Cooling-Off — Complete Guide (Japan)

Setting

You signed a ¥598,000 FX course. You paid ¥300,000 for a "side hustle". You bought an EA after a phone pitch. Do not panic — Japan's law provides rescission rights. But the clock is short.

This article explains the conditions, procedures, and templates.

I. When Cooling-Off Applies

When statutory cooling-off does not apply

• Online (mail-order): no statutory cooling-off; relies on the seller's posted return terms
• Bought after walking into a store yourself: not door-to-door
• Goods under ¥3,000

But — "no cooling-off" does not mean "no recourse"

1. Rescission under the Consumer Contract Act

Window: one year from when you could ratify, five years from contract.

2. Cooling-off period does not start if the statutory document is missing or false

If the seller never delivered the required statutory document, or lied about cooling-off, the clock has not begun. Even months later, you may still cool off.

3. Civil Code fraud rescission

A declaration of intent obtained by fraud is rescindable (within five years of awareness, or twenty years of the act).

II. Step-By-Step (SCTA Cooling-Off)

Step 1 — Check the contract

• Is there a cooling-off notice?
• What is the document-receipt date?
• Seller's address, name, contact

Step 2 — Draft the notice (written; oral/phone/email generally invalid)

                                    NOTICE

I hereby rescind the following contract.

Date: 2026-05-10
Product: FX Mastery Online Course
Amount: ¥598,000
Seller: ABC Corporation
Representative: John Smith

Please refund ¥598,000 and cancel the credit agreement.

                                    2026-05-13
                                    Address: 1-2-3 XYZ, Tokyo
                                    Name: Yamada Taro   [seal]

Step 3 — Send by Certified Mail (内容証明郵便)

Use Japan Post's "naiyō shōmei" (content-certified) with delivery confirmation. Three identical copies (seller / yours / post office). Cost: ~¥1,200–1,500. Also available 24/7 via the e-naiyō shōmei online service.

Step 4 — Cancel the credit agreement

If purchased via installment credit, send the same certified notice to the credit company. They are obligated to suspend collection (Installment Sales Act Art. 30-4).

Step 5 — Refund / return

• Seller must refund promptly
• Goods returned at seller's cost — you do not pay shipping
• Refunds are due even if you opened or used the goods

III. Online Purchases

• No statutory cooling-off
• Sellers must clearly disclose return policy (SCTA Art. 15-2)
• If no policy is shown, return within 8 days at buyer's shipping cost
• If policy is shown, follow it

But Consumer Contract Act rescission still applies if the seller made "definitely wins" claims or misrepresented material facts — within one year. Save screenshots of the landing page now; they vanish later.

IV. Credit Card Chargeback

If paid by card, file a chargeback with the issuer. Argue: "fraudulent sales", "no value delivered", "misrepresentation".

• International scheme rules (Visa/Mastercard/JCB/AmEx) apply
• Window: ~120 days from transaction (varies)
• Evidence: landing page screenshots, contract, post-sale correspondence, proof that the product has no value

This works without the seller's consent — a powerful tool.

For installment credit (not single-payment), the buyer can also assert defenses against the credit company (Installment Sales Act Art. 30-4).

V. If the Seller Says "You Can't Cool Off"

All of these claims by the seller are wrong (and often crimes):

Record calls and meetings — material for consumer center / police.

VI. Practical Checklist — Within 3 Days of Discovery

1. Preserve all evidence (contract, LP, email, LINE logs)
2. Verify the seller's SCTA disclosures (name, address, phone)
3. Verify on FSA's investment-advisor registry
4. Call Consumer Hotline 188 (free)
5. Prepare the certified mail notice
6. Contact credit issuer (suspend / chargeback)
7. Police / lawyer if needed

VII. Where to Ask (Free)

For losses over ~¥1M, engage a consumer-law specialist. Hōterasu provides free consultations subject to income criteria.

→ See Legal Recourse After Being Defrauded

Summary

"It's too late" usually isn't. Beyond cooling-off there is Consumer Contract Act rescission, Civil Code fraud rescission, and chargeback. Before giving up, call 188.

Knowledge protects. A consumer who knows the law is the worst kind of mark for a scammer.