Display based on the Payment Services Act ("資金決済法に基づく表示") refers to the requirement under the Payment Services Act (PSA) in Japan that payment service providers must display certain information to users in a clear and conspicuous manner. This requirement is aimed at ensuring transparency and promoting fair competition in the market for payment services.

Under the Payment Services Act, payment service providers must display information to users on a range of topics such as the types of payment methods they accept, the fees and charges associated with their services their terms and conditions, and their security measures. This information must be displayed prominently and must be easily understandable to users. Additionally, payment service providers must ensure that the information they display is accurate and up-to-date.

By displaying information about their services in a clear and transparent manner, payment service providers can help to build trust and confidence with their users and promote the growth and development of the payment services market in Japan.

When to display?

For online merchants, usually, the Notation based on the Specified Commercial Transactions Act ("特定商取引法に基づく表記") already contains the information which meets the requirement of the Payment Services Act (PSA).

However, when a merchant provides prepaid payment methods (https://www.s-kessai.jp/businesses/prepaid_means_overview.html), for example, prepaid payment methods such as gift cards, magnetic or IC prepaid cards, prepaid cards that can be used on the internet, etc., and meets several conditions, the merchant is regarded as a prepaid payment method issuer ("前払式支払手段発行者"), and at this time, the merchant is obliged to provide relevant information on the website based on the Payment Services Act as required.

How to determine a prepaid payment method issuer?

Based on the business fact, the merchant can decide if it is (1) not applicable to be a prepaid payment method issuer; (2) applicable to a third-party issuer ("第三者型発行者"); (3) applicable to an in-house issuer ("自家型発行者").

Not Applicable

If the merchant's prepaid method, for example, the gift cards selling on the merchant's website, has a validity period of no more than 180 days or 6 months, the merchant is not applicable to be a prepaid payment method issuer, and doesn't need to apply for any prepaid issuing license.

If the validity period is greater than 180 days or 6 months, and the total balance of all customers of the merchant is less than 10 million yen at the end of March and September each year, the merchant is also not eligible to be a prepaid payment method issuer. However, if the merchant is in such a business fact, we strongly recommend merchants to apply to become an in-house issuer in order to conduct business better, since the 10-million-yen total balance of all customers is not a large amount and easy to exceed.

However, it's still required that the merchant has to display a specific page that should be found easily by the customer (usually at the foot of the webpage), and list a range of topics to illustrate the services in a clear and conspicuous manner.

Third-Party Issuer

If the merchant's prepaid method has a validity period of more than 180 days or 6 months, and it can be applied to places other than the prepaid method issuer, for example, the balance of wallets such as LINE Pay and PayPay, the merchant is judged as a third-party issuer and is required to register at the Financial Services Agency (FSA).

In-House Issuer

If the merchant's prepaid method has a validity period of more than 180 days or 6 months, and it can only be applied to the merchant's own website or app, for example, the point balance of an online game, the merchant is judged as an in-house issuer and is required to register at the FSA.

How to display?

To make up a Display based on the Payment Services Act page ("資金決済法に基づく表示"), it is required to provide a range of topics.

1. Issuer Name 発行者の名称
2. Payable Amount of Prepaid Payment Method, etc. 支払可能金額等
3. Prepaid Payment Method Usage Period and Expiration Date 前払式支払手段の使用期間・期限
4. Location and Contact Information of Business Offices, etc. that respond to complaints and consultations from users 苦情・相談の窓口
5. Range of Facilities and Locations where prepaid payment methods can be used 使用可能な施設・場所の範囲
6. Necessary Precautions for using prepaid payment methods 利用上の注意
7. In the case of prepaid payment methods that record the amount and quantity by electromagnetic means, the method of knowing the unused balance 未使用残高を確認する方法
8. If there are any terms and conditions pertaining to the use of prepaid payment methods, a statement to that effect 利用規約

🚧

Based on different business and commodities & services, different contents are required. Further information besides the listed contents is definitely more helpful for illustrating the services to the customers.

An easy-to-understand Sample

Learn how to create a Display based on the Payment Services Act page.

---

資金決済法に基づく表示

2022/10/1 更新