Hikaru Takahashi Office, Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist Product Lineup

Placing cosmetics on the market under your own name requires a cosmetics marketing authorization holder license. You appoint a general marketing compliance officer, a quality assurance manager and a safety management manager, prepare GQP and GVP procedures, apply, and undergo an on-site inspection by the prefecture. If requirements are met, one person may hold all three roles. The license is valid for five years, with an on-site inspection at each renewal. In Osaka Prefecture, a new license carries an application fee of 58,800 yen in addition to our fee. Our administrative scrivener, who has worked in cosmetics R&D, checks the requirements for the general marketing compliance officer, prepares GQP and GVP procedures and the application, and attends the on-site inspection. We can also handle product notifications and labeling and advertising reviews needed before sale.

• Legal
• Quality Display
• Product Development

Cosmetics advertising and packaging must be checked both against the permitted efficacy range under the PMD Act (the 56 cosmetic efficacy claims) and against misleading representations about quality or price under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Social media posts and influencer content may also be treated as advertising, and violations can lead to cease-and-desist orders or surcharges. Judgments are based on the overall impression, including photos and layout, not single words. Having alternative wording, not just deleting non-compliant claims, helps keep your message persuasive. Our administrative scrivener, certified under YMAA (individual certification for compliant advertising under the PMD Act and Medical Care Act), reviews landing pages, social media, packaging, catalogs and more, and delivers a report with the legal basis for each issue and alternative wording.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Quality Display

Under the CSCL small-quantity scheme, a new chemical substance with a planned manufacture or import volume of up to 1 tonne per fiscal year can be confirmed without submitting test data. The confirmation is valid for one fiscal year only, so you must apply again every year to continue. If you miss the application window, you cannot manufacture or import under this scheme for that year. In addition, the nationwide total of environmental release volumes for the same substance is capped at 1 tonne, so applications by other companies may reduce your confirmed quantity or lead to non-confirmation. We manage your application schedule against each year's acceptance periods, prepare the application, check substance names, structural formulas and reception codes, and file electronically via e-Gov. We also advise on switching to GBizID, and track deadlines together with the small-quantity confirmation under the Industrial Safety and Health Act (up to 100 kg a year per workplace).

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Product Development

The new business and manufacturing subsidy supports capital investment for developing innovative products and services, entering new markets and strengthening export capability. There are three application categories (innovative new products and services, new business entry, and global), and eligible expenses differ by category. To be selected, you must meet the basic requirements and submit a business plan addressing the evaluation criteria. Because the subsidy is paid afterwards, the order of grant application, ordering, payment and performance report must be followed after selection, and expenses ordered before the grant decision are not eligible. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher and Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning (Grade 1), supports your business plan from both the technical and financial sides, and handles the grant application, performance report and commercialization reports after selection.

• Legal
• Management consultant/Small business consultant
• Other services

Facilities that manufacture cosmetics, fill containers, label and package products, or store them before shipment need a cosmetics manufacturing license (registration if storage only). There are three categories: general, packaging and labeling, and storage only, each covering a different scope of work. Mistakes are common: even if you intend only to store products, attaching Japanese labels to imported products counts as labeling, so a storage-only registration is not enough and a packaging and labeling license is required. Each facility needs a responsible technical manager and must meet structural and equipment standards. Our administrative scrivener, who has worked in cosmetics R&D, determines the category from the work done at the facility, checks the requirements for the responsible technical manager, and prepares the facility documents and application, through to the on-site inspection.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Manufacturing Facility

A cosmetics marketing authorization holder license requires GQP (quality management) procedures. GVP (post-marketing safety management) procedures are also recommended. They cover many items, including shipment records, handling quality defects, recalls and the responsible-person structure. Using a template as is often leaves procedures out of step with actual operations, leading to findings at inspections and renewals. Procedures must also be revised when your structure changes after licensing. Our administrative scrivener, who has worked in cosmetics R&D, learns how your products are made and shipped, and prepares GQP and GVP procedures and record forms that match your operations. We also help with revisions after licensing and preparation for on-site inspections.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Hygiene Management

When you sell OEM-made cosmetics under your own brand, the licenses you need depend on who becomes the marketing authorization holder. There are three patterns: the OEM manufacturer also acts as the marketing authorization holder, you obtain the marketing license yourself, or you use an overseas OEM. Procedures and responsibilities differ for each. With domestic OEMs, the manufacturer often also acts as the marketing authorization holder. With overseas OEMs, a Japanese party needs the marketing license. Package labeling (the marketing authorization holder statement) and advertising responsibility are also decided by this choice. We learn about your business plan and the transaction structure with the OEM manufacturer, clarify which pattern fits, and help with the required licenses and notifications, through to checking package labeling.

