Security Guard Services in Japan

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in Japan

In Japan, the private security industry is regulated by the Security Business Act (Keibigyo-ho, Act No. 117 of 1972). To operate a security business, a company must obtain certification from the Prefectural Public Safety Commission with jurisdiction over the location of its main business office, and the certification is valid for five years.

Regulator: Prefectural Public Safety Commissions (Todofuken Koan Iinkai), one in each prefecture. They operate under rules set by the National Public Safety Commission. laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/347AC0000000117

Requirements

• At least 18 years old (Art. 14)
• Not subject to any of the disqualifying grounds in Art. 3, items 1 to 7. These include persons in bankruptcy who have not had their rights restored, persons who were sentenced to a criminal penalty or fined for a violation of this Act within the past five years, persons who committed a serious violation within the past five years, persons who received an order relating to organized crime groups within the past three years, and persons addicted to alcohol or drugs (Art. 14)
• Employers must provide training to security guards as set by Cabinet Office Ordinance, and must give them guidance and supervision (Art. 21)
• The Public Safety Commission conducts optional proficiency tests for each category of security work. The tests include a written exam and a practical exam, and those who pass receive a certificate of qualification for that category (Art. 23)

Application Steps

1. Find a security company certified by the Public Safety Commission. Security guards work as employees of a certified security business operator (Art. 2)
2. Confirm the minimum age of 18 and the absence of any disqualifying grounds set out in the Act
3. Complete the training provided by the employer under Art. 21
4. Where needed, take the Public Safety Commission proficiency test for the category of security work to be performed

Agency Licensing

Under Art. 4 of the Security Business Act, anyone who intends to operate a security business must obtain certification from the Prefectural Public Safety Commission with jurisdiction over the location of its main business office. The application lists the business offices, the categories of security work handled, the company’s directors, and the chief security guard instructor for each business office and each category of security work (Art. 5). Art. 3 sets out the disqualifying grounds, including persons in bankruptcy who have not had their rights restored, persons for whom five years have not passed since completing certain sentences, organized crime group members subject to orders, and persons addicted to alcohol or drugs. Security guard uniforms must be clearly distinguishable from those of police officers and similar officials, and must be reported to the Public Safety Commission (Art. 16). The Public Safety Commission may restrict or prohibit the protective equipment carried by security guards (Art. 17). Operating a machine security business requires a separate notification (Art. 40).

Company certification is valid for five years and must be renewed with the Public Safety Commission with jurisdiction over the main business office before it expires (Art. 5, Art. 7). Renewal rules for individuals have not been verified.

Sources

• Security Business Act (Keibigyo-ho), Act No. 117 of 1972: full text on e-Gov Laws (the official Japanese government law database)
• Security Business Act: full text through the e-Gov Laws API (the official machine-readable copy used for this check)

Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the official regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.