Outline of Proposals and Suggestions by the Consumer Commission

As of March 2022
(Provisional Translation)

Proposals (22 issues) / Suggestions (18 issues) / Opinions etc.(103 issues) / Reports(in response to inquiries by the Prime Minister, etc. based on the provisions of Paragraph 2 (2) of Article 6, Act for the Establishment of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Consumer Commission) (6 issue)

1. Proposals

No Proposals Outline of Proposals
22 "Proposals on the Use of Electromagnetic Means of Provision of Contractual Documents, etc. under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions and the Act on Deposit Transactions"
(February 4, 2021)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
  1. In relation to the provision of contractual documents, etc., by electromagnetic means, the Consumer Affairs Agency should, from the aspect of maintaining the functions of contractual documents, etc., fully consider the points set out below, including considering such details as their modalities, by reference to the opinions of parties involved in consumer advice provision and take necessary measures with consideration given to the following factors: the contents of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions and the Act on Deposit Transactions; the characteristics of the regulations that these Acts offer; the contractual nature and actual conditions of each transaction type; the significance of issuing contractual documents, etc.; and the actual circumstances of each consumer problem.
    (1) Substantiation of consumer consent acquisition
    A. Take steps to ensure that consumers’ consent is not lightly acquired since their consent needs to be explicit on the basis of their true intentions.
    B. Take measures to ensure that sufficient information on the effect of giving consent and other relevant details is provided to consumers prior to giving consent, and that consumers give consent with an understanding of the effect of giving consent and other relevant details.
    (2) Specific method of electromagnetic provision
    Ensure that the contents of each contractual document, etc., are accessible in a form maintaining their browsability and easy for consumers to retain such contents, in a manner similar to physical documents as much as possible, so as to clarify the importance of such contents for consumers.
    (3) Clarification of the starting point of a cooling-off period, and the burden of proof in relation to consent acquisition
    A. Clarify the starting point of the cooling-off period in the case where a contractual document or other similar document is electromagnetically provided.
    B. Clarify the fact that the burden of proof in relation to whether the valid consent of a consumer has been obtained is on the business operator.
    (4) Understanding and consideration of the actual situation after the enforcement of the Acts
    Understand the actual situation surrounding consumer transactions and the actual operational situation of laws, regulations, etc., in connection with electromagnetic provision, ensure prompt and strict law enforcement against business operators that have violated relevant legislation, verify the effectiveness of the measures under (1) through (3) above in relation to the manner of electromagnetic provision on the basis of the above-mentioned actual situations and law enforcement, and consider and review as necessary the manner of such provision.
  2. It is necessary for the Consumer Affairs Agency to make the following efforts from the aspect of protecting consumers unfamiliar with digital tools, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, and young people, etc., who are prone to be involved in problems despite their familiarity with digital tools from falling victim, preventing the spread of harm, and connecting digitalization with consumer protection even more.
    (1) Consumer protection that utilizes digital technology
    A. Take measures to enable consumers’ cooling-off notices to be made electromagnetically.
    B. Promote efforts for consumer protection that utilizes digital technology.
    (2) Further enrichment and enhancement of consumer education with the aim of improving the digital literacy of consumers
    (3) Promotion of the digitalization of consumer administration, including the digitalization of the consumer advice system
21 "Proposals Concerning Consumer Problems Related to the So-Called ‘Sale-To-Deposit Scheme’"
(August 30, 2019)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
・Chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission
  1. In light of the fact that serious harm to consumers has occurred in deposit transactions that start with the sale of goods, etc., the Consumer Affairs Agency should consider how the legal systems associated with such transactions and similar business methods should be and the modality of law enforcement, which should also cover the enhancement of the existing systems.
  2. The National Police Agency should continue to promote the active crackdown of malicious and punishable "sale-to-deposit scheme" cases with the state of measures taken on the basis of 1. above taken into consideration. In so doing, the National Police Agency and the Consumer Affairs Agency should make efforts to strengthen their mutual cooperation and, at the same time, recommend further enhancement in the cooperation between each prefectural police force and the prefecture’s consumer-related administrative divisions.
