Japan RuleWatch
Server Details
Read-only MCP server for searching Japanese regulatory updates and generating evidence packs for AI agents.
- Status
- Healthy
- Uptime
- 100.0% over 22 days
- Last Tested
- Transport
- Streamable HTTP · MCP 2025-11-25
- URL
TDQS
Scored across 7 tools
Several tools share similar naming patterns (e.g., 'get_entry_pack' vs 'get_tourism_evidence_pack' and 'search_entry_cases'), and the term 'entry' is used in two different contexts (Iya soba vs. Japan tourism). Descriptions clarify purposes, but the potential for confusion remains moderate.
All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern with snake_case (e.g., get_commercial_terms, search_rules). No deviations or mixed conventions.
7 tools is a reasonable number for the server's scope, covering search and evidence retrieval for two main domains. Slightly heavy due to the mix of unrelated areas (commercial terms, tourism, mail-order rules), but not excessive.
The set provides search and evidence retrieval for both mail-order rules and tourism entry, plus a commercial terms lookup. Minor gaps exist, such as no direct tool to list all supported products or flow IDs, but core workflows are covered.
Available Tools
7 toolsget_commercial_termsBInspect
Free: return the current business-only commercial terms profile for a supported paid product. A status other than ready means Mainnet purchase is unavailable.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| product_id | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden, and it does add real semantics: the call is free, the terms are business-only, and a status other than 'ready' means Mainnet purchase is unavailable. It stops short of stating permission/rate-limit behavior or what a successful response contains.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two short sentences, cost qualifier front-loaded, no wasted words. Efficient even if slightly telegraphic.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
No output schema and no annotations, so the description must do more, and it omits the shape of the returned terms profile and any error/empty conditions. The status-passage does give the agent enough to interpret the key result field.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 0% for the single product_id parameter. The description only implies it must reference a 'supported paid product'; it adds no format, length, or source-of-valid-IDs detail to compensate for the undocumented schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
States a specific verb (return) and resource (business-only commercial terms profile), scoped to a 'supported paid product'. Clear enough to distinguish from the evidence-pack/preflight siblings, though it never explicitly contrasts them.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The 'Free:' prefix tells the agent the call has no cost, which is mild usage signal, but there is no when-to-use guidance, no prerequisites (auth, eligibility), and no mention of when another sibling would be the better choice.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_entry_packBInspect
Paid: return the fixed Iya soba entry-preparation pack with sources, contacts, consultation text, unknowns, and next actions. It gives no customer-specific legal verdict. Japan Rule is not a government service.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| pack_id | Yes | ||
| language | Yes | ||
| buyer_country_code | No | ||
| buyer_business_name | No | ||
| accepted_terms_sha256 | No | ||
| accepted_terms_version | No | ||
| business_purchase_confirmed | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description must carry the behavioral burden. It usefully discloses that this is a paid, fixed (non-customer-specific) pack that yields no legal verdict and that 'Japan Rule is not a government service' — important scope disclaimers. However, it omits how the pack_id is obtained, what authentication/entitlement is required, and any rate or terms gating despite the accepted_terms parameters.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three tight sentences with the core output contents front-loaded and disclaimers trailing. No filler, though the phrasing is somewhat idiosyncratic and the disclaimer sentences could be consolidated.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Return contents and scope disclaimers are covered, which is valuable since there is no output schema, but with 7 undocumented parameters, no annotations, and no usage routing, the definition leaves meaningful gaps for an agent deciding whether and how to call it.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 0% across 7 parameters, so the description should compensate but does not. Neither the required pack_id and language nor the optional accepted_terms_sha256, accepted_terms_version, or business_purchase_confirmed are explained; only 'Paid' loosely gestures at the purchase flag.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description names a specific verb (return) and resource (the fixed Iya soba entry-preparation pack) and enumerates its contents: sources, contacts, consultation text, unknowns, and next actions. This is far more concrete than a generic pack, though it never contrasts itself against close siblings like get_evidence_pack or get_tourism_evidence_pack.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
There is no explicit when-to-use guidance. The 'Paid:' prefix hints at a cost gate, but nothing tells the agent when this pack is the right choice versus search_entry_cases, search_rules, or the other pack tools.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_evidence_packAInspect
