# Evidence register and release checklist

## Evidence boundaries

- `brief.json`: supplied synthetic product, operating and home-week figures. Used for specifications, constraints and arithmetic; no Japan operating results inferred.
- `market-evidence.md`: supplied synthetic inquiries, competitor profiles, payment/device assumptions and FX/cost assumptions. These are hypotheses, not research findings. Canada material is outside this Japan plan.
- Original Localization Planner references: workflow and checklist used; market and holiday starter tables were not treated as verified current evidence.

## Public reference register

| Reference | Supported use | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| [CAA vacuum-bottle quality labeling rules](https://www.caa.go.jp/policies/policy/representation/household_goods/law/law_07/item_015.html) | Classification-specific quality label review | That this mug is vacuum constructed or compliant |
| [MHLW commercial import procedure](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/shokuhin/yunyu_kanshi/kanshi/index_00004.html) | Import notification/conformity workstream for food-contact goods | Actual clearance or a complete component-specific test list |
| [CAA mail-order guidance](https://www.no-trouble.caa.go.jp/what/mailorder/) | Online seller disclosures and return-terms review | Approval of HarborMug's proposed return policy |
| [Shopify Japan payment methods](https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/payments/shopify-payments/supported-countries/japan/payment-methods) | Card/JCB limitations and application planning | US merchant eligibility for Japan services |
| [KOMOJU Shopify payment options](https://help.komoju.com/hc/en-us/articles/4747456302366--Shopify-Payment-Methods-Available-with-KOMOJU) | Candidate route for cards, Konbini and Rakuten Pay | Merchant approval, pricing or a completed integration |
| [Yamato delivery FAQ](https://faq.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/app/answers/detail/a_id/1633/) | Route-specific delivery estimation | Contract, rate or universal transit promise |
| [Cabinet Office holidays](https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html) | Official 2027 holidays and date rules | Commercial sale schedules or carrier opening hours |

## Release checklist

All entries below are pending; none were executed by writing the plan. Alex retains final release authority.

| Area | Evidence required | Responsible role |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothesis | Validate willingness to pay; code early search and inquiry evidence | Mia |
| Translation | Named native category editor, signed page/FAQ/checkout and warning review | Mia + editor |
| Images/specifications | Actual sample, measured orientation, confirmed components/color, approved crops | Mia + supplier |
| Claims | No unsupported certification, leak-proof or quantified retention claim | Editor + specialist |
| Labels | Recorded classification, material declarations, required tests, approved label/artwork | Alex + specialist |
| Import/packaging | Importer named, required notification/clearance and packaging obligations resolved | Alex + broker/specialist |
| Payments | All three methods approved; JPY/JCB eligibility; fees, deadlines, refunds and reconciliation tested | Alex + implementer |
| Checkout | Mobile/browser checks, full charge breakdown, Japanese disclosures, accurate order action | Mia + implementer |
| Production verification | Merchant-controlled live success/refund checks before sales release | Alex + implementer |
| Logistics | Contract, packed parcel quote, postcode transit table, tracking and failed-delivery process | Alex + fulfillment partner |
| Returns | Domestic address, freight payer, defect handling, refund route/time and approved policy placement | Mia + legal reviewer |
| Budget | All-in quotes within cap and contribution model passing gate | Alex/finance |
| Service | Japanese coverage, escalation process and published hours staffed | Mia |
| Calendar | Holiday closures confirmed; campaign creative prepared ahead; platform dates checked if used | Mia |
| Measurement | Paid/organic and method funnels, cost reconciliation and mature return cohorts reportable | Mia + implementer |
| Sign-off | Native, legal/compliance, finance and care sign-offs recorded; G0–G3 evidence complete | Alex |

## Calculation definitions

`baseline-calculations.csv` uses orders/sessions for conversion, gross/orders for AOV, refunds/gross for refund-value ratio, adspend/all orders for blended ad cost, and gross/adspend for gross ROAS. Refund value is not returned-order incidence. Paid attribution is unavailable in the supplied home data.

`pilot-budget.csv` converts each USD ceiling at JPY150 and sums to USD3,000 / JPY450,000. These are allocations, not vendor quotes.

`unit-economics.csv` calculates product receipts less product cost, shipping proxy, processor charge and a 5% refund-value reserve. Incremental unknown-cost scenarios are JPY0, 300, 600 and 900; target CAC is JPY750. Tax treatment and actual service quotes must replace assumptions before release. Shipping receipts are omitted conservatively. Fixed readiness expenses are outside per-order contribution, but inside the cash cap.