  3. In cooperation with the National Police Agency, the National Consumer Affairs Center, and other relevant organizations, the Consumer Affairs Agency should provide information on the mechanism of the sale-to-deposit scheme and its intrinsic risks, on how malicious business operators engaged in the scheme solicit customers, and other relevant details. Furthermore, the Consumer Affairs Agency should actively raise the awareness of consumers, for example, through provision of consumer education.
20 "Proposals on Consumer Problems Associated With Elderly Support Services Such as Personal Guarantee"
(January 31, 2017)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  1. Efforts to protect consumers in relation to elderly support services such as personal guarantee
    (i) In order to prevent harm to consumers caused by elderly support services such as personal guarantee and assistance in administrative affairs after death, the Consumer Affairs Agency should make necessary adjustments with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and other relevant administrative agencies.
    (ii) In light of the fact that consumer problems have arisen in connection with elderly support services such as personal guarantee, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare should, in cooperation with relevant administrative agencies, ascertain the actual situation surrounding such services by, for example, hearing from business operators offering such services.
    (iii) On the basis of (ii) above, necessary measures should be taken to ensure that consumers can use elderly support services such as personal guarantee with peace of mind.
  2. Appropriate handling of personal guarantors, etc., for admission to hospitals, care facilities, etc.
    (1) Familiarize hospitals and long-term care insurance facilities as well as prefectural governments, etc., with supervisory and instructing authority over hospitals and long-term care insurance facilities with the fact that the absence of any personal guarantor, etc., is not a legitimate reason for rejecting admission to a hospital/long-term care insurance facility; and take measures to ensure that hospitals and long-term care insurance facilities will not refuse admission or engage in similar actions solely for the reason that there is no personal guarantor, etc.
    (2) Understand the actual situation, such as the roles that hospitals, care facilities, etc., would like personal guarantors, etc., to play; on the basis of such understanding, indicate, as necessary to hospitals, long-term care insurance facilities, prefectural governments, etc., the necessity of such requested roles and the existing systems and services that can accommodate themselves to such roles; and consider necessary actions to take in cases where there is no existing system or service that can accommodate itself to such requested roles.
  3. Actively provide information that is regarded as useful for consumers in selecting elderly support business services such as personal guarantee, in order to enable them to use such services with peace of mind.
19 "Proposals on Measures to Realize the Appropriate Labeling and Advertisement of Health Foods and on the Review of the System of Foods for Specified Health Uses and Its Operation"
(April 12, 2016)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
  1. Matters for which prompt responses are demanded
    (1) Strengthening of efforts to make labelling and advertising more appropriate
    • Revisions in connection with the Handling of and Guidelines for Examination, etc., of Foods for Specified Health Uses
    • Dissemination of restrictions concerning the labelling and advertising of foods for specified health uses
    • Further clarification of the scope of exaggerated representations under the Health Promotion Act
    • Strengthening of efforts to familiarize consumers, etc.
    (2) Review of the system of foods for specified health uses and its operation
    • Revisions in connection with the Handling of and Guidelines for Examination, etc., of Foods for Specified Health Uses
    • Implementation of sampling tests
    • Consideration of expanding the scope of foods for specified health uses designated on the basis of conformance to applicable standards and criteria
    • Making the release of product information mandatory for foods for specified health uses, and enrichment of details to be released
    • Provision of objective information concerning functional substances
    • Enhancement of database functions
  2. Matters for which prompt consideration and suitable responses are demanded
    (1) Strengthening of efforts to make the labelling and advertising of health foods more appropriate and to implement other relevant actions
    • Consideration concerning amendments to the Health Promotion Act
    • Enhancement of supervision over the labelling and advertising of health foods
    (2) Review of the system of foods for specified health uses and its operation
    • Consideration concerning qualified foods for specified health uses
    • Verification of the effectiveness of the re-examination system and its review
    • Revision to the Handling of and Guidelines for Examination, etc., of Foods for Specified Health Uses
    • Development of a system for consideration of foods for specified health uses designated on the basis of conformance to applicable standards and criteria
18 "Proposals on Consumer Safety at Play Facilities Located in Commercial Establishments"
(August 28, 2015)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・ Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
  1. In light of the fact that consumer accidents, etc., have occurred at play facilities located in commercial establishments, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry should ensure that commercial establishments under the jurisdiction of the ministry make necessary arrangements therewith to appropriately engage in the promotion of their business from the aspect of consumer safety.
