Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Requirements
Travel business law
The Travel Agency Act requires registration by category and imposes duties: terms and conditions disclosure, written contracts, handling of deposits and refunds, and prohibitions on misleading advertising. Know the distinction between a package tour (with transport) and ground-only arrangements, and who bears responsibility when a supplier fails.
Accommodation and licensing
Lodging operates under the Hotel Business Act or the Private Lodging Business Act (minpaku), with caps on nights and local rules. Unlicensed accommodation is a compliance risk for any operator.
Guides, visas and data
Licensed guide-interpreter rules changed (national qualification remains but is no longer a monopoly for paid guiding). Visa and entry requirements vary by nationality-check current rules, never assume. Personal data handling is governed by the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI); cross-border transfer needs care. Consumer contract and advertising rules apply to claims and pricing displays.
Traps
Questions test whether you rely on outdated visa or guiding rules, or ignore written-contract and disclosure duties. Another trap: assuming a supplier's licence covers your legal obligation-it does not.
Rule of thumb
If you cannot cite the written term, the licence or the current official source, treat it as unverified and confirm before selling.