JapanWant to cancel long-term beauty salon contract but fee is high.
In Japan, you may cancel a long-term beauty salon contract early under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, but the salon can charge a reasonable cancellation fee — capped at actual damages or 20% of remaining contract value, whichever is lower.
What the Law Says
Japanese law protects consumers in long-term service contracts like beauty salons through the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions (ASCT). It limits cancellation fees and guarantees a cooling-off period.
Beauty salon contracts lasting more than one month are classified as 'specified continuous service contracts' under the ASCT. These include hair, esthetic, nail, and other recurring personal care services.
You have an 8-day cooling-off period after signing — during which you can cancel for free, no questions asked. This applies only if the contract was signed away from the salon (e.g., at home, via phone, or online).
After the cooling-off period, you may still cancel at any time, but the salon may charge a cancellation fee. However, the fee must be reasonable and cannot exceed either (a) your actual damages to the business, or (b) 20% of the remaining contract amount — whichever is lower.
The salon must give you written notice of cancellation terms — including fee calculation method — before you sign. If they fail to do so, the fee clause is invalid.
Statutory TextWhere a specified continuous service contract is concluded, the provider shall, prior to concluding the contract, deliver to the consumer a written document stating the matters prescribed by Cabinet Order.
— Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, s. 37 — Obligation to Provide Written Explanation
Statutory TextThe amount of the penalty for breach of contract or the amount of damage compensation stipulated in a specified continuous service contract shall not exceed the amount equivalent to the damage actually incurred by the provider… or 20 per cent of the amount of consideration for the remaining period of the contract, whichever is smaller.
— Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, s. 40 — Limitation on Penalty and Damage Compensation
What to Do
Check your contract date and location: if signed off-premises (e.g., at home), you have 8 days to cancel freely.
Send written cancellation notice to the salon by certified mail (with receipt) — keep a copy.
If charged a fee, ask for a written breakdown showing how it complies with Section 40 of the ASCT (i.e., ≤20% of remaining value or proven damages).
If the fee exceeds the legal cap or no written explanation was given upfront, contact the Consumer Affairs Agency or file a complaint with JFTC.
You must receive any refund within 14 days after valid cancellation — unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.