  2. As a result of the arrangements made under 1. above, a mechanism should be developed to appropriately collect information on accidents that occurred at play facilities located in those commercial establishments that have made such arrangements, and the Consumer Affairs Agency should be informed of the collected information.
  3. Utilization of accident information
    (i) Take measures for the formulation of safety standards to be observed by relevant business operators.
    (ii) Share accident information with relevant business operators and remind them to take preventive measures against similar accidents.
  4. In light of the fact that consumer accidents, etc., have occurred at play facilities other than those located in commercial establishments under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, arrangements should be made with relevant administrative agencies to ensure appropriate collection and utilization of information on accidents that have occurred at such facilities.
  5. In order to promote appropriate utilization of information on accidents that occurred at play facilities, collected accident information should be provided to those administrative agencies with jurisdiction over the businesses that have installed play facilities, as well as to establishments other than commercial establishments. Also, the awareness of consumers should continue to be raised.
17 "Proposals Concerning Consumer Problems Related to Electronic Money"
(August 18, 2015)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Financial Services
  1. In order to prevent any harm to consumers from being caused in transactions that use electronic money and involves malicious electronic money member stores, prevent the spread of such harm, and remedy such harm already caused, measures should be taken in relation to electronic money issuers to ensure their development of systems for member store management and complaint handling, and such measures should include imposing upon such issuers the obligations prescribed in the Payment Services Act.
  2. Measures to protect people from falling victim to the fraudulent acquisition of their electronic money IDs
    (i) Encourage electronic money issuers to make efforts, for example, to display precautions on their websites and at the time of sale, to prevent harm to consumers through monitoring and analysis of the harm occurrence situation, and to remedy harm that has already occurred.
    (ii) Request cooperation in efforts to prevent, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the National Police Agency, and the Consumer Affairs Agency, the purchase of electronic money for the purpose of making payments to persons who intend to fraudulently obtain such electronic money, which include having employees talk to and warn consumers who intend to purchase a high amount of, or many units of, electronic money from electronic money member stores.
  3. In cooperation with the Consumer Affairs Agency, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and other relevant organizations, consumers should be more actively provided with education and information that cover the characteristics of electronic money, points to consider in the use of electronic money, and knowledge regarded as useful in preventing harm and its spread and in remedying harm.
16 "Proposals Concerning Websites and Prior Explanation and Consent with Respect to Cosmetic Medical Services"
(July 7, 2015)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. Ensuring the appropriateness of information provided on the websites of medical institutions
    (i) Expand the concept of "advertisement" subject to regulation under the Medical Care Act and include the websites of medical institutions in the scope of advertising.
    (ii) Prohibit at least those types of advertising that have already been prohibited pursuant to the Medical Care Act and the Enforcement Regulations on the Medical Care Act from being placed on the websites of medical institutions.
  2. Ensuring the appropriateness of prior explanation and consent
    (i) Promptly indicate to prefectural governments, etc., how the notifications of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare with respect to prior explanation and consent should be construed and the standards to be applied in relation to its instructions (e.g., in a Q&A form); and thoroughly ensure that each medical institution providing cosmetic medical services performs a medical procedure after having provided an appropriate explanation to the patient before the procedure and having thereby ensured the understanding and consent of the patient, and strictly refrains from performing same-day procedures since such procedures are likely to cause consumer problems.
    (ii) Raise the awareness of consumers about matters that require attention when receiving cosmetic medical services, in cooperation with prefectural governments, etc.
  3. In order to properly recognize cases of violation of laws, regulations, etc., associated with cosmetic medical services and in order for prefectural governments, etc., to effectively provide guidance to, and implement supervision over, medical institutions, efforts should be made to facilitate the utilization of information accumulated on PIO-NET and in the medical care safety support centers located in prefectures, etc., and to familiarize consumers with the consultation contact points of those centers to facilitate the use of such contact points. Furthermore, efforts should be made to facilitate the utilization of the mechanism that allows each citizen who has discovered a case of statutory violation to request the relevant administrative agency to implement an action to remedy the violation or issue administrative guidance in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
15 "Outline of Investigative Report and Proposals regarding the Collection and Utilization of Information concerning Accidents at Educational Childcare Facilities Etc"
(PDF format:223KB)

(November 4, 2014)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. The Collection of Accident Information
    (i)  Toward the enforcement of the New System of Support for Children and Childrearing (hereinafter the "New System"), the Cabinet Office; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter the "Relevant Government Ministries") should, at consideration sessions organized by the Relevant Government Ministries regarding measures to prevent the recurrence of serious accidents at educational/childcare facilities, etc., (hereinafter "Accident Recurrence Prevention Consideration Sessions") receive the assistance of the Consumer Affairs Agency and conduct considerations that include a notification system based upon the Consumer Safety Act when considering an accident information collection structure.
