Consumer Advisory · Contract Review
Knowing whether an agreement actually binds you — before accepting that it does.
When a business tells you that a contract is binding and your options are limited, the first useful step is finding out whether that is accurate.
← Back to Home Arrange a ConsultationWhat this engagement delivers
A written explanation of where you stand
Consumer agreements are written by the businesses that issue them, and they are not always written in the consumer's interest. Terms that appear definitive may be unenforceable. Rights to cancel that exist in law may not be reflected in the document you signed. What a business asserts and what the applicable legal framework actually provides are not always the same thing.
This advisory provides a written explanation of your position — what the agreement says, what it means in practice, whether any terms are likely to be unenforceable, and what routes are available to you before any formal step becomes necessary.
Written explanation of the applicable position
A clear statement of what the agreement means in practice and where your rights actually sit.
Review of cancellation rights and term enforceability
Analysis of whether the agreement binds you as presented, and whether any terms are likely to be set aside.
Drafted letter where correspondence is appropriate
A letter to the business that reflects your position accurately, where writing to them is the appropriate next step.
Direction to consumer affairs where more suitable
Where the matter is better handled by a consumer affairs centre at no cost, that is stated plainly and the route is explained.
The situation many individuals find themselves in
When a business says the contract is clear
It is a particular kind of uncertainty: you signed something, or you enrolled in something, and the terms that seemed reasonable at the time have become a source of difficulty. Perhaps the service is not what you understood it to be. Perhaps you tried to cancel and were told you cannot. Perhaps charges have continued past a point you thought the arrangement had ended.
The business's position is often stated with confidence. That confidence is sometimes accurate and sometimes not. Without reviewing the actual agreement against the applicable legal framework, it is not possible to know which — and the cost of assuming the business is right can be a continuous obligation you did not need to accept.
Subscription and continuous service arrangements present their own set of considerations. The terms that govern renewal, cancellation notice periods, and what constitutes acceptance of a changed service are not always made clear at the point of sign-up — and disputes about them are more common than businesses tend to acknowledge.
This advisory is intended for individuals who are uncertain whether they are bound as the other party asserts, and who want a considered view of the position before deciding what to do.
The advisory approach
How the review is conducted
The engagement begins with the agreement itself — the document you signed, or the terms you accepted, along with any variation that followed. If the dispute concerns what was communicated to you at the point of sale rather than what the written terms say, that context is relevant and is taken into account.
Japan's Consumer Contract Act provides specific protections that apply regardless of what any individual agreement states. The review considers whether any terms in your agreement are likely to fall within those protections, and whether the business's conduct at the point of contracting is relevant to your position.
The written advisory then explains what the agreement means in practice, where your rights sit, and what steps are available — including, where it applies, whether a consumer affairs centre is the more appropriate and cost-effective route than a paid engagement.
Agreement and correspondence review
The written terms, any variation, and relevant communications with the business are reviewed in full.
Term enforceability assessment
Each term in dispute is assessed against the applicable legal framework, including consumer protection provisions.
Available routes identified
The options available — correspondence, consumer affairs, or formal routes — are set out with an honest view of each.
Written advisory and letter if applicable
A complete written explanation, plus a drafted letter to the business where correspondence is the appropriate next step.
Working together
What the process looks like from your side
Initial contact
You describe the situation briefly through the contact form — what the agreement concerns, what the dispute is, and what the business has said. You share the written terms when you have them.
Three weeks for review
Consumer contract matters are typically resolved within three weeks of receiving the relevant materials. You are kept informed throughout if anything else is needed.
Written advisory delivered
You receive a written explanation of your position, what routes are available, and — where appropriate — a drafted letter to the business or guidance toward a consumer centre.
Most consumer contract matters do not require formal proceedings. The advisory is designed to resolve the uncertainty and give you a clear basis for whichever next step is appropriate.
Advisory fee
The Investment
¥18,000
Fixed fee · No surprises
Review of agreement, variation, and related correspondence
Assessment of cancellation rights and term enforceability
Review of subscription and continuous service arrangements
Written explanation of available routes through consumer affairs bodies
Drafted letter to the business where correspondence is appropriate
Direction to a consumer centre at no cost where that route is more suitable
The fee is agreed before the engagement begins and does not change during it. Where the matter is better taken to a consumer affairs centre, that is stated and the fee is not charged for a recommendation to go elsewhere.
Approach and framework
How progress is measured and tracked
The measure of this advisory is whether you understand your position clearly enough to decide what to do. Consumer contract disputes that are not resolved through correspondence typically proceed to consumer affairs bodies rather than courts — and the written advisory is designed to support either path.
Japan's Consumer Contract Act, the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, and the terms of the agreement itself form the framework for the review. The assessment considers each in turn against the specific facts of your situation.
The process within the three-week period is structured: the agreement is reviewed first, the applicable legal protections are assessed second, and the advisory and any correspondence are prepared third. You are informed directly if the review reveals something material that changes the framing.
Week one
Agreement review and legal framework mapping
The agreement and all supporting materials are reviewed. Applicable consumer protections are identified and mapped against the specific terms in dispute.
Week two
Routes assessment and advisory preparation
Available routes are assessed and the written advisory is prepared. Correspondence is drafted where the review supports writing to the business.
Week three
Review and delivery
The written advisory and any accompanying documents are reviewed and issued. A brief follow-up is available if any part of the advisory requires clarification.
Commitment and approach
What you can rely on
The fee is fixed
The quoted fee does not change during the engagement. If the scope shifts materially, that is discussed with you before any additional work is undertaken.
The assessment is honest
Where a consumer affairs centre is the more appropriate route — and the less costly one — that is stated clearly. The advisory is not structured to generate further engagement.
The timeline is observed
Consumer contract matters are typically resolved within three weeks. If something requires more time, you are told directly before the deadline passes.
No obligation on initial enquiry
Describing your situation through the contact form carries no obligation. The initial exchange is to understand whether this advisory is appropriate for what you are facing.
How to proceed
The path from here
Send an enquiry
Describe the situation briefly — what the agreement concerns and what the business has said about your rights. Share the written terms if you have them; if not, note what you signed and when.
Confirm the engagement
A response follows within two working days confirming the scope and the fixed fee. The engagement begins when you confirm in writing and provide the relevant materials.
Receive your advisory
Within approximately three weeks, you receive a written explanation of your position and the routes available to you — including correspondence or consumer centre referral where applicable.
The initial exchange carries no obligation. If after describing your situation a consumer affairs centre is clearly the more appropriate route, that is the first thing said.
Consumer Contract Advice · ¥18,000
Find out where you actually stand
Describe your situation through the contact form. A response follows within two working days, and the initial exchange carries no obligation.
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