On 2 September 2026 the Japan Fair Trade Commission announced that it had issued requests concerning payment practices across supply chains, ahead of the abolition of promissory notes. The requests were addressed to industry associations in each sector, and to financial institutions and the ministries supervising them.
This page sets out what has been published, together with the statutory wording.
Timeline
| Date | Item |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Toritekihou in force |
| 30 September 2026 | Final date for issuing promissory notes and cheques set by many financial institutions |
| 31 March 2027 | Clearing of promissory notes and cheques at the Electronic Clearing House ends |
| 1 April 2027 | Antimonopoly payment notification takes effect |
Requests to industry associations
- Under the Toritekihou, paying by promissory note is prohibited for orders placed on or after 1 January 2026
- Other non-cash means, including electronically recorded monetary claims and collective settlement arrangements, are also prohibited where the full amount cannot be received by a payment due date set within 60 days of receipt of the goods
- Commissioning and receiving businesses should confer, understand the payment notification, and set appropriate payment dates
- Work towards appropriate payment practices across the supply chain
- Move from promissory notes and cheques to electronic settlement services
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Try for free →Requests to financial institutions
- Respond to consultations on cash-flow support
- Explain and communicate carefully and reliably to businesses
- Support a smooth transition to electronic means of settlement
The payment notification
The payment notification takes effect on 1 April 2027. According to what has been published, it prohibits a business that has placed a manufacturing or similar order from failing to pay the corresponding amount more than 60 days after receiving the goods, even where the transaction falls outside the Toritekihou.
Sources
- Japan Fair Trade Commission, request of 2 September 2026: https://www.jftc.go.jp/yakusokutegata_yousei.html
- Toritekihou (e-Gov): https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/331AC0000000120
This page is compiled from material published by government agencies and from statutory text. Please consult a lawyer where a decision is needed on a specific transaction.