    (ii) The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare should create a structure to properly collect accident information for babysitting businesses, for which there is no accident information collection structure, as well as small-scale, unauthorized childcare facilities, for which the business situation is not adequately grasped.
    (iii) With regard to the system of providing notification of accident information based on the Consumer Safety Act, the Consumer Affairs Agency should continuously make the Relevant Government Ministries aware of the scope and notification methods of information regarding accidents at educational/childcare facilities, etc. for which they should notify the Consumer Affairs Agency, and they should urge notification when necessary.
    Further, the Relevant Government Ministries should make efforts such that when consumer accidents, etc. have occurred at educational/childcare facilities, etc., the notification of the accident information to the Consumer Affairs Agency based upon the Consumer Safety Act is conducted without fail.
    Toward that end, with regard to the notification of accident information when consumer accidents, etc. subject to notification have occurred, the Relevant Government Ministries should conduct considerations that include the methods for the departments of local public bodies in charge of educational/childcare facilities to notify the Consumer Affairs Agency via the government ministry of jurisdiction. In addition, cooperation regarding the reporting of accident information should be requested of educational/childcare facilities, etc. via local public bodies.
  2. The Analysis and Utilization of Accident Information
    (i) In order to accurately grasp the needs of sites regarding accident information, the Relevant Government Ministries should include the managing bodies of facilities, local public bodies, etc. and conduct considerations, and even after the enforcement of the New System, they should continuously conduct considerations and aim for improvement.
    (ii) Regarding information such as knowledge for recurrence prevention and calls for attention, the Relevant Government Ministries should give feedback to all educational/childcare facilities, etc., including those not migrating to the New System. Further, bearing in mind the fact that accidents occurring at educational/childcare facilities, etc. could also occur in households, the Consumer Affairs Agency should endeavor to deliver information to households raising children as well.
    (iii) The Consumer Affairs Agency should receive the assistance of the Relevant Government Ministries and make local public bodies aware that the "Accident Information Databank" can be utilized for the creation of materials, etc. to give calls for attention. With regard to "Child Safety Mail," push-type information transmission should be promoted, such as encouraging childcare workers and households raising children to register.
    (iv) In the database compilation of accident information being considered at Accident Recurrence Prevention Consideration Sessions, the Relevant Government Ministries should conduct considerations that include the utilization of existing databases, such as the Consumer Affairs Agency's “Accident Information Databank.”
    (v) Based on the fact that there are two requests regarding the inspection of consumer accidents, etc. at educational/childcare institutions, etc. (to inspect individual accidents and to gain knowledge for the prevention of further harm and recurrence), the Relevant Government Ministries and the Consumer Affairs Agency should conduct considerations aimed at the creation of a proper inspection system that can achieve each objective.
14 "Research Report on Consumer Issues Related to Credit Card Transactions and Outline of Recommendations "
(PDF format:423KB)

(August 26, 2014)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
  1. Development of systems for strictly managing member stores
    It is recommended that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) take measures to develop the following systems.
    (1) Take measures to increase the effectiveness of controlling member stores, including imposing obligations on merchant acquiring companies (acquirers) and settlement agencies under the Installment Sales Act.
    (2) Obligate the above acquirers and settlement agencies to register with the administrative agency and set out the authority of the administrative agency to conduct investigation.
     
  2. Development of systems for, among others, assertion against a credit provider of defenses asserted against a seller in the case of monthly clear card transactions
    As for intermediation of two months installment purchases (transactions in which a lump-sum payment is made one month after the purchase (monthly clear card transactions)), it is recommended that the METI take measures to develop systems for, among others, the same right to assert against a credit provider of defenses asserted against a seller as for intermediation of comprehensive credit purchase transactions.