Return a concise evidence pack for one rule ID returned by search_rules. Includes official URLs, scope limits, and no legal-compliance verdict.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | Yes | Exact rule ID returned by search_rules |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the behavioral burden and does so well: it states the output's scope (concise pack), content (official URLs, scope limits), and an explicit limitation (no legal-compliance verdict). Absent side effects are not a concern for a retrieval tool, though read-only behavior is not named.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two short sentences front-load the primary action and scope, then append the content and the critical limitation. Every clause earns its place with no filler.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a one-parameter retrieval tool with no output schema, the description gives enough context about what the result contains and what it deliberately omits. It is slightly light on the exact shape of the returned evidence pack, but this is a minor gap.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The input schema already documents the only parameter as 'Exact rule ID returned by search_rules', and the description repeats that same relationship without adding format, type, or usage nuance. With 100% schema coverage, the baseline of 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description identifies a specific action (Return), a specific resource (a concise evidence pack), and a precise input scope (one rule ID returned by search_rules). It also states what the pack includes, making the tool distinguishable from search_rules.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description clearly situates the tool after search_rules by requiring a rule ID returned by that sibling, so an agent knows when to call it. It lacks an explicit 'do not use when...' statement, but with only one sibling the routing is unambiguous.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_tourism_evidence_packCInspect
Paid: return official Japanese primary-source URLs, evidence locations, checked dates, source versions, general requirements, traveler-screen checks, and re-check triggers for a complete supported A/B/C flow. This is informational evidence, not a legal verdict.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| collectsTravelPayment | No | ||
| actsAsContractingParty | No | ||
| handlesCancellationOrRefund | No | ||
| acceptsReservationOnPlatform | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It does disclose that the tool is informational evidence and 'not a legal verdict,' which is useful framing, and it enumerates the categories of returned data. However, it does not mention side effects, authentication needs, data freshness limitations, or any behavior beyond returning a list.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is efficient, using two sentences to cover output scope and an important legal disclaimer. The first sentence is dense but packs meaningful detail. No filler or redundant phrasing is present.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool has no annotations, no output schema, and minimally documented boolean parameters, the description leaves significant gaps: input semantics, supported parameter combinations, and what the response structure looks like. It does explain the output categories at a high level, but an agent would struggle to know which parameter values to pass for a given scenario.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The input schema has 4 boolean parameters with 0% description coverage, and the tool description never mentions them. It does not explain how collectsTravelPayment, actsAsContractingParty, handlesCancellationOrRefund, or acceptsReservationOnPlatform influence the A/B/C flow or the returned evidence pack. The description completely fails to compensate for the schema's lack of parameter documentation.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states a specific verb ('return') and a well-defined resource: official Japanese primary-source URLs, evidence locations, checked dates, source versions, requirements, traveler-screen checks, and re-check triggers. It is easy to tell what output this tool produces. It does not explicitly distinguish itself from the sibling get_tourism_preflight, though the mention of a 'complete supported A/B/C flow' hints at a broader scope.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives no explicit guidance about when to use this tool versus get_tourism_preflight or search_rules. The 'Paid:' prefix signals a commercial condition, but there is no stated context, prerequisite, or exclusion. Usage must be inferred from the listed output contents rather than explained.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_tourism_preflightBInspect
Free: classify a Japan-bound hotel service flow into the supported A/B/C model, list missing facts, and flag manual review. It does not return primary-source evidence.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| collectsTravelPayment | No | ||
| actsAsContractingParty | No | ||
| handlesCancellationOrRefund | No | ||
| acceptsReservationOnPlatform | No |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden and does disclose several behaviors: it's free, it classifies into an A/B/C model, lists missing facts, flags manual review, and explicitly does not return primary-source evidence. However, there is no mention of output shape, error behavior, or how the input booleans drive the classification.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two clean sentences with the core action front-loaded and a clarifying negative in the second sentence. The leading 'Free:' is slight noise, but overall every clause earns its place.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a tool with four inputs, no output schema, and no annotations, the description omits the definition of the A/B/C model, the input-to-classification mapping, and the returned shape of the missing-facts and manual-review results. An agent can call it but cannot accurately predict its output.