Japanese for Discussing Food Regulations: Laws, Permits, and Labels
Learn intermediate Japanese to talk about government food regulations: laws, permits, inspections, and labeling. Practice key terms and polite forms for conversations about food safety rules.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to discuss government regulations on food in Japanese. Unlike casual conversations about food trends, this topic requires specific vocabulary for laws, permits, inspections, and labeling. You will practice using polite forms and common patterns to ask and explain regulations. By the end, you will be able to talk about food safety laws, ask about permits, and understand labels. This skill is useful for work, study, or daily life in Japan, where food regulations are strictly enforced.
By the end, you can…
- name key terms for food regulations, such as 法律 (hōritsu), 許可 (kyoka), and 検査 (kensa).
- ask and answer questions about food safety laws and labeling requirements using polite Japanese.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
食品衛生法 (shokuhin eisei hō)
Food Sanitation Act
sho-ku-hin e-i-se-i hō
The main law regulating food safety in Japan. Use when referring to legal standards for food.
許可が必要です (kyoka ga hitsuyō desu)
A permit is required
kyo-ka ga hi-tsu-yo-o desu
Use to state that permission is necessary, e.g., for selling food.
検査を受けなければなりません (kensa o ukenakereba narimasen)
must undergo inspection
ken-sa o u-ke-na-ke-re-ba na-ri-ma-se-n
Formal expression for obligation. Use when explaining mandatory inspections.
表示義務 (hyōji gimu)
labeling obligation
hyo-o-ji gi-mu
Refers to the legal duty to display certain information on food products.
違反すると罰則があります (ihan suru to bassoku ga arimasu)
There are penalties for violations
i-ha-n su-ru to ba-s-so-ku ga a-ri-ma-su
Use to warn about legal consequences of breaking food regulations.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about regulations, use the pattern 〜によると (ni yoru to) meaning 'according to'. For example, 食品衛生法によると、許可が必要です (Shokuhin eisei hō ni yoru to, kyoka ga hitsuyō desu) 'According to the Food Sanitation Act, a permit is required.' Another pattern is 〜なければなりません (nakereba narimasen) for obligation: 検査を受けなければなりません (Kensa o ukenakereba narimasen) 'must undergo inspection.' These patterns help you cite laws and state requirements clearly.
When to use it
Use these patterns in formal conversations, such as when talking to a government official, a business partner, or in a report. For example, if you are opening a restaurant, you might say 飲食店を開くには、許可を取らなければなりません (Inshokuten o hiraku ni wa, kyoka o toranakereba narimasen) 'To open a restaurant, you must obtain a permit.' When discussing labeling, you can say 原材料を表示する義務があります (Genzairyō o hyōji suru gimu ga arimasu) 'There is an obligation to display ingredients.' Avoid these patterns in casual chats with friends; instead, use plain forms like 許可が要る (kyoka ga iru).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、食品を販売するには何が必要ですか。
Excuse me, what is required to sell food?Su-mi-ma-se-n, sho-ku-hin o ha-n-ba-i su-ru ni wa na-ni ga hi-tsu-yo-o desu ka.食品衛生法により、許可を取らなければなりません。
According to the Food Sanitation Act, you must obtain a permit.Sho-ku-hin e-i-se-i hō ni yo-ri, kyo-ka o to-ra-na-ke-re-ba na-ri-ma-se-n.検査も受けなければなりませんか。
Do I also have to undergo an inspection?Ke-n-sa mo u-ke-na-ke-re-ba na-ri-ma-se-n ka.はい、定期的に検査を受け、表示義務を守る必要があります。
Yes, you need to undergo regular inspections and comply with labeling obligations.Ha-i, te-i-ki-te-ki ni ke-n-sa o u-ke, hyo-o-ji gi-mu o ma-mo-ru hi-tsu-yo-o ga a-ri-ma-su.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, food regulations are taken seriously, and violations can lead to business suspension or fines. When discussing these topics, use polite language (keigo) with officials or in business settings. However, with colleagues or friends, you can use casual forms. Understanding the distinction shows respect and cultural awareness.
One thing to watch for
Using 規則 (kisoku) for 'law' when referring to government regulations.
Try this instead: Use 法律 (hōritsu) for laws passed by the Diet, and 規則 (kisoku) for rules or regulations set by organizations. For food safety, 食品衛生法 (Shokuhin eisei hō) is the correct term. Example: 食品衛生法は法律です (Shokuhin eisei hō wa hōritsu desu) 'The Food Sanitation Act is a law.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'According to the Food Sanitation Act, a permit is required' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
食品衛生法によると、許可が必要です。
This uses the pattern 〜によると for 'according to' and が必要です for 'is required'. Alternative: 食品衛生法により、許可が必要です。
2What is the Japanese term for 'labeling obligation'?
Show a sample answer
表示義務 (hyōji gimu)
表示義務 specifically refers to the legal duty to display information. Another term is ラベリング義務 (raberingu gimu), but 表示義務 is more common in legal contexts.
3Translate: 'There are penalties for violations.'
Show a sample answer
違反すると罰則があります。
This uses と for conditional 'if' and 罰則 for 'penalties'. You could also say 違反した場合、罰則が科されます (ihan shita baai, bassoku ga kasaremasu).
When discussing food regulations in Japanese, use specific legal terms like 食品衛生法 and 許可, and polite patterns like 〜によると and 〜なければなりません. Always consider the formality of the situation.
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