• Legal
• Quality Display
• Product Development

Importing overseas cosmetics for sale in Japan requires a cosmetics marketing authorization holder license and a manufacturing license for labeling and storage. You also file a notification on the overseas manufacturing site (foreign notification) and a marketing notification for each product. Ingredients must be checked against Japan's Standards for Cosmetics for prohibited and restricted ingredients, and Japanese statutory labels must be prepared. Advertising claims used overseas often cannot be used in Japan. Our administrative scrivener, who has worked in cosmetics R&D, checks the ingredient lists against Japanese standards and handles the licenses, foreign notification, product notifications, and Japanese full ingredient labeling and labels.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Quality Display

When manufacturing or importing cosmetics for export, an export notification (Form 114) may be required. Products notified for export are exempt from the statutory container labeling under Article 61, but some provisions still apply. When the importing country requests a certificate of free sale, the usual route is a certificate issued by the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association. There are five forms, chosen according to what the importing country requires. A certificate from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare may also be needed. We learn about the destination and your products, determine whether an export notification is needed, prepare it, and select the certificate form matching the importing country's request and apply for issuance.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Quality Display

A cosmetics marketing authorization holder files a marketing notification (Form 39) for each product before placing it on the market. When notified details change, a change notification (Form 40) is required within 30 days. The practice differs depending on whether products are made by OEM, imported or made in-house. Change notifications are also required when the general marketing compliance officer or other responsible persons change or when you move. Missed notifications lead to findings at the renewal inspection. We learn about your launch schedule and organizational changes, prepare and file marketing notifications, change notifications and responsible-person change notifications, and keep a list of your notifications.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Quality Display

Cosmetic containers and outer boxes must list all ingredients (PMD Act Article 61). Rules include using labeling names, listing in descending order of content, handling fragrances and colorants, carry-over ingredients and exemptions for small containers. Even for OEM-made products, the marketing authorization holder is responsible for labeling. For imported products, foreign ingredient names must be converted into Japanese labeling names. Incorrect labeling can lead to recalls or administrative guidance. Our administrative scrivener, who has worked in cosmetics R&D, prepares draft full ingredient labeling that follows the rules from your formula or ingredient list. We also review labeling drafts received from OEM manufacturers.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Quality Display

Cosmetics marketing and manufacturing licenses must be renewed every five years, and the prefecture conducts an on-site inspection at renewal. Inspectors check the current and previous versions of GQP and GVP procedures, license and notification documents, the organization and five years of records. Some businesses confuse obligations that apply to cosmetics with those that do not and spend time on unnecessary preparation. If missed change notifications are found, they must be dealt with before renewal. We check your procedures and records, look for missed change notifications, prepare the renewal application, and help prepare for and attend the on-site inspection.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Hygiene Management

Under Japan's Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL), a new chemical substance must be notified before it is manufactured or imported. Manufacturing or importing without notification is punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 500,000 yen (Article 58, item 1). A standard notification requires test results on degradability, bioaccumulation and toxicity, and the authorities decide within three months of acceptance. Because testing is costly and slow, it is important to first check whether a special procedure applies: small-quantity, low-volume, polymer of low concern (PLC), or intermediate. Our office is run by a former chemical-company researcher. We check whether your substance is new from its structure and use, compare the special procedures, prepare the notification from your test results, and draft replies to questions from the three ministries. We also check whether a notification under the Industrial Safety and Health Act is needed.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Product Development

The CSCL low-volume scheme allows a new chemical substance with a planned manufacture or import volume of up to 10 tonnes per fiscal year to be manufactured or imported after confirmation. It is the option to consider when the small-quantity limit (1 tonne) is not enough but a standard notification is not warranted. The substance must first be judged as not readily degradable and not highly bioaccumulative. Confirmation is granted per fiscal year, so you must apply in advance every year to continue (Article 5(4)). The nationwide total of environmental release volumes for the same substance is also capped at 10 tonnes. We compare this scheme with small-quantity, standard notification and PLC, prepare the first-year documents based on your degradation and bioaccumulation test results, and manage and file the annual quantity applications electronically.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Product Development

The CSCL pre-confirmation for intermediates allows a new chemical substance handled as an intermediate, in a closed system or as an export-only product to be manufactured or imported without a standard notification, once confirmed in advance. There is no volume cap and the confirmation is a one-time procedure. The substance name is not published in the Official Gazette. The review focuses on the process up to complete conversion of the intermediate and on measures to prevent environmental release. Confirmation typically takes about 2.5 to 3 months from application, longer if comments in the draft review take time to resolve. After confirmation, actual volumes for the previous fiscal year must be reported every year, and changes in use or volume require a change application. Our former chemical-company researcher reads your manufacturing process, prepares the application and draft, responds to review comments, and handles the annual reports after confirmation.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Product Development

The CSCL pre-confirmation for polymers of low concern (PLC) lets you have a new polymer confirmed in advance as meeting the low-concern criteria, so that no standard notification is required. Because it confirms the nature of the substance, once confirmed you do not need to apply every year. There is no volume cap and the substance name is not published. Even polymers currently handled under the annual small-quantity scheme can save considerable effort if they meet the criteria. Applications are accepted at any time, and because the review is a document review without the Chemical Substances Council, confirmation is said to be faster than a standard notification. A pre-check of the draft application before formal submission is recommended. Our former chemical-company researcher checks the criteria against your test data such as molecular weight distribution and stability, prepares the application, responds to pre-check comments, and handles submission.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Product Development

When manufacturing or importing a new chemical substance, a notification under the Industrial Safety and Health Act (ISHA) is required in addition to the CSCL. Hazards are investigated by tests such as mutagenicity tests, and the results are notified before manufacture or import. Since 1 July 2026, electronic filing via e-Gov has been the rule. If the volume is up to 100 kg a year per workplace, no notification is needed once a small-quantity confirmation is obtained. The confirmation is valid for two years, and the application must be made at least 30 days before the first manufacture or import based on it. Because the volume rules and deadlines differ from the CSCL small-quantity scheme (per fiscal year), companies sometimes complete the CSCL procedure and forget the ISHA one. We check whether a notification is required or an exemption applies, prepare notifications and confirmation applications, file them electronically, and track deadlines alongside your CSCL procedures.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Hygiene Management

The substances for which SDS provision and labelling are mandatory under the Industrial Safety and Health Act expanded to about 2,900 in April 2026. Products that were previously out of scope may now be covered. An SDS has no expiry date, but for substances subject to the obligation, the "effects on the human body" must be checked at least every five years and revised within one year if needed. Under the 2025 amendment, re-notification after changing an SDS becomes mandatory and penalties for failing to notify are introduced (effective on a date set by Cabinet Order within five years of promulgation). JIS Z 7252/7253, the basis for SDS preparation, was also revised in 2025 (the 2019 edition may be followed until 24 December 2030). Our office, run by a former chemical-company researcher who prepared SDSs in-house, checks ingredients, drafts SDSs and labels in line with JIS, reviews existing SDSs, prepares Japanese SDSs from overseas SDSs, and manages review timing. We can also prepare lists of target substances and record forms used for chemical manager appointment and risk assessment.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Quality Display

Under Japan's PRTR Law (Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Management Improvement), covered businesses must report the previous fiscal year's releases and transfers of Class I Designated Chemical Substances by 30 June every year. Whether you are covered depends on your industry, number of regular employees and quantities handled; the quantity threshold is generally 1 tonne a year per substance (0.5 tonnes for Specified Class I substances). If the quantity falls below the threshold in a year, no report is needed, but the obligation returns when it rises again, so an annual check is essential. If you do not want a substance name disclosed, a special rule allows you to request notification under a category name as a trade secret. Our former chemical-company researcher identifies target substances and contents from your SDSs, helps calculate releases and transfers with documented grounds, prepares the report, and sets up a calculation sheet for the next year.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Other environmental measures and recycling

