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
- 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.
Pricing
Free
$0
- a weekly digest every Monday morning (Japan time)
- A summary page for every notice
Standard
$19 / month
or $190 / year (2 months free)
- Every relevant notice by email as soon as we find it, plus reminders 7 days and 1 day before deadlines
- Cancel anytime (it stops at the next renewal)
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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.
- How do I cancel?
- Use "Manage subscription" at the bottom of any email. You can keep using the plan until the end of the paid period.
- How do I stop the emails?
- Every email has an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom.