Service area: Our application support is only for businesses whose office is in Aichi Prefecture (Nagoya, Toyota, Okazaki, Toyohashi, Ichinomiya, Kasugai, etc.).
Kobutsusho License in Aichi
Secondhand Dealer License (古物商許可) — application support for foreign residents
All application documents are in Japanese, and the police station counter also works in Japanese. We write all the Japanese documents for you. You answer our questions and sign. We also check whether your residence status (visa) allows this business.
Police fee 19,000 yen included. No extra charges.
We work with you by email and phone.
Over 100 Kobutsusho applications handled. Approval rate 99%+.
Our office also handles immigration procedures.
Apply in English
Write to us in English or simple Japanese. We reply by email.
✉ Email us (English OK)📞 080-6909-3150 (Japanese)
Email: info@kobutsu-help.com / Phone: 9:00–21:00, every day (Japanese only)
Service area: Aichi Prefecture only
Do you need a Kobutsusho license?
In Japan, if you buy used goods and sell them as a business, you usually need a Kobutsusho license from the Prefectural Public Safety Commission. “Used goods” also include items that were sold once to a consumer, even if they were never used.
Typical businesses of our foreign clients:
- Used cars and car parts (including buying in Japan for export)
- Brand bags, watches and accessories
- Used clothes, electronics, bicycles, tools
- Recycle shops and online shops selling used items
Selling only your own personal belongings is not a secondhand dealer business.
Can foreigners get the license?
Yes. Nationality is not a condition of the license. However, your residence status decides whether you may run the business. Getting the license and being allowed to work in this business under your visa are two different questions.
| Residence status | Running a secondhand business |
|---|---|
| Permanent Resident Spouse or Child of Japanese National Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident Long-Term Resident |
No activity restrictions under the Immigration Control Act. You can run the business like a Japanese national. |
| Business Manager | This is the residence status for running and managing a business in Japan. |
| Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services, Student, Dependent, Specified Skilled Worker, and others | These statuses allow only certain activities. Running your own business may be outside your status. Please tell us your status first. We check it before we start. |
Documents (Aichi Prefectural Police)
The Aichi Prefectural Police list the following for an application by an individual:
- Application form (in Japanese)
- Personal history for the last 5 years
- Certificate of residence (juminhyo) showing your nationality
- Written oath that you do not fall under the disqualification grounds — the police provide versions in English, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese
- Documents about the website URL, if you sell on your own website
For a company, the articles of incorporation, the certificate of registered matters, and documents for each officer are also needed. Each business office needs one manager who can actually work at that office. Documents must be issued within 3 months before the application.
Application fee: 19,000 yen (not refunded even if the application is rejected or withdrawn).
The license is issued at the police station about 40 days after the application.
Our plans and fees
| Plan | What we do | Individual | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document Preparation | We prepare all documents. You submit them to the police station. | 49,800 yen Total 68,800 yen |
59,800 yen Total 78,800 yen |
| Full Service | We prepare all documents and submit them to the police station for you. Recommended if Japanese at the counter is difficult. | 59,800 yen Total 78,800 yen |
69,800 yen Total 88,800 yen |
Tax included. “Total” includes the police fee of 19,000 yen. Each additional company officer: +5,000 yen. Payment in advance. We do not offer refunds or free re-application if the license is not granted.
How it works
- Email us with the questions in the template (the email button fills it in).
- We reply with the plan, price and next steps.
- Payment (in advance).
- You answer our questions. We prepare the Japanese documents. You check and sign.
- Submission to the police station — by you (Document Preparation) or by us (Full Service).
- License issued at the police station, about 40 days later.
Start your application
Write to us in English or simple Japanese. We reply by email.
✉ Email us (English OK)📞 080-6909-3150 (Japanese)
Email: info@kobutsu-help.com / Phone: 9:00–21:00, every day (Japanese only)
Service area: Aichi Prefecture only
About our office
Tsukada Takashi Administrative Scrivener Office (行政書士塚田貴士事務所)
Administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi): Takashi Tsukada
1020 Urushiyama, Midori-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 458-0832
Email: info@kobutsu-help.com / Phone (Japanese): 080-6909-3150
日本語のページ：外国人の古物商許可申請 ／ 料金・お申し込み
Source for documents, fee and timing: Aichi Prefectural Police, “古物商許可申請” page. This page gives general information and does not decide your individual case.