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Frequently Asked Questions from Foreign Residents

FAQ on Food Business Permit

Q1 I would like to open a Brazilian restaurant. Who should I consult with?
Q2 Do I have to obtain a business permit to sell lunch boxes?
Q3 Are there any requirements for a restaurant facility?
Q4 Do I have to hold a cooking license in order to open a restaurant?
Q5 Tell me more about the Shokuhin Eisei Sekinin-sha (Food Hygiene Manager).
Q6 What is examined by Hoken-jo (Public Health Center) staff when I apply for a business permit?
Q7 Are there any requirements for selling fast food inside a vehicle?
Q8 Can I sell sandwiches in my car?
Q9 Can I stop my vehicle anywhere to sell food and drinks?
Q10 How long does it take to actually receive the food business permit after applying?
Q11 I plan to open an establishment in another Prefecture. Are food business permits that have been issued in Gifu Prefecture valid in other prefectures?
Q12 I would like to relocate my restaurant. Is the food business permit I own now valid?
Q13 I took over a facility that already has a food business permit. Can I do business using the former owner's permit?
Q14 How long is the food business permit valid?
Q15 How much is the processing fee to apply for a food business permit when opening a restaurant?
Q16 What should I do with the Eigyo Kyoka-sho (Business Permit Certificate) when I close my restaurant business?

 

 

Q1：

I would like to open a Brazilian restaurant. Who should I consult with?
A1：

You are required to obtain an Eigyo Kyoka (Business Permit), as stipulated in the Food Sanitation Act, in order to open a restaurant. Consult with the Hoken-jo (Public Health Center) in the area of your proposed restaurant.
For example: If you plan to open a restaurant in Ogaki City, consult with the Seikatsu-Eisei-ka (Public Hygiene Division) at Seino Hoken-jo (Seino Public Health Center).

 

Public Health Center Phone Number Jurisdiction
Public Hygiene Division Gifu Public Health Center 058-380-3003 Hashima, Kakamigahara, and Hashima-gun
Public Hygiene Division Gifu Public Health Center
Motosu Yamagata Branch		 058-264-1111(switchboard) Mizuho, Yamagata, Motosu, and Motosu-gun
Public Hygiene Division Seino Public Health Center 0584-73-1111(switchboard) Ogaki, Kaizu, Yoro-gun, Fuwa-gun, and Anpachi-gun
Public Hygiene Division Seino Public Health Center Ibi Branch 0585-23-1111(switchboard) Ibi-gun
Public Hygiene Division Seki Public Health Center 0575-33-4011(switchboard) Seki and Mino
Public Hygiene Division Seki Public Health Center Gujo Branch 0575-67-1111(switchboard) Gujo
Public Hygiene Division Chuno Public Health Center 0574-25-3111(switchboard) Minokamo, Kani, Kamo-gun,
and Kani-gun
Public Hygiene Division Tono Public Health Center 0572-23-1111(switchboard) Tajimi, Mizunami, and Toki
Public Hygiene Division Ena Public Health Center 0573-26-1111(switchboard) Nakatsugawa and Ena
Public Hygiene Division Hida Public Health Center 0577-33-1111(switchboard) Takayama, Hida and Ono-gun
Public Hygiene Division Hida Public Health Cente Gero Branch 0576-52-3111(switchboard) Gero
Shokuhin-Eisei-ka (Food Hygiene Division) Gifu City Public Health Center 058-252-7194 Gifu
Q2：

Do I have to obtain a business permit to sell lunch boxes?
A2：

Yes. In addition, other businesses, such as confectionaries and meat sellers are required to hold a business permit. If you plan to make or sell foodstuffs, please consult with one of the Hoken-jo (Public Health Centers) listed above.
Q3：

Are there any requirements for a restaurant facility?
A3： There are certain requirements for the structure and equipment of restaurant facilities.
Bring a floor plan of your proposed facility to the Hoken-jo (Public Health Center). The floor plan must include space for equipment such as a sink, hand washing equipment, gas cooking stove, water heater, refrigerator, and entryways. You will be informed in detail about whether or not your proposed facility satisfies the requirements.
Q4：

Do I have to hold a cooking license in order to open a restaurant?
A4：

All restaurants must have a Shokuhin Eisei Sekinin-sha (Food Hygiene Manager). If you hold a cooking license issued in Japan, you are qualified to be a Food Hygiene Manager. If you do not hold a cooking license, you may attend a Shokuhin Eisei Sekinin-sha Yosei Koshu-kai (Food Hygiene Manager Training Seminar) to be certified as a Food Hygiene Manager.
Q5：

Tell me more about the Shokuhin Eisei Sekinin-sha (Food Hygiene Manager).
A5：

The Food Hygiene Manager is responsible for hygiene management in the kitchen and hygiene education for employees. The Food Hygiene Manager is required to take the Shokuhin Eisei Sekinin-sha Koshu-kai (Food Hygiene Manager Seminar) once a year.
Q6：

What is examined by Hoken-jo (Public Health Center) staff when I apply for a business permit?
A6：

Hoken-jo (Public Health Center) staff will examine the actual facility to be opened to see whether or not it satisfies the facility requirements as described on the floor plan, which was submitted as an application document. Facilities that do not satisfy the requirements cannot obtain a business permit.
Q7：

Are there any requirements for selling fast food inside a vehicle?
A7：

There are certain requirements, including those requirements pertaining to refrigeration equipment, for selling food and drinks inside a vehicle. Visit the Hoken-jo (Public Health Center) with the floor plan of the vehicle to get detailed information.
Q8：

Can I sell sandwiches in my car?
A8：

Yes, on the condition that the car has refrigeration equipment. However, the requirements are different for vehicles and fixed establishments. With regard to making sandwiches inside a vehicle, you are not allowed to make foodstuffs that do not undergo a final heating process. Ask for more information on menu and processing regulations.
Q9：

Can I stop my vehicle anywhere to sell food and drinks?
A9：

No. You need to obtain the land owner's approval to sell products. In principle, selling products on general roads is not allowed.
Q10：

How long does it take to actually receive the food business permit after applying?
A10：

It takes about two weeks if there are no particular problems.
Q11：

I plan to open an establishment in another Prefecture. Are food business permits that have been issued in Gifu Prefecture valid in other prefectures?
A11：

The food business permit is valid for the facility for which you have applied. If you would like to do business at an establishment located in another Prefecture, you are required to obtain a permit issued by that Prefecture's Hoken-jo (Public Health Center).
Q12：

I would like to relocate my restaurant. Is the food business permit I own now valid?
A12：

No. The food business permit is only valid for the current facility. You are required to obtain a business permit for the relocated restaurant facility. In addition, you are required to submit an abolishment of the permit for the former facility.
Q13：

I took over a facility that already has a food business permit. Can I do business using the former owner's permit?
A13：

Using the former owner's permit is not allowed. You must obtain a business permit in your own name. In addition, the former owner should go through the necessary procedures to abolish the former permit.
Q14：

How long is the food business permit valid?
A14：

For five years.
Q15：

How much is the processing fee to apply for a food business permit when opening a restaurant?
A15：

The application fee for running a restaurant is 16,000 yen. The processing fee varies according to business type. Contact the Hoken-jo (Public Health Center) beforehand.
Q16：

What should I do with the Eigyo Kyoka-sho (Business Permit Certificate) when I close my restaurant business?
A16：

When you close a business, you are required to go through abolishment procedures. Be sure to report your business's closure at the Hoken-jo (Public Health Center). Your food Eigyo Kyoka-sho (Business Permit Certificate) must then be returned.