PMD Act / Health Products
Cosmetics, medical devices, sanitary goods, quasi-drugs and health-related products under Japanese regulations.
Best-Before Date and Use-By Date
Explains the difference between best-before dates and use-by dates under Japanese food labeling practice, with practical points for imported foods, overseas date formats, storage conditions, temperature control and online sales.
Foods for Specified Health Uses
Explains Japan’s Foods for Specified Health Uses system, including product-by-product government review, permitted health-use claims, differences from Foods with Function Claims, imported food issues and advertising control.
Foods with Function Claims
Explains Japan’s Foods with Function Claims system, including pre-sale notification, scientific evidence, imported food issues, supplement-type products, advertising control, 2024 system revisions and post-market health information management.
Nutrition Labeling
Explains nutrition labeling requirements for foods sold in Japan, including mandatory nutrients, sodium-to-salt equivalent conversion, imported food labels, nutrition claims and consistency between labels, online sales pages, advertisements and social media posts.
Misleading Quality Representation
Explains misleading quality representation under Japan’s advertising and fair labeling rules, especially for imported foods, health foods, origin claims, quality claims, comparative advertising and overseas marketing materials used in Japan.
Other Laws and Regulations to Check When Importing into Japan
Explains non-customs laws and related regulations that may need to be checked when importing goods into Japan, including food sanitation, quarantine, PMD Act, product safety, intellectual property, dangerous goods, chemicals and rules of origin.
Quasi-Drugs under the PMD Act
Quasi-drugs are products regulated under Japan’s PMD Act that have milder effects than pharmaceuticals but are used for certain approved purposes, often seen in medicated cosmetics, oral care, hair care and hygiene products.
Medicinal Claims under the PMD Act
Medicinal claims are expressions that suggest treatment, prevention, improvement of disease or effects on the structure or function of the body, and may create PMD Act risks for foods, supplements, cosmetics and general goods sold in Japan.
Medical Device Marketing Authorization Holder Licence
A Medical Device Marketing Authorization Holder Licence is the PMD Act licence required for the Japan-side party responsible for placing medical devices on the Japanese market.