Manufacturing hazardous materials at or above the designated quantity, or handling them in processes such as coating, cleaning or mixing, requires an installation permit for a manufacturing facility or general handling facility under the Fire Service Act (Articles 10 and 11). Construction may start only after the permit, and the facility may not be used until it passes the completion inspection. Using it before the inspection can lead to revocation of the permit or an order to suspend use. The application must include drawings of location, structure and equipment and documents such as fire-extinguishing equipment designs. There is no fixed deadline before construction, but prior consultation with the fire department and the review take time, so preparation should be planned back from the construction schedule. Our administrative scrivener, a Class A Hazardous Materials Engineer and former chemical-company researcher, determines the facility type from the materials and quantities, handles prior consultation with the fire department, prepares the application based on your designer's drawings, and applies for the completion inspection.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Storing hazardous materials such as solvents, paints and fuels at or above the designated quantity requires an installation permit under the Fire Service Act for a storage facility such as an indoor storage, outdoor storage, indoor tank, outdoor tank or underground tank (Articles 10 and 11). The building structure and equipment standards depend on the type of storage facility. Construction may start only after the permit, and the facility may not be used until it passes the completion inspection. The application includes drawings of location, structure and equipment, and government fees apply (in Osaka City, an indoor storage facility up to 10 times the designated quantity costs 20,000 yen for the permit and 10,000 yen for the completion inspection). Our Class A Hazardous Materials Engineer checks the multiple of the designated quantity and the storage type from the materials you store, handles prior consultation with the fire department, prepares the application and applies for the completion inspection.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Changing the location, structure or equipment of a permitted manufacturing, storage or handling facility requires a modification permit (Fire Service Act Article 11(1)). Examples include replacing equipment, rerouting piping, extending buildings and adding tanks. Work may start only after the permit, and the facility is used after the completion inspection. If only the type, quantity or multiple of the designated quantity changes, without changing location, structure or equipment, a notification at least 10 days before the change is enough (Article 11-4(1)). Which case applies makes a large difference in preparation time and cost. Our Class A Hazardous Materials Engineer determines from the planned work whether a permit or notification is needed, handles prior consultation with the fire department, prepares the modification permit application and applies for the completion inspection.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Even when the amount of hazardous materials is below the designated quantity, storing or handling one-fifth or more (but less than the full designated quantity) requires a notification under the municipal fire prevention ordinance (Fire Service Act Article 9-4). "Below the designated quantity" does not mean "no notification". When several materials are handled, their multiples are added together. Deadlines and structural standards for storage areas are set by municipal ordinances. In Osaka City, the notification must be filed with the competent fire station at least 7 days before storage or handling begins. Notifications are also required when materials or quantities change, or when storage ends. Our Class A Hazardous Materials Engineer picks out materials and quantities from your SDSs, calculates the multiple, checks whether the storage area meets the standards, and prepares and files the notification.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Designated combustibles such as synthetic resins, combustible liquids, combustible solids, wood products and cotton are a category separate from hazardous materials. Storing or handling them above the amounts set for each item in Appended Table 4 of the Cabinet Order requires a notification under the municipal fire prevention ordinance. It is often overlooked at plants and warehouses that keep large amounts of resin pellets, packaging materials or combustible liquid raw materials. The threshold is set by ordinance. In Osaka City, recycled resource fuels, combustible solids, combustible liquids and synthetic resins are covered from the Cabinet Order amount, and other items from five times that amount. The notification is filed before storage begins, and changes in items or quantities also require a notification. Our former chemical-company researcher checks which category your raw materials and supplies fall into, confirms quantities, and prepares and files the notification, together with any small-quantity hazardous materials notification.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

If hazardous materials handled under a small-quantity notification reach a combined multiple of 1.0 or more because of added materials or larger volumes, the notification alone no longer keeps you compliant. Hazardous materials at or above the designated quantity may be stored or handled only at a permitted manufacturing, storage or handling facility (Fire Service Act Article 10(1)). Continuing operations without noticing can lead to orders and penalties, not just remarks from the fire department. When you find the quantity exceeded, temporary storage or handling is possible for up to 10 days with the approval of the fire chief. During that time, prior consultation and the installation permit application proceed, and after the completion inspection a discontinuation notice for the small-quantity notification is filed. Our Class A Hazardous Materials Engineer recalculates the multiples, applies for temporary storage approval, handles prior consultation with the fire department, files the installation permit application and the discontinuation notice.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

