Launching a Game in Japan: Legal and Practical Checklist for Overseas Publishers (Part 1 – Pre-Launch Preparation)
July 22, 2025
Key Words: Japan Game Market, Mobile Game Publishing, Japanese Legal Entity, Kabushiki Kaisha (KK), Godo Kaisha (GK), Payment Services Act (PSA), Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI), In-Game Currency Compliance, Financial Services Agency (FSA Japan), Game Publishing Support Agreement (GPSA), Japanese Consumer Law, Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, CERO Rating, Platform Compliance Japan, Japanese Tax Filings, Japanese Corporate Registration, Game Monetization Regulation, Gacha Regulation Japan, Legal Compliance Strategy, Game Localization Japan, Regulatory Checklist for Game Launch.
I. Introduction: Why Japan Deserves Special Attention from Game Publishers[1]
Japan is widely recognized as one of the most advanced and commercially significant digital entertainment markets in the world. According to statistics published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the video game market has exceeded JPY 2 trillion, with online and mobile game platforms accounting for over 80% of total sales volume.[2] This mobile-first trend has been further accelerated by the rise of app-based monetization models, user acquisition strategies via social media, and increasingly favorable network environments such as 5G.[3]
However, tapping into this opportunity requires more than simply translating game content. Japan is also one of the most highly regulated jurisdictions for digital entertainment, where multiple governmental agencies and industry bodies collectively shape the legal landscape. These include the Financial Services Agency (regulating prepaid payment instruments), the Consumer Affairs Agency (overseeing advertising and promotional practices), and industry-specific self-regulators such as the Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO). As a result, legal obligations in Japan are often fragmented across overlapping statutory regimes, with some requirements arising not from legislation but from industry consensus and administrative guidance.
In this first installment of our “Launching a Game in Japan” series, we focus on the pre-launch phase, outlining key legal and operational decisions that foreign publishers must consider before releasing their game to Japanese users.
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[1] This communication is provided as a service to our clients and friends and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship or constitute an advertisement, a solicitation, or professional advice as to any particular situation.
[2] Statistics published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on October 6, 2023, available at: https://www.meti.go.jp/statistics/toppage/report/minikaisetsu/hitokoto_kako/20231006hitokoto.html
[3] Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Japan), “Current Situation and Challenges Surrounding the Broadcasting and Streaming Content Industry”, October 2023, p. 8, available at:
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000996691.pdf