Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services
Japan's Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT, Act No. 57 of 1976, substantially amended 2021-2023) regulates commercial transactions including online digital services, subscription services, and in-app purchases. The 2021 amendments specifically addressed dark patterns in digital commerce, requiring clear pricing disclosure, prohibition on misleading final confirmation screens, and cooling-off rights for digital subscriptions. Enforced by the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA). Particularly relevant for gaming microtransactions and digital subscriptions.
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Framework Domains (8)
JP ASCT Door-to-Door + Telemarketing
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Door-to-Door-Telemarketing-Art3-10-16-25-Cooling-Off-8-Days-Records-Identification-Document-Delivery | Japan ASCT Door-to-Door Sales + Telemarketing Sales + Articles 3-10 + 16-25 + 8-Day Cooling-Off + Records + Identification + Document Delivery + Pressure Sales Prevention + Solicitation Refusal Notification |
JP ASCT Mail-Order + Internet + 2023 Amendment
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Mail-Order-Internet-Sales-Art11-15-2-2023-Final-Order-Confirmation-Screen-Dark-Pattern-Prohibition | Japan ASCT Mail-Order Sales + Internet Sales + Articles 11-15-2 + 2023 Amendment + Final Order Confirmation Screen + Dark Pattern Prohibition + Subscription Disclosure + Auto-Renewal Notice + Cancellation Easy |
JP ASCT Multilevel Marketing + MLM
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-MLM-Multilevel-Network-Marketing-Art33-40-3-20-Day-Cooling-Off-Recruitment-Restrictions-Pyramid-Scheme | Japan ASCT Multilevel Marketing + Network Business + Articles 33-40-3 + 20-Day Cooling-Off + Recruitment Restrictions + Pyramid Scheme Detection + Income Disclosure + Distributor Termination Rights |
JP ASCT Penalties + Enforcement
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Penalties-Enforcement-Art70-76-CAA-Improvement-Suspension-Public-Naming-3M-JPY-3-Years-Director-Liability | Japan ASCT Penalties + Enforcement + Articles 70-76 + CAA Business Improvement Orders + Business Suspension Orders + Public Naming + Up to JPY 3 Million + 3 Years Imprisonment + Director Personal Liability + Qualified Consumer Organisation Injunctions |
JP ASCT Platform + Cross-Cutting
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Platform-Operator-Cross-Cutting-Obligations-Marketplace-Seller-Verification-Listing-Removal-CAA-Cooperation-AML-APPI-Integration | Japan ASCT Platform Operator Obligations + Marketplace Seller Verification + Listing Removal + Cross-Cutting Compliance + CAA + APPI Integration + AML/CFT + JFTC + Specified Email Act + Stealth Marketing Self-Regulation |
JP ASCT Scope + CAA + Six Types
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Scope-CAA-Tokutei-Shotorihiki-Six-Transaction-Types-Digital-Services-2023-Amendment-1976-Act-No-57 | Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Scope + Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) Administration + Six Transaction Types + Digital Services 2023 Amendment + 1976 Act No. 57 + Tokutei Shotorihiki Ho |
JP ASCT Specified Continuous Service
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Specified-Continuous-Service-Art41-50-Foreign-Language-Tutoring-Cosmetic-Surgery-Computer-School-Matchmaking-8-Day-Mid-term-Cancellation | Japan ASCT Specified Continuous Service + Articles 41-50 + Foreign Language + Tutoring + Cosmetic Surgery + Medical Services + Computer Schools + Matchmaking + 8-Day Cooling-Off + Mid-Term Cancellation Right + Refund Formula |
JP ASCT Visit Purchase + Anti-Fraud
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| JP-ASCT-Visit-Purchase-Art58-3-58-12-Door-to-Door-BUYING-Senior-Protection-8-Day-Cooling-Off-Gold-Jewellery-Anti-Fraud | Japan ASCT Visit Purchase + Articles 58-3 to 58-12 + Door-to-Door BUYING from Consumers + Senior Protection + 8-Day Cooling-Off + Gold + Jewellery + Anti-Fraud + Cooling-Off Hold + Identification + Document Delivery |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services?
Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services is a compliance framework from Japan (CAA) with 8 domains and 8 controls. Japan's Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT, Act No. 57 of 1976, substantially amended 2021-2023) regulates commercial transactions including online digital services, subscription services, and in-app purchases. The 2021 amendments specifically addressed dark patterns in digital commerce, requiring clear pricing disclosure, prohibition on misleading final confirmation screens, and cooling-off rights for digital subscriptions. Enforced by the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA). Particularly relevant for gaming microtransactions and digital subscriptions. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services have?
Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services has 8 controls organised across 8 domains. The largest domains are JP ASCT Door-to-Door + Telemarketing (1 controls), JP ASCT Mail-Order + Internet + 2023 Amendment (1 controls), JP ASCT Multilevel Marketing + MLM (1 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services map to?
Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services does not currently have cross-framework mappings in our system. Check back as we continuously expand our mapping database.
How do I get started with Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services compliance?
Start your Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Japan Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT) - Digital Services requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 8 controls and track your progress.
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