At a permitted manufacturing, storage or handling facility, changing the type, quantity or multiple of the designated quantity of hazardous materials without changing location, structure or equipment requires a notification to the municipal authority at least 10 days before the change (Fire Service Act Article 11-4(1)). Switching raw materials, changing solvent grades and revising stored quantities are typical cases. Changing the material type changes the designated quantity, so the multiple may exceed the permitted range or different facility standards may apply. It is important to determine whether a notification is enough or a modification permit is needed. Our Class A Hazardous Materials Engineer checks the new material's type and properties from its SDS, recalculates the multiple, confirms that a notification suffices, and prepares and files it.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

High-pressure gas production and storage require either a permit or a notification depending on scale. Storing 300 cubic meters or more, below the threshold for a Class 1 storage facility, requires prior notification to the prefectural governor as a Class 2 storage facility (High Pressure Gas Safety Act Article 17-2). For Class 1 gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and argon, 3,000 cubic meters or more, and for other gases 1,000 cubic meters or more, is a Class 1 storage facility requiring a permit. For production, a daily processing capacity of 100 normal cubic meters or more (300 for Class 1 gases) requires a Class 1 producer permit; below that, a Class 2 producer notification is due 20 days before starting (Article 5). A notification does not remove the obligation to meet technical standards. We determine the category from the gas type, storage amount and processing capacity, and prepare and file the notification and attachments. Please also consult us if a permit is required.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Gas users may also need to file a notification. Seven special high-pressure gases such as monosilane, phosphine and arsine are covered regardless of quantity; compressed hydrogen and compressed natural gas from 300 cubic meters of storage capacity, liquid oxygen, liquid ammonia and LPG from 3,000 kg, and liquid chlorine from 1,000 kg. Consumption must be notified to the prefectural governor at least 20 days before it begins (High Pressure Gas Safety Act Article 24-2; Enforcement Order Article 7). In particular, switching from individual cylinders to bulk tanks or cylinder bundles can raise storage capacity above the threshold and trigger a notification. After notification, facilities must be maintained in line with technical standards. We determine from the gas type and storage capacity whether a notification is needed, and prepare and file the notification and attachments. We support plants in semiconductors, metalworking, food and other industries.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Starting a high-pressure gas sales business requires a notification to the prefectural governor for each sales office at least 20 days before the business begins (High Pressure Gas Safety Act Article 20-4). Regardless of whether gas is physically handled there, a location where transactions (contracts) are made counts as a sales office. Depending on the gas, a sales supervisor must also be appointed. Trading companies and material manufacturers handling gas as a secondary product, or opening or relocating offices, often hesitate over whether a notification is needed. We determine whether a notification is needed from your transaction model and gas types, and prepare and file notifications for each sales office and the sales supervisor appointment. LPG sales require separate registration under the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act, so please consult us about that too.

• Legal
• Safety Management
• Manufacturing Facility

Manufacturing or importing poisonous or deleterious substances for sale or transfer requires registration as a manufacturer or importer, renewed every five years. If you sell your own products only to other registered businesses in this field, manufacturer registration alone is sufficient and seller registration is not required. A poisonous and deleterious substances handling supervisor must be appointed for each plant or office and notified within 30 days. Importers without warehouses also need a supervisor, and dispatched workers or seconded staff who remain on another company's payroll cannot serve. Adding substances requires a change of registration. Our administrative scrivener, a qualified poisonous and deleterious substances handling supervisor, checks substances and facilities and the supervisor's requirements, and handles the registration application and the appointment notification.

• Legal
• Manufacturing Facility
• Safety Management

Selling or transferring poisonous or deleterious substances requires seller registration. There are three types: general sellers, sellers of agricultural items and sellers of specified items, each covering different substances. Even order-based selling, where you only arrange sales without holding stock, requires registration and a check of the requirements. Registration is renewed every six years. Each shop must meet facility standards and have a poisonous and deleterious substances handling supervisor. After registration, rules apply on transfer records, labeling and storage. Our administrative scrivener, a qualified poisonous and deleterious substances handling supervisor, chooses the registration type from the substances and sales method, checks the facility and supervisor, and prepares the application.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Safety Management

Businesses that handle poisonous or deleterious substances such as cyanides in electroplating, metal heat treatment and similar work must file a business handler notification within 30 days of starting to handle them (Article 22, Paragraph 1). The 30 days run from the day a new substance starts to be used or the covered business begins. Notified sites must appoint a dedicated poisonous and deleterious substances handling supervisor and notify the appointment within 30 days. Even businesses that do not need to notify may be subject to rules on storage and labeling. Our administrative scrivener, a qualified poisonous and deleterious substances handling supervisor, determines from the substances and industry whether notification is needed, and handles the business handler notification, the supervisor appointment notification, and change and discontinuation notifications.

