JapanDoes the Product Liability Act apply to defects in used goods?
Yes, the Product Liability Act applies to defects in used goods if the seller is a business operator who supplied the product in the course of business.
What the Law Says
The Product Liability Act (PL Act) in Japan imposes strict liability on business operators for damages caused by defective products — including used goods — when supplied in the course of business.
The PL Act applies regardless of whether the product is new or used, as long as it was supplied by a 'business operator' (a person engaged in manufacturing, processing, importing, or selling products in the course of business).
A private individual selling a used item informally (e.g., via flea market or online auction) is not considered a business operator under the Act and therefore is not liable under PL Act provisions.
The claimant must file suit within 3 years from when they knew (or should have known) both the damage and the identity of the responsible business operator. In any case, liability ends 10 years after the product was delivered to the user — this is an absolute time bar.
Statutory TextA business operator who supplies a product in the course of business shall be liable to compensate for damage caused by a defect in the product.
— Product Liability Act, s. 3 — Liability of Business Operators
Statutory TextThe right to claim compensation shall be extinguished after the expiration of three years from the time when the victim or his/her legal representative came to know of the damage and the identity of the business operator liable therefor.
— Product Liability Act, s. 5 — Period of Limitation
Statutory TextIn any case, the right to claim compensation shall be extinguished after the expiration of ten years from the time when the product was delivered to the user.
— Product Liability Act, s. 5 — Period of Limitation
What to Do
Confirm whether the seller qualifies as a 'business operator' (e.g., licensed dealer, store, or regular online seller).
Gather evidence of the defect, damage, and causal link (e.g., photos, repair records, expert opinion).
File a claim within 3 years of discovering both the damage and the responsible business operator.
Note: If more than 10 years have passed since the used product was delivered to you (or original buyer), the claim is time-barred.
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.