     
  3. Consumer education and information provision in relation to credit card (CD) transactions
    It is recommended that the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) and the METI take the following measures.
    (1) The CAA and the METI should further promote the active provision of education and information to consumers in regard to use of CDs. At that time, information prepared in an easy-to-follow manner and deemed to be useful for consumers to prevent the expansion of damage and to recover from damage should be disseminated.
    (2) The METI should request CD industry groups to apply chargeback rules properly.
    (3) The METI should request CD issuers to provide information on the structure and risks of revolving repayment to consumers in an easier-to-understand fashion at the time of providing documents to consumers upon issuance or use of cards.
13 "Proposal on Consumer Problem about Fraudulent Investment Solicitation"
(August 6, 2013)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission
・Minister of State for Financial Services
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
・Minister of Justice
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  1. Enhanced enforcement of related laws and regulations as well as system improvement ((i) Intensive regulation of illegal solicitation for moneymaking by the police taking advantage of criminal code or other related laws and regulations; (ii) Application of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions to certain transactions substantially involving “service provision transactions”, which should be regulated by the Act, even when such transactions appear to be “transactions of rights”; (iii) Alert issuance to consumers under the Consumer Safety Act for right transactions or other illegal cases in niche markets as well as provision of recommendations or orders to the entrepreneurs which have caused many cases with damage to consumer properties; (iv) Recommendation of people-to-people exchange with the police and cooperation with specialists by local government sections in charge of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions in order to enhance the ability to enforce the Act;(v) Studying how the specified right system under the Act should be or preparation of another similar system; (vi) Promoting introduction of a system to protect property from being concealed or dissipated due to illegal action (system to apply for commencement of bankruptcy procedures, petition for temporary restraining order, system to order return of damage amount etc.); (vii) Efforts to establish the Act on Special Measures for Civil Procedures for Collective Recovery of Consumers’ Economic Damage and its smooth operation after establishment)
  2. Enhanced approach toward tools used in fraud cases ((i) For mobile phones: Obligation dissemination and assurance of user identification under the Act on Identification, etc. by Mobile Voice Communications Carriers of their Subscribers, etc. and for Prevention of Improper Use of Mobile Voice Communications Services as well as correction order to and arrest of the entrepreneurs violating the Act, (ii) For deposit accounts, mail receiving services, telephone reception services and telephone transfer services: Obligation dissemination and assurance of check before transactions and report of suspicious transactions under the Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds as well as implementation of correction order etc. to the violating entrepreneurs; (iii) Request to entrepreneurs for cooperation in positive issuance of easy-to-understand alerts in order to prevent money sending via mail, courier service etc.; (iv) Efforts to understand the actual circumstances about authenticity of a director without representation right when his/her registration is filed, and study of measures to be taken (including necessity of measures) based on the results.)
  3. Alerts to consumers and enhanced watching of the aged ((i) Positive implementation of information provision and alert issuance to the aged via television or other media; (ii) Popularization of an alert and watching system for the aged by means of close cooperation among various local entities/people including administrative authorities for consumers, Community General Support Centers, care support specialists etc.; (iii) Summarization of effective or pioneering cases of alerts to consumers and watching of the aged by prefecture or prefectural police and their provision to other prefectures and prefectural polices; (iv-1) Promoting approaches to install telephone conversation recorders at residences of the aged so as to collect information and evidence as well as the study of nationwide development of this approach; (iv-2) Positive alert issuance to the people in the list obtained from criminal groups; (v-1) Positive implementation of subsidy system dissemination for local government’s approaches in relation to an adult guardian system such as a citizen guardian promotion project as well as information provision about approach examples; (v-2) Popularization of projects to support independent daily life through subsidy to local governments in order to support daily cash management of the people with insufficient discernment ability)
12 "Proposal on Promoting Improvement of Local Consumer Administration System"
(Aug. 6, 2013)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
  1. Steady implementation of approaches toward improvement of consumer administration systems in cities, towns and villages raised in "Report by Expert Examination Committee on Local Consumer Administration"((1) Improvement of consumer administration systems in small cities/towns/villages, (2) Enhancement of "regional potential", and (3) Support to the staff in charge of consumer administration)
  2. Maximum efforts toward the governmental continuous financial support of the local consumer administration
  3. Verification of the effect caused by “General Rules on Utilization Period of Governmental Financial Measures for Local Consumer Administration”
