Japan
Japan leads the way in Asia and is one of the most developed markets globally, second only to the US, with consumers known to be highly conscious of quality, product value, and the brands they buy and use.
For legal purposes, cosmetic products are divided into quasi-drugs and cosmetics, which are mainly regulated by the Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW).
Cosmetics are classified into ‘perfume and eau de cologne’, ‘make-up cosmetics’, ‘skin care cosmetics’, ‘hair care products’, and ‘special-purpose cosmetics’.
A ‘Quasi-drug’ is defined as an item for the purpose of: preventing nausea and other discomfort; preventing heat rash, soreness, etc.; encouraging hair growth or removing hair; or exterminating and preventing lice, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, etc.
For the manufacturing and selling of cosmetics that do not require approval (i.e. all ingredients are labeled), a manufacturing and sales notification for each item must be submitted beforehand to the local authorities.