A person who intends to perform dismantling (parts removal) such as auto parts removal from an end-of-life vehicle must obtain, from the Environment Department of his/her prefecture or city, a license as a dismantle operator under the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles.
A penalty of imprisonment up to one year or a fine of up to 500,000 yen will be imposed for unlicensed business operations when handling end-of-life vehicles or dismantled vehicles (vehicle carcasses) without having a license as a dismantling operator under the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicle. * Stringent measures have already been taken against many business operators throughout the country, such as unlicensed business operations, for violation of the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicle.
Additionally, the following obligations are imposed upon dismantling operators when end-of-life vehicles are dismantled:
• The end-of-life vehicle must be collected from a collection operator or a fluorocarbon recovery operator.
• The recycling* of end-of-life vehicles must include the recovery and recycling of batteries, tires, and waste oil, etc., as well as other useful items and materials.
* Recycling: Making removed items usable as part of another product. For combustible items, recycling means to make the item available for thermal utilization.
• Recovering air bags and delivering them to automobile manufacturers, etc.
Ministry of Environment, Government of Japan