• Legal
• Manufacturing Facility
• Safety Management

Manufacturing, importing, selling or using alcohol of 90 percent or more by volume requires a license under the Alcohol Business Act. However, if you buy and use specified alcohol, which is sold with an amount equivalent to liquor tax added, no license, bookkeeping or reporting is required. Which you choose greatly changes the amount of paperwork. After a license for general alcohol, you must keep receipt and disbursement books for five years and submit a business report by the end of May every year. Procedures are also needed when your name, address or purpose of use changes, or when you discontinue. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, determines from your usage volume and purpose whether general or specified alcohol suits you, and handles the license application, book formats and annual business reports.

• Legal
• Manufacturing Facility
• Safety Management

Procedures for producing, importing or selling fertilizer depend on its type. Ordinary fertilizers require registration, valid for three years (six years for types specified by ministerial ordinance). Special fertilizers and designated mixed fertilizers require notification, and businesses selling fertilizer must notify the prefectural governor within two weeks of starting sales. When you want to ship a by-product as fertilizer or have fertilizer produced at another company's plant, the starting point is deciding which procedure applies. There are also obligations on guarantee labels and record keeping. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, determines the fertilizer type from raw materials and processes, prepares registration applications and notifications, and checks guarantee labels.

• Legal
• Product Development
• Quality Display

Transporting other companies' industrial waste as a business requires a collection and transport permit under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act from each prefecture where waste is loaded or unloaded (Article 14, Paragraph 1). The standard review period alone is 60 days, and from booking the required training course to receiving the permit you should allow three to four months in total. Requirements include completing the training course, suitable vehicles and containers, a sound financial basis and not falling under the disqualification grounds. Depending on your financial statements, additional documents on the financial basis may be requested, and applications often stall at this point. In Osaka Prefecture, a new permit carries an application fee of 81,000 yen in addition to our fee. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, confirms the permit scope from the types and properties of the waste you will carry, and handles the training course arrangements and the application documents, including vehicles, containers and the financial basis.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

Transporting specially controlled industrial waste, such as flammable waste oil, strongly acidic or alkaline waste liquids and infectious waste, requires a separate permit for specially controlled industrial waste in addition to the ordinary industrial waste permit. A dedicated training course must be completed, and stricter rules apply to containers, labeling and manifests. Whether waste is specially controlled depends on properties such as the pH of waste liquids and the flash point of waste oil. Applying with the wrong classification can lead to refusal or a legal violation, so the determination is the starting point. Our administrative scrivener, who managed waste liquids and waste oil as a former chemical-company researcher, determines the classification from SDSs and analysis results, organizes the permit scope, and handles the training course arrangements and application documents. Applications combined with an ordinary industrial waste permit are also welcome.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

If you unload collected industrial waste at your own site and transfer or store it before moving it on, you need a collection and transport permit that includes transfer and storage. Compared with a permit without transfer and storage, it involves prior consultation before the application, facility requirements and storage standards, and different fees and review periods. Unless you check the zoning and whether neighbors must be informed before building the facility, you may have to redo the whole plan. Depending on the quantity and method of storage, the line between storage and intermediate treatment also needs attention. From the candidate-site stage, we check the zoning and whether prior consultation is required, organize a facility plan that meets the storage standards, and prepare the prior consultation and permit application documents.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

Industrial waste collection and transport permits must be renewed every five years. Osaka Prefecture accepts renewals from three months before expiry, and the validity of the training course certificate must also be checked. If the deadline passes, the permit lapses and you must start again with a new application. After the permit, changes such as adding vehicles or changing officers require notification (within 10 days of the change, or 30 days where a certificate of registered matters is attached). Adding waste types is not a notification but a permit for change of business scope. Missed notifications are sometimes discovered at renewal. We track your permit deadlines and planned changes together, and prepare renewal applications, change notifications and scope-change permit applications. Renewals of specially controlled industrial waste permits are also covered.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

