Japan’s NPA proposes lower pachinko machine certification fees
Regulation2 min read
Japan’s National Police Agency has opened a consultation on reducing the standard certification fee for pachinko and pachislot machines from already-approved models. The proposed fee would fall from 4,340 yen to 3,030 yen, with the change planned for 1 April 2027. The consultation closes on 5 December 2026.
Japan’s National Police Agency has opened a consultation on a proposal to reduce the standard certification fee for pachinko and pachislot machines belonging to previously approved models from JPY4,340 to JPY3,030. The reduction would save JPY1,310, or 30.2%.
Additional machines of the same model submitted together for certification in the same prefecture would cost JPY30 each instead of JPY40. A ten-machine application in the affected category would have a standard total of JPY3,300 instead of JPY4,700, including the initial fee and charges for the other nine units.
The proposal covers authorisations for changes involving the addition or replacement of machines. For the ordinary category affected, which includes machines not yet certified, the charge would fall from JPY5,200 plus JPY40 per machine to JPY3,900 plus JPY30 per machine. Specific formulas would remain in place for certain categories of uncertified machines.
The amounts are national standard reference rates, while individual prefectures set the fees charged to operators under the system of prefectural public safety commissions.
Tests on new models carry separate charges: certification body Hotsukyo lists fees of JPY1,135,000 to JPY1,442,000 for pachinko machines with microprocessors, depending on the technical category. The fee for pachislot models with microprocessors is JPY1,628,000. Model testing is separate from certification of individual machines and other administrative requirements.
The revision follows a reorganisation of checks at venues where machine characteristics are inspected. The agency said the changes would reduce staffing and other operating costs, allowing savings to be passed on through administrative fees.
The change is expected to take effect on 1 April 2027. The consultation opened on the government’s e-Gov portal on 6 November and closes on 5 December 2026. Interested parties may submit comments before the measure is adopted.