For companies doing business in or with Japan
Japan's new business rules, in plain English.
Every day we check new notices from Japan's ministries on labor, logistics, food, trade and more. AI picks the ones that matter to companies doing business in Japan and summarizes them in English: who is affected, what to do, and by when. For businesses only.
How it works
- 1We check new notices from Japanese ministries every day
- 2AI summarizes them in English: who, what to do, by when
- 3You get them by email
Latest notices
- ImportantDue Dec 4, 2026
Public comment on draft amendment to the basic policy for strengthening SME management (METI/MHLW notice)
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are seeking public comments on a draft amendment to the Basic Policy for Strengthening the Management of SMEs, issued under Article 3 of the SME Management Strengthening Act (中小企業等経営強化法). The comment period runs from 5 November 2026 to 4 December 2026. The text provided does not describe the specific changes, which are only in the attached draft PDF.
- ImportantDue Dec 4, 2026
MAFF seeks public comment on draft amendment to the JAS standard for 素材 (sozai)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has opened a voluntary public comment period on a draft partial amendment to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for 素材. The draft is issued under Article 3(1) of the Japanese Agricultural Standards Act (日本農林規格等に関する法律), as applied by Article 5. The comment period runs from 5 November 2026 to 4 December 2026.
- ImportantDue Dec 4, 2026
Public comment on draft amendment to the list of processed seafood products under the Fisheries Distribution Proper Act rules
The Fisheries Agency (MAFF) is seeking public comments on a draft amendment to a ministerial notification under the Act on Proper Distribution of Specified Aquatic Animals and Plants (水産流通適正化法). The notification sets which processed products are covered by the Act's rules (Articles 2 and 4 of the Enforcement Regulation). The text of the specific changes is in the attached PDFs, which were not included in this notice.
- ImportantDue Dec 5, 2026
Public comment on draft amendment to the enforcement order of the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Businesses
The National Police Agency is seeking public comments on a draft cabinet order that would amend the enforcement order (施行令) of the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Businesses, etc. (風俗営業等の規制及び業務の適正化等に関する法律). The draft was published on 2026-11-06 under Articles 20(8) and 43 of the Act. The notice itself does not change any rules, and the draft text is available in the attached PDFs.
- Action requiredDue Nov 27, 2026
MAFF orders Tsuritsu Co. to correct mislabeled origin on business-use salted mackerel fillets
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) found that Tsuritsu Co. mislabeled the origin of mackerel and the country of origin on its business-use salted mackerel fillets, sold between July 31, 2025 and January 31, 2026 (19,215 kg in total). Under the Food Labeling Act, MAFF has ordered the company to inspect and correct its labels, investigate the causes, strengthen labeling checks and staff training, and submit a report. The violations were of the Food Labeling Standards.
- Important
From January 2027, Japan's trade statistics will track exports of packaged rice, instant miso soup, carbonated drinks and 6 other food items separately
From January 2027 trade data, the Ministry of Finance's trade statistics (貿易統計) will break out export figures for nine food products, including packaged cooked rice, instant miso soup, carbonated drinks such as ramune, soy sauce products, frozen pizza and takoyaki, konjac products, oyster meat, fried oysters and dried scallop adductors. The new statistical subdivisions will record destination, value and quantity for these items more accurately. The change is aimed at helping the government plan export support for these products.
- FYI
MLIT launches a logistics 'general opinion desk' for reporting on-site problems
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) opened a single email channel on March 22, 2024 for logistics concerns from the field. Submissions are shared with the police, consumer affairs, labor, agriculture, economy and environment ministries. The aim is to address logistics bottlenecks quickly, especially those arising after April 2024.
- Important
MLIT opens consultation desk for warehouse and freight forwarding operators on price pass-through and negotiation
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has opened a consultation desk, starting 15 April 2024, for questions on passing on price increases and on price negotiations. It follows the government's logistics reform package and the 2023 guidelines on passing on labor costs through price negotiations, which set out 12 action principles for both clients and contractors. Consultations are accepted by email.
Topics
Japan labor law changes 2026
New and upcoming rules for employers in Japan from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and other ministries: working hours, wages, social insurance, harassment and foreign workers.
Japan minimum wage 2026
Notices about regional and industry minimum wages in Japan, with the effective dates stated in each notice.
Japan food labeling rules
Changes to food labeling standards, additives, allergens, residues and hygiene rules from the Consumer Affairs Agency, MHLW and MAFF, plus food recalls.
Japan logistics 2024 problem
Notices from MLIT and MHLW on truck driver working hours, standard freight rates, shipper obligations and other measures following Japan's 2024 logistics reforms.
Upcoming Japanese regulatory deadlines
Every notice with a deadline for businesses, soonest first. Deadlines are taken from the original notices.
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FAQ
- Are the translations accurate?
- They are written by AI from the original Japanese and may contain mistakes. Every notice links to the original. Always check the original (or a professional) before acting on it.
- Where does the information come from?
- We check public notices from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Financial Services Agency, and e-Gov public comments every day.
- Do you give legal advice or file paperwork?
- No. This is an information service only. We don't file applications or notifications, and we don't give individual legal, tax or immigration advice.
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- Use "Manage subscription" at the bottom of any email. You can keep using the plan until the end of the paid period.
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- Every email has an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom.