Japan Lending and Consumer Credit License (MLA)

Japan Lending and Consumer Credit License (MLA)

Legal lending qualifications regulated by the "Gold Loan Industry Law" (Money lending business registration)

Japanese money lending and consumer credit license (legal name "Loan Gold Industry Registration", Commonly referred to as MLA license in practice)Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA)and regulated by the local finance bureau in accordance with the "Gold Loan Industry Law", And it is subject to industry self-discipline management by the Japan Financial Services Association (JFSA). Approved "loan operators" are legally entitled to provide consumer credit, Corporate finance and secured loan franchises. Unified substantive access standards apply to applications by foreign-invested entities, However, special procedures apply to identity and nationality verification and overseas criminal penetration review.. Hong Kong Express provides applying entities with coverage of Japanese corporate establishment, 5000Ten thousand yen net assets compliance capital verification, Daily processing of foreigners’ alternative affidavits and residence status materials, Full-case legal compliance agency services for the implementation of anti-money laundering (AML/CFT) system.

Release time: Application preparation reference
Hong Kong Huitong service teamApply for support
Document preparation and project coordination
work focus: business needs, Document consistency and matters to be confirmed
Service direction: Business description, Sorting out application materials and ongoing compliance matters
Service Description: Organize disclosure regulatory requirements based on proposed business operations, Material list and project nodes. Involving legal opinions, During audit or professional assurance, The corresponding professionals and service scope should be confirmed separately.; Competent agencies and banks make independent review decisions.
Familiar with the regulatory application process
Professional compliance team
Standardized compliance process
Multi-jurisdictional services

1. MLA license legal access conditions and operational substantive requirements

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Legal personality and internal governance

The applicant must be a legally established corporation. Institutions must establish a risk management framework within Japan that complies with Japan's "Comprehensive Supervision Guidelines for Financial Instrument Business Operators", Business control specifications and compliance assessment mechanism, To prevent excessive borrowing and illegal debt collection.

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statutory net worth bottom line

in accordance with"Gold Loan Industry Law", The applicant entity must possess and maintain at all times no less than 5000 Own net assets of 10,000 yen. The source of funds must be legally traceable, It is strictly prohibited to include debt financing projects in the calculation of compliant net assets..

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Legal full-time business director

Mandatory localization requirements. In every business office, Every full 50 practitioners, Must configure at least 1 A full-time "loan business acquisition director" who has passed Japan's national qualification examination and completed legal registration.

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Executive qualification review (Fit and Proper)

Implement strict negative element review. Core executives and shareholders must prove that they have no record of bankruptcy and non-restoration of rights., No criminal history related to financial crimes, And there is absolutely no connection with transnational or local anti-social forces (such as organized crime groups).

Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) office building logo
Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) logo.

2. List of Exclusive Review Files for Foreign-Invested Entities and Foreign Executives

"Foreigner's Affidavit to Proof of Personal Status": Because foreigners do not have a “Certificate of Identity” from their place of residence in Japan, The substituted oath must be submitted in accordance with the law, Declaration of no bankruptcy and no criminal record.

Official photo ID: Mandatory submission of executive passport (Passport), Color copies of residence card or alien registration certificate for background verification.

Certificate of compulsory recording of nationality: The "Copy of Resident Registration" submitted by residents in Japan must clearly indicate nationality.; Overseas residents must provide equivalent proof of residence issued by their home country.

Requirements for daily translation of foreign language materials: All non-Japanese supporting materials and company documents generated due to foreign investment background, An accurate Japanese translation must be attached for review by the Executive Office in accordance with the law..

Penetrating AML and Antisocial Censorship Files: The overseas parent company and actual controller (UBO) structure must be disclosed, Prove that it is not controlled by any anti-social forces and financial interference.

3. MLA license statutory application and administrative review procedures

Stage one: Corporate establishment and capital in place (about 3-5 week)

Establish a company (KK) in Japan according to law. Fully paid registered capital, Establish a compliant business office, and complete no less than 5000 Financial capital verification of net assets of 10,000 yen.

Stage 2: Compilation of case files and signing of oath (about 4-6 week)

Hong Kong Huitong prepares internal supervision rules and business control documents on your behalf. Guide foreign senior executives to complete the signing and Japanese translation and notarization of alternative identity certificates such as the "Oath to Proof of Personal Status for Foreigners".

Stage three: Formal submission and substantive penetration review (2-4 months)

Officially submit a registration application to the local finance bureau of the jurisdiction. The Executive Office launches compliance hearings on foreign investment backgrounds, Focus on checking overseas financial criminal records and involvement of anti-social forces.

Stage four: Licensing and statutory system access (about 4 week)

After passing the review and paying the license tax, Obtained the registration number of "Financial Loan Operator". Join the Japan Gold Lending Association in accordance with the law, And access designated credit information agencies (such as JICC) to fulfill total regulatory review obligations.

Tokyo city night view, Japan
Tokyo is Japan's main financial and commercial center.

4. Japanese MLA license statutory fees and capital elements

Check category Analysis of statutory regulatory standards and amounts
statutory net worth bottom line 5000 Ten thousand yuan. a hard financial threshold, Capital verification certificate must be produced when applying, And continue to maintain it during the license period.
Registration license tax After approval, Must be paid to the Ministry of Finance of Japan in accordance with the law 15 Ten thousand yuan statutory registration license tax.
Gold Loan Industry Association membership dues Membership fees and annual regular membership fees are billed in a tiered manner based on the company's "loan balance scale", Used to maintain industry self-discipline and data reporting mechanisms.
Application and Compliance Support and Compliance Costs Covers corporate establishment, Agency processing of executive background certificates, Notarized translation of case files and agency services for administrative hearings, Evaluate depending on the complexity of the case.

5. Trigger deal rejection (Refuse to approve) absolute red line

Overseas Financial Crime Penalties: Foreign executives in the past 5 During the year, due to violation of the "Gold Loan Business Law" of the country where the country is located, which is equivalent to Japan's, The "Investment Contribution Law" and other regulations are subject to equivalent fines or higher penalties, Directly trigger rejection requirements.

Anti-social forces implicated: Penetrating review, Discover the overall structure of the enterprise, The parent company or actual controller is controlled by or associated with a transnational or local organized criminal group (anti-social force).

Alternative file defects: Foreign executives failed to submit the "Oath to Proof of Personal Status of Foreigners" in compliance with regulations, Or the nationality record is intentionally omitted from the residence document (such as a copy of the resident record)..

6. Industry compliance trends and regulatory frontiers

  • Compliance operational requirements

    Total amount regulation and loan assessment: According to the current "Gold Loan Industry Law", Money lenders must have mandatory access to designated credit information systems (such as JICC), Strictly implement the "total amount regulation": That is, no loans may be granted to individuals that would cause their total unsecured borrowings to exceed one-third of their annual income..

  • Administrative regulatory benchmarks

    Strengthen supervision and guidance: According to the "Comprehensive Supervision Guidelines for Financial Instrument Business Operators", Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) strengthens internal control audits of licensed institutions, Ensure that the lending interest rate does not violate the legal upper limits of the Capital Contribution Act and the Interest Restriction Act.

Tokyo, Japan city architecture
Urban and commercial buildings in Tokyo, Japan.

7. Practical Legal Questions and Answers (FAQ): Analysis of legal conditions and core pain points

8. Official supervision and application information

Official materials Main purpose Link
List of regulated financial institutions and registrations in Japan Check registration and regulatory information for lending and related financial businesses Japan

9. Relevant regulations, Regulatory information and further reading

Data category Related information
Licensing and regulatory authorities