Amazon Japan METI A Domestic Administrator Service

If you operate on Amazon Japan, Rakuten, or your own independent website as a mainland Chinese business entity—whether you use FBA or MFN (Merchant FULfilled Network)—you need to read this article carefully starting from December 25, 2025.

Japan’s regulatory framework has been upgraded: authorities no longer only check whether you have compliance reports; they now ask:

Who is responsible in Japan?

Who can be located?

Who can be held accountable?

Many sellers assume, “I am only a seller, not a manufacturer, so I am not a responsible party.” However, Japanese authorities no longer share this view.

Who is the Primary Responsible Party

Japan has a clear definition for cross-border sellers:

Any overseas seller that directly sells products to Japanese consumers (including FBA and MFN) is classified as a Specified Importer (特定輸入事業者)—even if you do not participate in product design or manufacturing. The filing "entity" is the store operator itself.

In short: If you are selling the products, liability falls on you.

Japanese Legal Requirements & Amazon Platform Implementation

Japan’s regulation is based on the national legal system, not Amazon backend requirements.

The core framework consists of the Four Product Safety Acts:

①　Consumer Products Safety Act (PSC)

②　Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act (PSE)

③　Gas Business Act (PSTG)

④　Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act (PSLPG)

This means: If your product falls within the regulatory scope, in the event of an accident, complaint, or random inspection, Japanese regulatory authorities will hold the responsible entity accountable—not the platform.

Mandatory Appointment of a Japanese Domestic Administrator

Effective December 25, 2025, Japan has formally strengthened the Specified Importer + Japanese Domestic Administrator system.

Specifically, every Specified Importer must appoint a Japanese Domestic Administrator to:

①　Liaise with METI

②　Receive regulatory notices

③　Receive accident notifications

④　Receive random inspection requests and cooperate with on-site inspections

Simply put: You must have a person in Japan who is locatable by the government and can assume liability.

meti filing Is Not "Obtaining a Certificate"

A common industry misconception must be corrected:

METI filing does not involve issuing a physical certificate upon completion. Its essence is to register three key items in the Japanese government system:

1. Identity of the seller (Specified Importer)

2. Identity of the Japanese Domestic Administrator

3. Products sold (category/model/document correspondence)

The priority is never form-filling, but a closed loop of liability relationships and a closed loop of compliance documents.

What Exactly Does a Japanese Domestic Administrator Do?

A Domestic Administrator is neither a testing laboratory nor a certification body. Its scope of duties is clearly defined:

The Domestic Administrator SHALL:

①　Maintain testing and compliance documents

②　Fulfill reporting obligations to METI

③　Cooperate with accident investigations and on-site inspections

The Domestic Administrator SHALL NOT:

①　Conduct product testing

②　Issue any certificates

This explains why many ultra-low-cost services fail: they only perform "system data entry" without assuming liability or completing the document closed loop.

Japanese Domestic Administrator Application Process

Our METI filing service for clients follows three mandatory steps:

Step 1: Verify Seller Eligibility as a Specified Importer

Conclusion: Nearly all cross-border sellers qualify.

Step 2: Appoint a Japanese Domestic Administrator (Legal Documentation RequiRED)

Note: Signed documents are legal authorization instruments, not testing reports.

Step 3: Complete METI Filing Registration

Officially submit details of the seller, Domestic Administrator, and products to METI.

Documents Required from the Seller

We will provide a Japanese METI Filing Service Application Form (Word) for you to complete.

Standard required documents:

①　Business license

②　Legal representative information (ID number/phone/email)

③　Contact person information (same as legal representative if applicable)

④　Manufacturer information

⑤　Product information (product name/model/specifications)

⑥　Compliance reports (PSE/PSC, etc.)

⑦　Platform links (store/product listing links)

Cost of Japanese Domestic Administrator Service

Many clients ask after comparing quotes: “Other providers offer lower prices—why is yours different?”

JJR LAB’s compliance explanation is straightforward:

METI filing is not just system form-filling; it concerns who assumes legal liability in Japan.

Low prices typically mean no liability assumption, which may even invalidate the filing, with all losses borne by the seller.

What you should purchase is not a “form-filling service,” but a sustainable, valid closed liability chain.

Confirm If You Need This Service

If you currently operate on Amazon Japan—especially for charged products, home appliances, and consumer electronics—we recommend clarifying your compliance chain immediately.

You may leave a comment or send an email with the keywords:

METI Filing, Amazon Japan, Japanese Domestic Administrator

JJR will provide you with a clear filing pathway and document checklist.