Japan Regulation Navigator
An English-language information resource for overseas operators who source from Japanese manufacturers, export Japanese products, or invest in Japanese manufacturing. Pages summarize publicly available primary sources and link out to the original Japanese and destination-market authority pages for verification.
This site provides information only. It does not provide legal, customs, tax, or regulatory advice. The site operator is not licensed to provide such services.
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Start from your use case
Three common situations bring overseas operators to the Japanese market. Pick the one that matches yours.
Sourcing & Exporting from Japan
Buyers contracting with Japanese OEM manufacturers and shipping finished goods to overseas markets under their own brand.
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Buying Japanese Products at Wholesale
Distributors purchasing existing Japanese-brand products and re-selling them in overseas markets.
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Foreign Investment in Japanese Manufacturing
Operators setting up a Japanese subsidiary, joint venture, or acquiring a Japanese manufacturer.
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Browse all topics
Each topic is a category of articles covering Japanese-side regulations, destination-market import requirements, or cross-border considerations.
Sourcing from Japan
Licensing, OEM contracts, and supplier diligence for buyers sourcing finished goods from Japanese manufacturers.
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Exporting from Japan
Export procedures, customs documentation, and origin certificates required to ship goods out of Japan.
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Japanese Certificates
Certificate of Free Sale, Certificate of Manufacture, and other documents Japanese authorities issue for exporters.
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Destination Markets
Country-by-country import requirements for products manufactured in Japan.
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Intellectual Property
Trademark, design, and patent considerations when bringing Japanese products into other markets.
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Foreign Investment
Setting up a Japanese subsidiary, JV, or M&A targeting Japanese manufacturers.
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How this site is written
- Primary sources first. Each article cites Japanese-government, destination-market authority, or international-body pages by URL so readers can verify the underlying source.
- No advice, no guarantees. Articles use language like "typically" and "generally" rather than "must" because regulator practice varies by product, use, and timing.
- No endorsements. Where third-party companies, products, or services are named, the reference is factual. The site does not recommend specific providers.
- Reviewed at least every six months. Each article carries a "Last updated" and "Next scheduled review" date so readers can judge currency.