Specified Commercial Transactions Act Enforcement Actions in Japan

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Tamooka Ken (Arakawa-ku, Tokyo) and Fujii Katsumi (Taito-ku, Tokyo), who operate under the name Kanto Sogo Setubi and provide services related to repairs of water supply and drainage facilities such as toilets, kitchens, and washrooms through door-to-door sales, to suspend part of their door-to-door sales activities (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for three months from April 16 to July 15, Reiwa 8, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

On March 23, 2026, MIO was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 24, 2026, to September 23, 2026.

On March 26, 2026, Meilie was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 27, 2026, to September 26, 2026.

On March 26, 2026, WELLVY was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 27, 2026, to September 26, 2026.

On March 26, 2026, WELLVY was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 27, 2026, to September 26, 2026.

On March 26, 2026, Meilie was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 27, 2026, to September 26, 2026.

On March 23, 2026, MIO was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 24, 2026, to September 23, 2026.

On March 23, 2026, MIO was ordered to suspend part of its mail-order business (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from March 24, 2026, to September 23, 2026.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Pureas Co., Ltd., a mail-order seller of supplements, to suspend part of its mail-order operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for three months from March 17 to June 16, Reiwa 8, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Keigo Sakamoto, the representative director of Pureas, to cease certain business activities for three months from March 17, 2026, to June 16, 2026, based on Article 15-2, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, including the prohibition of engaging in new business activities within the scope of the business suspension order (including serving as an officer responsible for such business in the corporation conducting the business).

The Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered KIS&ecology, a door-to-door purchasing company that buys unwanted items such as tableware, flowerpots, precious metals, accessories, and gemstones, to suspend part of its operations related to door-to-door purchasing (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for six months from February 18 to August 17, Reiwa 8, based on Article 58-13, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

Ordered suspension of part of the business related to specified continuous services (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion).

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered KUROFUNE&Co Corporation, a door-to-door seller of secondhand jewelry, precious metals, watches, and brand bags, to suspend part of its door-to-door sales activities (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for nine months from November 27, 2023, to August 26, 2024, based on Article 58-13, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered BIZM Co., Ltd., a mail-order seller of beauty creams and similar products, to suspend part of its mail-order operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from November 6, 2025, to May 5, 2026.

Ordered to suspend part of the e-commerce operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from September 10, 2025, to March 9, 2026.

The Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Eco Life Co., Ltd., a door-to-door purchasing business that buys unnecessary items such as clothing and tableware, as well as precious metals, gemstones, and similar items, to suspend part of its operations related to door-to-door sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for six months from August 28, 2023, to February 27, 2024, based on Article 58-13, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Virth Co., Ltd., a mail-order seller of beauty serums and similar products, to suspend part of its mail-order operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from June 27, 2025, to December 26, 2025, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Miyake Co., Ltd., a telemarketing company selling health foods, to suspend part of its telemarketing operations (solicitation, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for three months from June 26 to September 25, Reiwa 7 (2025), based on Article 23, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

The Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Itoken Co., Ltd., a door-to-door sales company, to suspend part of its door-to-door sales activities (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for three months from March 26 to June 25, Reiwa 7, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

The Consumer Affairs Agency instructed Fox to establish a compliance system and implement other measures to prevent recurrence, based on Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Okinawa General Bureau ordered Kinjo Tamotsu, a door-to-door sales operator providing painting and related services (address unknown), to suspend part of its door-to-door sales activities (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for 15 months from March 13, 2025, to June 12, 2026, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered SEED Co., Ltd., a multi-level marketing company selling cosmetics and health foods, to suspend certain aspects of its multi-level marketing transactions, including solicitation, application acceptance, and contract conclusion, for 18 months from March 4, 2025, to September 3, 2026, based on Article 39, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Myself Corporation, a telephone sales company providing video content and support services related to entrepreneurship, merchandise sales, and real estate investment know-how, to suspend part of its telephone solicitation sales operations (solicitation, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for six months from February 7 to August 6, Reiwa 7 (2025), based on Article 23, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry instructed Adness Corporation (head office: Shinjuku, Tokyo), a telephone solicitation sales operator, on December 24, 2025, to establish a compliance system and implement other measures to prevent recurrence, based on Article 22, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Eco Plus Co., Ltd., a door-to-door purchasing business, to suspend part of its operations related to door-to-door sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for six months from December 24, 2024, to June 23, 2025, based on Article 58-13-1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions on December 23, 2024.

On December 20, 2024, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a six-month order was issued to suspend part of the business related to mail-order sales (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) from December 21, 2024, to June 20, 2025.

On October 31, 2024, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a three-month suspension of certain activities related to mail-order sales (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) was ordered from November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025.

On October 16, 2024, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a nine-month order was issued to suspend part of the business related to mail-order sales (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) from October 17, 2024, to July 16, 2025.

From October 4, 2024, to January 3, 2025, a three-month period, a prohibition was imposed on SUNSIRI against starting new business activities within the scope of the business suspension order.

On September 4, 2024, based on Article 23, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a three-month suspension of certain activities related to telephone solicitation sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) was ordered from September 5, 2024, to December 4, 2024.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) issued an order to Blue Conscious Group Co., Ltd., a door-to-door sales company providing paid sales and installation services for products such as storage batteries, solar panels, and EcoCute, to suspend part of its door-to-door sales activities (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) from August 7 to November 6, 2024, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

Ordered to cease part of the business related to door-to-door sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion).

