Magus International Legal Office
Legal Review
We will investigate Japanese laws, regulations, permits, and licenses related to the importation of your business, services, and products into Japan and the development of your business in Japan.
- What laws and regulations are relevant to your business and services when your company penetrate Japan?
- What permits and licenses do you need to obtain in order to sell your products?
- How much does it cost and how long does it take for obtaining permits and licenses?
- How likely is it that you can obtain permits and licenses? (Just applying for permits and licenses is not enough to obtain them. (Presumption of denial) You must prepare for applying properly.
- What specifications and business schemes will help reduce costs involved in obtaining permits and licenses?
If you are planning to expand into Japanese market, you must understand and comply with Japanese laws and regulations. This will reduce the risk of being arrested later by Japanese regulatory agencies.
Legal compliances vary depending on your products and business model. For example, if you import AC/DC adopters for PCs or network equipment into Japan, you must comply with PSE (Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act). Also, if you import smartphones into Japan, you must comply with Radio Act and Telecommunications Business Act in addition to PSE compliance of AC/DC adopters as accessories.
Products that don't comply with Japanese laws, regulations, permits and licenses may go through Japanese customs. Therefore, even if products go through customs, it does not necessarily mean that they comply with Japanese laws, regulations, permits and licenses.
When you import a chemical product, even for sample or R&D purposes, a certificate of prior-confirmation by the METI minister are required. Furthermore, in this case, permits and licenses as an importer Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act are not required because the chemical product is used only for captive consumption. However, you have to get permission for the import by Regional Bureau Health and Welfare.
Example 1
Client's concern:
We would like to bring a chemical product (CAS No. xyz) to Japan to collaborate with Japanese engineers. Please tell us about Japanese laws, regulations, permits and licenses involved in this.
Summary of Review Results:
When you import a chemical product, even for sample or R&D purposes, a certificate of prior-confirmation by the METI minister are required. Furthermore, in this case, permits and licenses as an importer Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act are not required because the chemical product is used only for captive consumption. However, you have to get permission for the import by Regional Bureau Health and Welfare.Examples 2
Client's concern:
We would like to release our application in Japan. Please tell us about Japanese laws, regulations, permits and licenses involved in this.
Summary of Review Results:
About releasing app in Japan, this
application has xyz features, and you have to comply with Japanse Telecommunications
Business Act.
FAQs
Q：If the results of the licensing review indicate that a license/permission is required, can you help us obtain the license/permission?
A: In principle, yes. However, some permits and licenses do not allow us to apply on behalf of our clients, so in such cases, we may instruct our clients on how to prepare the necessary documents and how to apply for the permit or license, and ask them to proceed with the procedures on their own.
Q：What are the fees and turnaround time for permit reviews/product legal checks?
A：It depends on the nature of the product, business, or service that is the subject of the review or legal check, and is estimated on a time-charge basis. Please send us materials, URLs, etc. that provide an overview of your product, business, or service when you request a quote.