[What is Rakuten Violation Point Reset? RMS Compliance Ironclad Rules to Prevent Mistakes Even for Beginners]
When operating a store on Rakuten Market, the "Violation Point System" is something you cannot avoid. What many store operators worry about most is probably the point: "When will the accumulated violation points be reset?" In this article, from the mechanism of Rakuten's violation point reset to the specific risks of accumulating points, and even the governance structure to "prevent violations" rather than just waiting for a reset, we thoroughly explain from an expert perspective.
Table of Contents (Click to expand/collapse)
1. Rakuten Violation Point Reset Cycle and Mechanism
In Rakuten Market's violation point system, the most important rule is that "violation points are accumulated over a single year from January 1st to December 31st every year." In other words, no matter how many points you have accumulated, they are uniformly reset to "0 points" simultaneously at 12:00 AM on January 1st every year.
However, what needs attention here is that what is reset is the "points" themselves, meaning past violation histories do not disappear. If you repeat the same violation in a short period, it is considered a "repeat offense," and the algorithm is designed so that the point increase per offense becomes larger. It is indispensable to regularly check the compliance panel on RMS (Rakuten Merchant Server) and to grasp the status of your own store.
2. Risks of Accumulating Points: Search Rankings and Fines
You cannot just leave violation points unaddressed until they reset. When points exceed a certain threshold, increasingly strict penalties are imposed in stages.
- Falling Search Rankings: Even with minor violations, if points accumulate, it results in unfavorable scoring in Rakuten SEO, making items less likely to appear at the top of search results.
- Incurring Fines: The system works so that massive fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of yen are triggered at milestones like 15 points, 25 points, and 35 points.
- Temporary Renovation Mode (Suspension of Operations): When points get high, the store is forced into "Renovation" status, completely losing sales opportunities.
In particular, "Prohibited Acts" and "Violations of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations" accumulate points so quickly that there are frequent cases where there isn't even time to wait for the reset period.
3. Store Governance Directed Toward Violation Point Reset
To maintain sound store operations, building a preventive governance structure rather than relying on resets leads to maximizing ROI (Return On Investment).
Specifically, building a double-check system during product registration and regularly reading together the "Terms and Guidelines" provided by Rakuten are effective. Because rules related to the "Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act" and "Dual Price Display" are updated frequently, utilizing external consulting services to catch up with the latest algorithms and regulatory trends also becomes a strategic option.
4. Data Analysis of Violation Point Trends
The following chart shows the risk phases of violation point accumulation in a general store. It is recommended to review operations before the points exceed 20 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q Q. If violation points are reset at the end of December, are the penalties also immediately lifted?
- A. The points become 0, but if the period for already imposed penalties such as "restriction on search rankings" crosses into the new year, the restrictions may continue until that period ends.
- Q Q. Which violation has the highest points?
- A. Copyright infringement, sale of counterfeit goods, and significant dual price displays instantly grant high points, leading directly to the risk of business suspension.
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Rakuten's violation point reset takes place on January 1st every year. However, it is dangerous to shrug off violations just because there is a reset. Dropping search rankings and fines due to point accumulation inflict massive damage on a store's cash flow and brand image. Routinely checking the compliance panel in RMS and building a sound operational structure is the only way to long-term success.
Published: 2026/3/24 / Author: RISA WATANABE
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References
- [1] Rakuten Market Operation Guidelines: Compliance Edition
- [2] Consumer Affairs Agency: Guidelines on Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations and Dual Price Displays