The Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (Tokutei Shotorihiki ni kansuru Horitsu 特定商取引に関する法律) is Act No. 57 of 4 June 1976 (Showa 51 Act No. 57) administered by the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA 消費者庁) as Japan's foundational consumer protection statute covering specified commercial transaction types. The Act has been amended multiple times including the major Digital Services Amendments effective 1 June 2023 (令和5年改正) introducing specific online subscription + dark pattern + cooling-off period requirements for internet transactions. (1) Six Specified Transaction Types per ASCT Chapter II + III + IV + V + V-2 + VI: (a) Door-to-Door Sales (Houmonhanbai 訪問販売) Chapter II Section 2 - Articles 3-10 - sales conducted at consumer location away from seller's premises; (b) Mail-Order Sales (Tsushinhanbai 通信販売) Chapter II Section 3 - Articles 11-15-4 - includes ALL ONLINE/INTERNET SALES + catalog + TV shopping + mail; (c) Telemarketing Sales (Denwakanyuhanbai 電話勧誘販売) Chapter II Section 4 - Articles 16-25 - sales initiated via unsolicited phone calls; (d) Multilevel Marketing Transactions (Rendoshikihanbai 連鎖販売取引 / Network Business) Chapter III - Articles 33-40-3 - MLM + network marketing + pyramid-style with goods/services; (e) Specified Continuous Service Transactions (Tokutei Keizokutekiekimu 特定継続的役務提供) Chapter IV - Articles 41-50 - long-term service contracts including foreign language schools + tutoring + aesthetic/cosmetic surgery + medical services + computer schools + matchmaking services + minimum value/duration thresholds; (f) Business Opportunity Sales Transactions (Gyomu Teikyou Yuin Hanbai 業務提供誘引販売取引) Chapter V - Articles 51-58-2 - sales with promise of work/business opportunity; (g) Visit Purchases (Houmonkounyu 訪問購入) Chapter V Section 2 - Articles 58-3-58-12 - door-to-door BUYING from consumers (added 2013 to address gold/jewellery scams). (2) Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) per Consumer Affairs Agency and Consumer Commission Establishment Act 2009: (a) established 1 September 2009 + part of Cabinet Office + headquartered Tokyo; (b) responsible for consumer policy + enforcement; (c) Commissioner-General (Chokan 長官) appointed by Prime Minister; (d) Sectoral Bureaus including Consumer Education Promotion Bureau + Consumer Safety Bureau + Trade Promotion Bureau + Specified Commercial Transaction Bureau; (e) Local Consumer Affairs Centers (Shouhi Seikatsu Center 消費生活センター) for consumer complaints + mediation. (3) 2023 Digital Services Amendment (令和5年改正特商法): (a) effective 1 June 2023; (b) enhanced online subscription disclosure - clear price + duration + cancellation terms; (c) Final Order Confirmation Screen requirements - clear display of total amount + product + delivery + cancellation policy + cooling-off availability; (d) Dark Pattern prohibitions - misleading UI/UX preventing easy cancellation; (e) Subscription Continuation Disclosure - automatic renewal terms + opt-out method; (f) Free Trial to Paid Conversion - mandatory pre-charge notification; (g) Cooling-off for internet sales - introduced where false/misleading representation. (4) Cooling-off Period (Kuringu Ofu クーリング・オフ) per Article 9 + 15-4 + 24 + 26 + 40 + 48 + 58-2 + 58-14: (a) Door-to-door 8 days; (b) Telemarketing 8 days; (c) Multilevel Marketing 20 days; (d) Specified Continuous Service 8 days; (e) Business Opportunity Sales 20 days; (f) Visit Purchases 8 days; (g) Mail-order traditionally NO cooling-off (purchase decision by consumer initiative) EXCEPT 2023 Amendment introduces cooling-off for internet sales where false/misleading information; (h) Notification by EMAIL + Letter + Electronic methods (2022 amendment formalised electronic cooling-off). (5) Mandatory Disclosures per Articles 11 + 13 + 15-2 (Mail-Order): (a) Seller identification - business name + representative name + address + phone + email; (b) Pricing - total amount including consumption tax + delivery + handling; (c) Payment methods + timing; (d) Delivery method + timing; (e) Cancellation/Return policy + cost allocation; (f) Cooling-off availability (or non-availability); (g) Subscription terms - duration + renewal + cancellation; (h) Personal Information use (APPI cross-reference). (6) Penalties per Articles 70-76: (a) Article 70 - false representation: up to JPY 3 million fine + 3 years imprisonment; (b) Article 71 - unlawful telemarketing: up to JPY 1 million fine + 1 year imprisonment; (c) Article 72 - direct mail violations: up to JPY 1 million; (d) Article 74 - minor infringements: up to JPY 1 million; (e) Article 75 - corporate liability heightened (dual liability for corporation + officer); (f) Administrative orders - cease and desist + business suspension; (g) Civil compensation. (7) CAA Enforcement Actions: (a) Business Improvement Orders (Gyomu Kaizen Meirei); (b) Business Suspension Orders (Gyomu Teishi Meirei); (c) Indictment Referrals to Public Prosecutor; (d) Public Naming (Kohyo) of violators; (e) Average ~300-500 enforcement actions per year; (f) High-profile actions against international platforms + e-commerce + subscription services. (8) Industry-Specific Application: (a) E-commerce platforms (Amazon Japan + Rakuten + Yahoo! Japan Shopping + Mercari); (b) Subscription services (SaaS + streaming + meal kits + magazines); (c) Foreign language schools (after Nova Corporation collapse 2007); (d) Aesthetic/cosmetic surgery (after Beauty Korea scandals); (e) Matchmaking services; (f) Investment business opportunities; (g) Pyramid scheme detection + prosecution. (9) Related Statutes: (a) Consumer Contract Act (Shouhisha Keiyaku Ho 消費者契約法) - general consumer contract voidability + misrepresentation; (b) Premiums and Representations Act (Keihinhyouji Ho 景品表示法) - false advertising + premium offers; (c) APPI Act on Protection of Personal Information; (d) Electronic Contracts Act (Denshikeiyaku Ho); (e) Specified Email Act (Tokutei Denshimerii Ho 特定電子メール法) - anti-spam; (f) Telecommunications Business Act; (g) Banking Act + Money Lending Business Act. Coordinates with Consumer Contract Act + Premiums and Representations Act + APPI + Electronic Contracts Act + Specified Email Act + JFTC Japan Fair Trade Commission + JIPDEC + Japan Direct Marketing Association (JADMA) + Japan E-Commerce Association + International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) + OECD Consumer Policy Toolkit + ASEAN Consumer Protection Committee + APEC Consumer Policy + UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection. Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) Scope + CAA + Six Types applies.
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