going on with this?

Did you get your cash back?

Did you make any progress in shutting this scam down?

What legal measures have you taken?

Let us know!