11 "Proposal on Measures toward Information Dissemination for Protection of Consumer Accidents"
(February 12, 2013)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
  1. To prepare a system having two-directional information flow by improving the routes through administrative agencies where accident information is notified and collected, so that such routes can be also used for information provision as well as study for utilization of a wide range of various routes
  2. To make efforts for understanding information provision tools and media held by individual ministries and agencies concerned and to positively request them to post or introduce the information which should be provided via such tools corresponding to the consumers' attributes; To positively take actions corresponding to the request for cooperation from the Consumer Affairs Agency
  3. To make efforts for positioning the Consumer Affairs Center as the base for information provision used for transmission of safety-related information and to have communications after studying the provided information contents so that consumers can understand the importance of the information
  4. To further investigate the actual status of sales entrepreneurs etc. and study specific and effective implementation procedures for performing obligations specified under the Consumer Product Safety Act for information provision to the consumers who have purchased recalled products
  5. To study basic policies for information provision and make efforts for posting ample information on the recall information website
  6. To study the link between "Recall information e-mail service" and "Children safety e-mail from the Consumer Affairs Agency"; Further, to have consultation toward cooperation with e-mail newsletters from other ministries/agencies or incorporated administrative agencies; to positively take actions in response to request for cooperation from the Consumer Affairs Agency
  7. To further enhance consumer education and enlightenment for product safety
10 "Proposal on Labelling of 'Health food'"(January 29, 2013)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. Enhancement of approaches toward appropriate labelling and advertisement of health food ((i) Large-scale improvement of guidelines etc. to avoid false or exaggerated labelling or advertisement of health food so as to have easy-to-understand and clear guidelines; (ii) Preparation of an enhanced mechanism where consumers provide notification and conduct monitoring taking advantage of citizens' potential; (iii) Cooperation among national and local sections responsible for laws and regulations concerned in order for strict enforcement of law; (iv) Studying whether or not to introduce the right to seek injunction against health promoting methods; (v) For the pointed out fact that qualified consumer organizations do not seek for injunction often, the cause should be verified so that necessary measures can be taken; (vi) Study on granting prefectures with the authority to impose restriction on misleading advertisement and to issue cease and desist orders)
  2. Promotion of approaches on health food safety ((i) Research of methods to efficiently collect and analyze similar damage information with a unified standard as well as implementation of necessary measures including restrictions on distribution and labelling based on the result of such research; (ii) Requesting institutions concerned for cooperation so that doctors and pharmacists can hear the health food utilization situations from patients and issue alerts or the like for appropriate utilization; (iii) Promoting use of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines and a third party verification system for raw material safety by entrepreneurs through their preparation and popularization promotion as well as the enlightenment of consumers for a verification system)
  3. Study of health food function labelling ((i) Studying nutrient compositions to be newly approved as the food with nutrient function claims while referencing overseas cases; (ii) Studying preparation of examination standards for the food for specified health use and studying disclosure of certain examination contents)
  4. Promoting consumers’ understanding about health food characteristics etc. (Positive enlightenment about health food characteristics and appropriate use of such food, and meaning of function labelling)
9 "Proposal on Support Measures toward Continuous Development and Further Enhancement and Intensification of Local Consumer Administration"
(July 24, 2012)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
(Major Points of Proposal)
  1. To immediately verify and evaluate in further detail the governmental support measures so far for local governments and publicly announce the results before formulating new support measures
  2. To ensure and continue for some time financial aid to support basic approaches by local governments having difficulty in assuring their own financial resources to maintain the consultation system established or enhanced by the vitalization funds
  3. After understanding the actual situations of burden related to the duties performed by local governments mainly in accordance with the political request from the government, it is necessary to study the form of governmental financial support required in distribution of the financial resources. The funds required for performance of such duties needs to be distributed more securely to the section in charge of consumer administration. The study should conducted with a wide range of view covering the state liability and subsidies and so that necessary measures can be taken.
  4. In order to suppress cessation of employment contract renewal for consumer counselors, it is necessary to disseminate among local governments that uniform restriction of appointments is not appropriate. In addition, it should be clarified that consumer counselors can be subject to “Part-time officials with Fixed Term of Office System” and a more flexible expert appointment system should be studied.
