Partial Amendment to Money Lending Act Enforcement Regulation

Regulations under the Money Lending Business Act aim, among other things, to protect borrowers, including by preventing multiple indebtedness. However, when disaster victims of the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake seek loans from money lenders that do not exceed their repayment capacity, procedures prescribed by law, such as the inability to prepare certain documents, may create obstacles to obtaining funds. This amendment was made in light of these circumstances.

The amendment seeks to eliminate the problem of disaster victims being unable to obtain funds they would otherwise be able to borrow because they cannot prepare certain documents or for similar reasons. It applies to disaster victims who seek loans from money lenders that do not exceed their repayment capacity.

On August 6, 2026, the Cabinet Office Ordinance Amending Part of the Enforcement Regulation for the Money Lending Business Act was promulgated and entered into force. Specifically, the amendment revises part of the Enforcement Regulation for the Money Lending Business Act to remove the risk that disaster victims of the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake may be unable to borrow funds because legal procedures and other requirements become an issue when they apply for loans. For details, readers are directed to the Financial Services Agency's guidance, "Regarding the Cabinet Office Ordinance Amending Part of the Enforcement Regulation for the Money Lending Business Act."