When a plant outsources its industrial waste to treatment contractors, the generator must conclude consignment contracts and issue manifests (industrial waste control slips). Contracts have statutory items, and rules apply such as attaching copies of permits, contracting directly with each transport and disposal contractor, and the ban on re-consignment. From January 2026, items on PRTR-listed substances contained in the waste were added. Businesses that issued manifests must report the issuance status for the previous fiscal year by June 30 each year. Violations of the consignment standards are punishable for the generator as well. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, reviews and drafts consignment contracts based on the types and properties of your waste, and checks your manifest operation and reporting.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

Among equipment that discharges wastewater, such as for cleaning, plating or reactions, installing a specified facility under the Water Pollution Control Act requires notification at least 61 days before construction starts. Prefectural ordinances may also designate equipment not covered by the national list as notifiable facilities. Installing or operating without notification is punishable. The notification describes the structure and use of the facility, the wastewater treatment method, and the volume and quality of discharged water. Afterwards, obligations such as meeting effluent standards and measuring and recording continue. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, checks from equipment specifications and processes whether it is a specified facility, and prepares the notification and attachments. We also organize other environmental notifications needed for the same equipment, such as under the Air Pollution Control Act or Noise Regulation Act.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Manufacturing Facility

Installing boilers, drying furnaces, incinerators and similar equipment that meet the size thresholds for soot and smoke emitting facilities requires notification under the Air Pollution Control Act. Construction may not start for 60 days after the notification is accepted. Prefectural ordinances may add stricter rules. The notification describes the type and structure of the facility, how it is used and how soot and smoke are treated. After installation, emission standards must be met and emissions measured and recorded. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, checks from equipment specifications whether the thresholds are met, prepares the notification and attachments, and plans the schedule around the 60-day restriction. We also organize other notifications needed for the same work, such as for water and noise.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Manufacturing Facility

Installing air compressors, blowers, presses, crushers and similar equipment that are specified facilities under the Noise Regulation Act or Vibration Regulation Act at a plant in a designated area requires notification to the municipality at least 30 days before construction starts. Increasing the number of facilities may also require a change notification. Many machines fall under both acts, so notifications are easily missed. A notification is also needed when a facility is removed. We check from equipment specifications and location whether the facility and area are covered, and prepare the notification and attachments as well as change and removal notifications. We also organize other notifications needed for the same work, such as for water and air.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Manufacturing Facility

Before demolishing a plant or selling its land, you need to check whether a notification under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act is required. The main cases are closing a specified facility that used specified hazardous substances, altering the form or nature of land of 3,000 square meters or more, and removing contaminated soil. Prefectural ordinances may add further procedures. Surveys are carried out by designated investigation bodies, and notifications and reports proceed based on the results. If contamination is found, area designation and countermeasures are required, affecting the sale or construction schedule. Our administrative scrivener, a former chemical-company researcher, identifies the cases requiring notification from the substances and facility history of the plant, coordinates with the designated investigation body, and prepares the notifications.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

Old transformers, capacitors and fluorescent-lamp ballasts may contain PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Under the PCB Special Measures Act, disposal deadlines are set for PCB waste, and businesses storing it must notify the storage status every year. The storage location may not be changed freely. Missing the deadline can lead to improvement orders or administrative execution. Because disposal deadlines and contractors differ for high- and low-concentration PCB waste, the first step is to confirm the category of what you store. We help confirm the category of PCB waste from information such as equipment nameplates, prepare the annual storage status notifications, and organize disposal contractors and steps.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Safety Management

Businesses that fill or recover fluorocarbons in commercial air conditioners and refrigeration equipment (Class 1 specified products) must be registered with the prefectural governor. Air-conditioning contractors and maintenance companies are increasingly asked by prime contractors and customers to show this registration. Registration is valid for five years and lapses unless renewed. After registration, obligations include issuing filling and recovery certificates, keeping records and notifying changes. We check the registration requirements and grounds for refusal, prepare the application, and handle change notifications after registration and renewals every five years.

• Legal
• Other environmental measures and recycling
• Manufacturing Facility