It is not permissible for a person to engage in specified prepaid transactions in the course of trade without being licensed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; provided, however, that this does not apply in the following cases:
前払式特定取引は、経済産業大臣の許可を受けた者でなければ、業として営んではならない。ただし、次の場合は、この限りでない。
the annual transaction value from specified prepaid transactions for goods or designated services is less than the amount specified by Cabinet Order;
the designated services are newly specified, and a person currently engaged in those designated services in the course of trade using specified prepaid transactions, deals in those designated services for six months from the date of their specification (if the application referred to in Article 12, paragraph (1) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the following Article is submitted during that period, this includes the time up until the license sought under that application is granted or refused); or
after the period stated in the preceding item passes, the only such dealings the person engages in are aimed at enabling the completion of transactions under the contracts for specified prepaid transactions for the designated services referred to in that item, which have been concluded by the last day of that period.
specified prepaid transaction
「前払式特定取引」
Acting as an intermediary in the purchase of goods (商品の売買の取次ぎ), or providing, or acting as an intermediary for, services a Cabinet Order (政令) specifies, where all or part of the price is received from the purchaser or service recipient in three or more installments over two months or more before the goods are delivered or the services provided.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (6)· applies throughout the law
designated services
「指定役務」
In Article 2, paragraph (6), Articles 35-3-61 and 35-3-62, and Articles 41 and 41-2, the services a Cabinet Order (政令) specifies for specified prepaid transactions (前払式特定取引).
Short name set inArticle 2, paragraph (6)· applies only in this paragraph and in Articles 35-3-61, 35-3-62, 41 and 41-2