+353-1-416-8900REST OF WORLD
+44-20-3973-8888REST OF WORLD
1-917-300-0470EAST COAST U.S
1-800-526-8630U.S. (TOLL FREE)

Japan Game Regulations Report

  • Report

  • 37 Pages
  • March 2023
  • Region: Japan
  • Niko Partners, Inc.
  • ID: 5748572

What you’ll learn from this report:

Japan is a  video game powerhouse in Asia. It is evident that the market plays a significant role in the games industry, with Japan being the 3rd largest video game market in the world by revenue. It is imperative for companies to understand how the government and regulators in the market view and regulate video games and esports so they can ensure compliance and build success in the market.

This Japan game regulations report provides an in-depth analysis of the current video game and esports regulatory landscapes in the market, including both formal and informal regulations. The report offers insights from high-level interviewees, providing a comprehensive understanding of the gaming industry’s legal aspects, including but not limited to in-game monetization, game publishing, and consumer protection measures.

Additionally, the report details recent developments of regulatory measures related to gaming companies and gamers such as changes within game rating authorities, risks around the gacha monetization model, and how Apple and Google may be impacted by anti-monopoly laws.

You need to read this report if you are a stakeholder who navigates the distinctive and complex laws related to the gaming industry in Japan and assists companies with market entry, business operations, game publishing, legal reviews, and more.

List of Regulations

  • Payment Services Act
  • Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations
  • Amusement Business Act
  • Unfair Competition Prevention Act
  • JOGA, CERO, and CESA guidelines

List of Regulatory Bodies

  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
  • Financial Services Agency (FSA)
  • Japan Online Games Association (JOGA)
  • Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA)
  • Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO)
  • Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)
  • Japan eSports Union (JeSU)

Table of Contents

1. What You Need to Know About Games Regulations in Japan 

  • Overview of Japan’s Regulatory Landscape for Video Games 
  • Game Publishing in Japan 
  • Game Rating in Japan 
  • Game Monetization in Japan 
  • Take Rates in Japan 
  • Consumer-related Gaming Regulation in Japan 
  • Esports Regulation in Japan 
  • Game Livestream Regulations in Japan 
  • Regulation on Future Game Technology in Japan 
  • Conclusion 

2. Appendix: Regulatory Authorities in Japan’s Video Game Industry 

Companies Mentioned

  • Apple
  • Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (CERO)
  • Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA)
  • Financial Services Agency (FSA)
  • Google
  • Japan eSports Union (JeSU)
  • Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)
  • Japan Online Games Association (JOGA)
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)