There are many kinds of “contracts”, but in many situations the problems are harder to solve. Mainly for foreigners living in Japan, due to the language barrier, they often end up without a solution for their problem.

A seminar sponsored by Mie Government offered free information on how to avoid and solve contract related problems.

[Interview with Mr. Nozoe Shuntaro – director of Consumer Affairs Center]

1- What is a contract?

“We can define it as a word meaning “commitment” but is legally mandatory”.

2- Could you cite some common examples of contract?

“A contract is something familiar for many people, for example, buying a beverage in a vending machine, this act is obviously considered as a contract. As well as acquiring a house, a product in a store. However, there are other acts that are not consider as contracts, personal promises such as go on a date with your boyfriend/girlfriend or arrange a soccer game with a friend”.

3- In order to cancel a contract, what should we do?

“There are 3 kinds of contract which can be cancelled.

One of them is when both interested parties agree on the rescission of a contract.

The other one is when there is a specific reason. Such as the non- compliance of the clauses by one of the parties, when there is a false data inserted or if signed a contract under threat. In these cases, it is possible to invalidate the contract, or perform the rescission of it”.

4- What is Cooling-off?

“Cooling-off is a specified period system that benefits the rescission of the contract even after it is performed. Regarding the specified periods, there is one with 8 and another one with 20 days. In the case of a specified period of 8 days, it is directed to door-to-door-sales, telemarketing and continued provision of specific services. These continued provision of specific services are beauty salons, preparatory courses, services where the efficiency can only be observed after the opening procedures.

In the case of door-to-door-sales, if it is within the 8 days period, the cooling-off is viable.

There is also a 20 days period. Multi-level marketing, domestic work and commercial monitor, are marketings where it is possible to carry out the cooling-off since it is within the 20 days period.

5- A number of foreign citizens face problems on multi-level marketing contracts (Maruchi Shouhou). Is it possible to cancel them?

“Yes, multi-marketing contracts can be cancelled since they are within the specific period. The 20 days period begin to run from the receipt of the contract.

6- When a citizen face problems related to contracts, where they can find help?

“If the citizen understands Japanese, it is possible to get help at “Shouhisha Hot Line”. By contacting this place, the call will be redirected to a help desk closer where this citizen resides.

Or it ispossible to find help at “Mie-ken Shouhi Seikatsu Center”. However, if this citizen is not able to understand Japanese, it is possible to consult a help desk for foreigner residents in the city this citizen lives.

People who joined the seminar received important information on contracts, and they will be able to use them in their lives, as well as help their acquaintances.

[Brazilian Participant Interview]

“I advise people to pay attention to what people are trying to sell to them before sign a contract. And I also advise them to be careful since most of people who come to offer some business to us is someone very close to us, sometimes is a friend or a reliable Japanese who come to sell an insurance and we end up signing it, but we should be careful before sign a contract”.