Consumer Protection - Japan Compliance

Japan Compliance

Consumer Protection

A collection of 10 posts

Key points: AUPMR preliminary injunctions, Tokyo High Court 2022 ruling, substantiation hurdles, compliance tips

Competition / Antitrust Law

Can You Stop a CAA Cease-and-Desist? Preliminary Injunctions Against Misleading-Advertising Orders in Japan

TL;DR * The article explains why obtaining a preliminary injunction against Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) orders under Japan’s Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (AUPMR) is exceptionally difficult. * It details the “reasonable grounds” substantiation rule, analyses the Tokyo High Court’s 13 Apr 2022 decision, and offers compliance

Slide summarizing Japan’s two-stage collective consumer redress process after the 2023 amendments—key stages, SQCO roles, expanded damages, and business compliance pointers.

Consumer Protection

Collective Consumer Redress in Japan (2023 Amendments): How the Two-Stage System Impacts Businesses

TL;DR Japan’s collective consumer redress system is a two-stage, opt-in mechanism run by government-certified consumer organizations. The 2023 amendments widen claim scope (including non-pecuniary damages), broaden defendant categories, lengthen deadlines and create support bodies—making lawsuits more feasible. Businesses should tighten consumer-law compliance, prepare for early data preservation

Slide outlining Japan’s 2023 stealth-marketing ban: advertiser control test, mandatory #広告/#PR tags, CAA enforcement workflow and business compliance tips

Consumer Protection

Stealth Marketing Ban in Japan: New Disclosure Rules & Compliance Playbook (2025)

TL;DR Since October 2023 Japan outlaws undisclosed “stealth marketing” across all media. Any promotion whose content is influenced by the advertiser must be clearly labelled (#広告, #PR, #ad, etc.). Violators face Consumer Affairs Agency orders and public shaming, so brands, influencers and agencies need airtight disclosure policies and contracts.

One-slide checklist of Japan e-commerce laws—consumer disclosures, APPI, IP registration, payment options, import rules

Consumer Protection

Entering Japan’s E-commerce Market: Legal Essentials for Foreign Sellers

TL;DR * Japan’s e-commerce boom is attractive but highly regulated: consumer law, APPI, IP, payments and import rules all apply extraterritorially. * Direct sales carry the heaviest compliance load; marketplaces or local agents can mitigate risk but reduce control. * Clear disclosures under the Specified Commercial Transactions Act, APPI-compliant privacy notices,

World-map graphic comparing Japan, US and EU ad-regulation pillars: deception tests, surcharge/penalty types, substantiation timing and influencer-liability matrix.

Consumer Protection

Japan, US, and EU Advertising Regulation: A Comparative Look at Japan's Keihyōhō

TL;DR * Japan’s Keihyōhō, the FTC Act (§5) and the EU’s UCP Directive all ban deceptive advertising, yet diverge on enforcement: Japan relies on a 3 % (4.5 % repeat) turnover surcharge and a new commitment procedure; the FTC wields civil penalties and broad “unfairness” powers, while the EU

Flowchart summarising Keihyōhō compliance for online ads: advertiser liability, affiliate monitoring loop, mandatory #AD/#PR disclosure, and stealth-marketing prohibition effective Oct 2023.

Consumer Protection

Digital Deception or Fair Play? Applying Japan's Premiums and Representations Act to Online Advertising

TL;DR * Japan’s Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Keihyōhō) applies fully to online ads; there is no “digital carve-out.” * Advertisers are liable for affiliate and influencer claims; 2022 guidelines mandate contracts, monitoring and swift takedowns. * As of Oct 2023, undisclosed “stealth marketing” is expressly prohibited: ads must

Infographic outlining Keihyōhō 2023 enforcement upgrade: 4.5 % repeat-offender surcharge, sales-estimation flow, direct criminal fines and compliance checklist for advertisers.

Consumer Protection

Raising the Stakes: Enhanced Surcharges and Penalties under Japan's Amended Premiums and Representations Act

TL;DR * The 2023 amendments to Japan’s Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Keihyōhō) heighten risk: repeat surcharges jump from 3 % to 4.5 %; the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) may estimate sales when data are missing; and intentional core misrepresentations now draw direct criminal fines (up to ¥1

Infographic showing the Keihyōhō commitment procedure flow

Consumer Protection

A New Path for Resolution: Understanding Commitment Procedures under Japan's Revised Premiums and Representations Act

TL;DR * Japan’s 2023 amendments to the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Keihyōhō) introduced a commitment procedure (effective 1 Oct 2024) that lets companies avoid cease-and-desist and surcharge orders if the Consumer Affairs Agency certifies their remedial plan. * Eligibility is limited; egregious or repeat cases are excluded,

Infographic summarising 2023 Keihyōhō reform: commitment procedure flow, 4.5 % repeat-surcharge, direct criminal fines and digital-ad compliance checklist.

Consumer Protection

Key Changes in Japan's 2023 Premiums and Representations Act Revision

TL;DR * Japan’s 2023 amendments to the Premiums and Representations Act (effective 1 Oct 2024) introduce a voluntary commitment procedure that lets companies avoid cease-and-desist and surcharge orders if a remedial plan is approved and fully executed. * Repeat offenders face a higher surcharge rate of 4.5 % (up from

Slide explaining Japan’s 2023 “sutema” ban: two-element test, mandatory 「広告/PR」 disclosure, CAA penalties and compliance checklist for influencer campaigns.

Consumer Protection

“Sutema” No More: Japan’s 2023 Stealth-Marketing Rules & How to Comply

TL;DR * Since 1 Oct 2023 Japan bans undisclosed influencer promotions (“sutema”) as a misleading representation under the Keihyōhō. * Two elements trigger liability: (1) the post is deemed the advertiser’s own ad and (2) consumers cannot readily tell it’s advertising. * Brands must embed clear 「広告 / PR」 disclosure in