28/07/2026
[New Legal Blog Announcement]
" Fundamentals of Prepaid Payment Instruments and Practical Design Considerations”
We are pleased to announce that our professionals, Poom Kerdsang and Kensho Onoda of GVA GLOBAL LPC, have published a legal blog article on Japanese prepaid payment instruments, which provides practical insights for foreign startups entering the Japanese market.
For foreign startups designing digital products with stored value features for the Japanese market, understanding the regulatory framework for prepaid payment instruments is a critical first step. When designing prepaid balances, in-app currencies, digital gift certificates, and similar products in Japan, companies should confirm whether they fall under the definition of "prepaid payment instruments" under the Payment Services Act. If they do, regulatory requirements apply, including filing notifications and depositing issuance guarantee funds for the In-House type and obtaining prior registration (broadly defined as “license”) for the Third-Party type. Legal clarification during the initial design phase is therefore essential.
We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to read the information at the following.
https://gvalaw.jp/en/blog/p20260728/