On April 18, 2024, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a three-month suspension of certain operations related to mail-order sales (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) was ordered from April 19, 2024, to July 18, 2024.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Orlinkus Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a mail-order seller of supplements and health foods, to suspend part of its mail-order operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for three months from April 10, 2024, to July 9, 2024.

On March 21, 2024, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a six-month order was issued to suspend part of the business related to door-to-door sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) from March 22, 2024, to September 21, 2024.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Pureas Co., Ltd., a mail-order seller of supplements, to suspend part of its operations related to mail-order sales (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for three months from March 17 to June 16, Reiwa 8 (2026), based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Sun Co., Ltd., a mail-order business selling health foods, to suspend part of its mail-order operations (advertising, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for three months from March 15 to June 14, Reiwa 6, based on Article 15, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

Instructed Clear Co., Ltd., a specified continuous service provider, to establish a compliance system and implement other recurrence prevention measures.

Pursuant to the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, on September 28, 2023, it was ordered that certain activities related to telephone solicitation sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) be suspended for 21 months from September 29, 2023, to June 28, 2025.

The Shikoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered Akane Home Assist Co., Ltd. to suspend certain activities related to door-to-door sales, including solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion, for three months from September 28 to December 27, 2023, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

Ordered NKG Corporation to suspend part of its door-to-door sales operations (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) for 15 months from September 22, 2023, to December 21, 2024, based on the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered the General Incorporated Association OLC, which conducts joint activities related to coaching seminars and other services as a door-to-door sales business operator, to suspend part of its door-to-door sales operations (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion) from August 10 to November 9, 2023, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Liam Co., Ltd. (Liam), also known as Kamikura Daichi, a chain sales and telemarketing company, to suspend part of its multi-level marketing and telemarketing activities related to the provision of services involving the automated trading tool 'EA development for MT5' for FX (foreign exchange margin trading). The suspension applies from July 13, 2023, to October 12, 2024, a period of 15 months, based on Article 39, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

The Consumer Affairs Agency instructed LIT to implement recurrence prevention measures and establish a compliance system based on the provisions of Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

Under Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the Specified Commercial Transactions Act, instructions were given to establish a compliance system, among other measures.

The Consumer Affairs Agency ordered Nippon Gas Co., Ltd. to suspend part of its door-to-door sales activities (solicitation, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for three months from May 25 to August 24, 2023, based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, related to the provision of electricity and gas supply services.

Based on Article 8, Paragraph 1 of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, a three-month order was issued from May 18, 2023, to August 17, 2023, to suspend part of the business related to door-to-door sales (solicitation, acceptance of applications, and contract conclusion).

Acts violating the obligation to specify name and other information (failure to clearly indicate solicitation purpose) and nuisance solicitation.

The Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry issued instructions to Gakkou Plus Corporation (headquarters: Nagoya City), a door-to-door sales company providing education services for working adults, on July 14, 2020, based on Article 7, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions. The instructions included: (1) prior to soliciting door-to-door sales, inform the prospective customer that the solicitation is for concluding a paid service provision contract (hereinafter 'service provision contract'); and, when concluding a service provision contract with a specified customer as defined in Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 2 of the Act, promptly (or immediately if applicable under the proviso of Article 4 of the Act) provide the recipient with a written document clarifying the contents of the contract. (2) Investigate, analyze, and verify the causes of the violation, and report the results of the verification. (3) Implement measures to prevent recurrence of the violation, establish an internal compliance system, and report on these measures and the compliance system.

The Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry ordered EMI Corporation (Shinjuku, Tokyo), a telephone sales company providing electricity retail services, to suspend part of its telephone solicitation activities (solicitation, application acceptance, and contract conclusion) for nine months from April 28, 2020, to January 27, 2021, based on Article 23, Paragraph 1 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that on July 17, a signing exchange of the joint committee's decision document regarding mutual recognition of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for pharmaceuticals was conducted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based on the Japan-European Community Mutual Recognition Agreement.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in cooperation with the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Food Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will participate in the 'Summer Vacation 2017 Homework and Free Research Great Project!' held in Tokyo and Sendai in late July. The booth will target elementary school students and their guardians, with the theme 'Let's think about what we can do! Learning about food and living safety as a parent and child,' and will feature mini-seminars, poster displays, and workshops related to food safety and safety in daily life.

The Consumer Affairs Agency, jointly with the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Food Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will participate in the 'Summer Vacation 2017 Homework and Free Research Big Project!' held in Tokyo and Sendai in late July. The booth will target elementary school students and their guardians, with the theme 'Let's Think About What We Can Do! Learning Together as Parents and Children about Food and Living Safety.' It will feature mini-seminars, poster displays, and workshops related to food safety and safety in daily life.

The Cabinet Office Food Safety Committee, in cooperation with the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will participate in the 'Summer Vacation 2017 Homework and Free Research Campaign!' held in Tokyo and Sendai in late July. The booth will target elementary school students and their guardians, with the theme 'Let's Think About What We Can Do! Learning About Food and Living Safety as a Family.' Activities will include mini-seminars on food safety and safety in daily life, poster displays, and workshops.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in cooperation with the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Food Safety Commission of the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will participate in the 'Summer Vacation 2017 Homework and Free Research Project!' held in Tokyo and Sendai in late July. The booth will target elementary school students and their guardians, with the theme 'Let's Think About What We Can Do! Learning Together as Parents and Children about Food and Living Safety.' It will feature mini-seminars, poster displays, and workshops related to food safety and safety in daily life.