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate for the four boolean parameters, but it never mentions them or explains how they map into the A/B/C decision. The parameter names are self-descriptive, but nothing ties the inputs to the classification output.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses specific verbs (classify, list, flag) against a named resource (Japan-bound hotel service flow) and states the output kinds (A/B/C classification, missing facts, manual-review flags). The explicit negative — 'does not return primary-source evidence' — further delineates what the tool is for.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description offers no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, no when-not-to-use conditions, and no prerequisites. 'Free:' hints at a cost comparison but never states a selection context, leaving the agent to infer suitability.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_entry_casesAInspect
Free: search the fixed Japan tourism entry-case catalog by region, activity, and language. Returns a model-case preview, key decision themes and what the paid preparation pack adds. It does not include source locations, contact routes, inquiry text or an action plan. Japan Rule is a private commercial service, not a government service.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| activity | Yes | ||
| language | Yes | ||
| region_id | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden and does well: it discloses the return shape (model-case preview, decision themes, paid-pack delta), enumerates what is deliberately not returned, and flags the commercial non-government nature of the service. It omits auth/pricing/rate-limit or pagination behavior, which would complete the picture.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three tight sentences, front-loaded with the verb, resource and filter axes, followed by a returns summary and a caveats list. Every sentence earns its place with no redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
No output schema or annotations exist, and the description steps in to describe returns, exclusions and the commercial disclosure, which is most of what an agent needs. The remaining gap is unknown valid values for the three required filters, particularly region_id and activity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 0% with three required params, and the description compensates by naming the filter axes (region, activity, language). However, it gives no valid-value guidance for region_id, activity, or language, and no enums exist in the schema, so an agent still cannot construct valid inputs with confidence.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
States a specific verb (search) and a precisely scoped resource (the fixed Japan tourism entry-case catalog), plus the three filter dimensions. The scope wording distinguishes it from the rule-oriented and pack-oriented siblings without needing to name them.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The 'Free:' prefix, the reference to 'what the paid preparation pack adds', and the explicit exclusion list tell the agent when this free preview is appropriate and when a paid pack is needed. It stops short of naming a specific sibling tool (e.g. get_entry_pack) as the alternative, leaving that inference to the agent.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_rulesAInspect
Search a small curated index of official Japanese sources about mail-order sales advertising. Use this before get_evidence_pack. Results are evidence pointers, not legal conclusions.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | ||
| query | Yes | Japanese or English search terms, maximum 200 characters |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the behavioral transparency burden and does so well: it discloses the index is 'small' and 'curated,' restricts sources to 'official Japanese sources,' and warns that results are 'evidence pointers, not legal conclusions.' It does not describe exact result formatting, but covers the key behavioral expectations for a search tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is three short sentences with every sentence earning its place: what it searches, when to use it, and how to interpret results. It is front-loaded with the core purpose.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple two-parameter search tool with no output schema, the description is complete enough: it states the domain, scope, usage order, and the nature of the results. The query parameter is documented in the schema, and the 'evidence pointers' statement gives the agent a clear expectation of the return value.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 50%, with the query parameter already documented as 'Japanese or English search terms, maximum 200 characters.' The limit parameter has no description but its default, minimum, and maximum are clear from the schema. The tool description adds little parameter-specific meaning beyond the structured schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description names a specific verb and resource: 'Search a small curated index of official Japanese sources about mail-order sales advertising.' It also distinguishes itself from the sibling by stating it is a precursor to get_evidence_pack and that results are evidence pointers, not legal conclusions.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives explicit sequencing guidance: 'Use this before get_evidence_pack.' This tells the agent when to invoke this tool relative to the only sibling, and clarifies that the output is meant as input evidence for later steps.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
3 tool updates
- Added
get_commercial_terms - Added
get_entry_pack - Added
search_entry_cases
2 tool updates
- Added
get_tourism_evidence_pack - Added
get_tourism_preflight
2 tool updates
- First observed
get_evidence_pack - First observed
search_rules
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