I was injured by a defective product. Who can I claim damages from?

What the Law Says

Japan’s Product Liability Act (PL Act) establishes strict liability for defects in products that cause harm to life, body, or property.

Under the PL Act, anyone who manufactured, imported, or sold a defective product is liable for damages if the defect causes injury or death. You do not need to prove negligence — only that the product was defective, the defect caused your injury, and you suffered actual harm.

The law applies to all products supplied in the course of business, including components and raw materials. It covers personal injury, death, and damage to property other than the defective product itself.

Claims must be filed within 3 years from when you knew (or should have known) of the damage and the identity of the responsible party. In any case, no claim is valid more than 10 years after the product was delivered to the consumer.

Statutory Text

A person who has been damaged by a defect in a product may claim damages from the manufacturer, importer or seller of the product.

— Product Liability Act, s. 3 — Liability of Manufacturers, Importers and Sellers

Statutory Text

The right to claim damages shall be extinguished after the expiration of three years from the time when the victim or his/her legal representative becomes aware of the damage and of the identity of the person liable for the damage.

— Product Liability Act, s. 5 — Limitation Period

Statutory Text

In any case, the right to claim damages shall be extinguished after the expiration of ten years from the time when the product was delivered to the user or consumer.

— Product Liability Act, s. 5 — Limitation Period

What to Do

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