Persistent solicitation despite refusal. Is this illegal?

What the Law Says

Japanese law explicitly prohibits persistent solicitation after a clear refusal, treating it as an unfair trade practice that undermines consumer autonomy and peace of mind.

Under the Act on Prevention of Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (commonly called the 'Premiums and Representations Act'), repeated solicitation after refusal is banned if it causes 'significant annoyance or distress' to the consumer.

Article 7-2 of the Act states: 'No person shall solicit another person to enter into a contract for the provision of goods or services more than three times after the other person has clearly refused such solicitation.'

This rule applies to door-to-door sales, telemarketing, email campaigns, and in-person approaches — regardless of whether the solicitor is a business or individual acting commercially.

Violations are punishable by imprisonment with work for up to five years or a fine of up to three million yen, or both.

Statutory Text

No person shall solicit another person to enter into a contract for the provision of goods or services more than three times after the other person has clearly refused such solicitation.

— Act on Prevention of Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, Art. 7-2 — Prohibition of repeated solicitation

What to Do

Sources