  5. In order to improve the level of the staff in charge of consumer administration and consumer counselors, various training opportunities and programs based on the need of the actual workers should be provided. In addition, as a measure to supplement the training, the national government shall systematically prepare and update “Basic Manuals” and “Consultation Case Study” and provide them to the local governments.
  6. 6) Considering the trend of discussion at the Diet on the Act on Promotion of Consumer Education, support of the local governments’ approaches toward consumer education and enlightenment should be enhanced.
8 "Proposal on Utility Rate Problem"
(Feb. 28, 2012)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  1. From the viewpoint to assure the transparency of the process to decide utility rates and opportunity of consumer participation: a) Following up implementation of information provision at the competent authority; b) Check to see whether persons who can sufficiently advocate consumers’ rights and profits or not are appointed as council members, c) Appropriate implementation of the results of discussion with the competent authority based on the agreement at the price policy staff meeting; d) Study of issues (necessity of a third party organization for checking from the viewpoint of consumers, mechanism where price lowering to the level suitable to the time of deflation can be requested, mechanism where the cost is strictly appraised etc.)
  2. From the viewpoint of assuring the transparency of railway fare decision process and opportunities of consumer participation: a) Review of information provision guidelines for railways and tracks; b) Checking of the information about additional fare and appropriate information provision; c) Study on the increase of information to be provided (minutes, meeting materials, reflection of opinions obtained in public hearings, reason why consultation with the council is judged unnecessary etc.) for conveying the meeting process at the Transport Council to consumers; d) Appointment of members for the Transport Council from the viewpoint whether he/she can sufficiently advocate the consumers' rights and profits; studying whether or not to include the consumers (users) who use the travel facilities in the "interested parties" specified in General Rules of the Transport Council daily
  3. From the viewpoint to assure the transparency of the electricity rate decision process: Studying review of laws and regulations for assuring information provision on the basis of results of the discussion at "Council for Review of Electricity Rate System and Operation" and issuance of change order (price lowering) under Article 23 of the Electricity Business Act
7 "Proposal on Consumer Problem in Relation to Spas and Medical Beauty Services"
(Dec. 21, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
  1. Provision of information about damage to health and appropriate actions
  2. Measures to assure safety of the consumers who use spa or beauty treatment clinics
  3. Thorough regulation of inappropriate representation (advertisement)
  4. Enhancement of accountability to the consumers who use the medical beauty treatment services
6 "Proposal on Approaches to Consumer Problems about House Renovation"
(August 26, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  1. Construction of a mechanism to take actions with an integrated network in response to consultation from consumers
  2. Enhancement of approaches by cooperation with local governments (Renovation defect insurance system, reference information about house renovation, information dissemination and support of cooling off etc.)
  3. Approaches toward higher recognition of consumer support system (such as indication on the envelope of property tax/city planning tax payment notification)
  4. Implementation of verification etc. of approaches so far
5 "Proposal on the Measures toward Drastic Enhancement of Consumer Safety Administration"
(July 22, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
・Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. Enhanced collection of information about serious accidents etc. from a wider range
  2. Public announcement of information about accidents which need to be educated emergently
  3. Measures for collection by effective alerts and enhanced prevention of damage increase after accident occurrence
  4. Collection, analysis and utilization of information about misuse and minor accidents
  5. Enhancement of the system for further collection, analysis and utilization of each type of accident information
4 "Proposal on Illegal Solicitation for Apartment Purchase"
(May 13, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
  1. Preparation of a system for prefectural sections responsible for Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act to appropriately understand the information about entrepreneurs which conduct illegal or inappropriate solicitation
  2. Provision of materials related to disposals under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions from the Consumer Affairs Agency and coordination of guidance and supervision procedures based on the materials by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and request for investigation by Regional Development Bureaus and prefectures and stricter disposals
  3. Study of (i) Prohibition of repeated solicitation, (ii) Prohibition of solicitation for a long period of time or at night, (iii) Enhancement of penalties for threatening actions, (iv) Notification of the purpose of sale and the entrepreneur name, and (v) Exclusion from cooling-off application etc. from the viewpoint of assuring effectiveness of rules
3 "Proposal on the Measures toward Vitalization of Local Consumer Administration"
(Apr. 15, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
  1. Verification and evaluation of the governmental support measures for local regions so far such as “Fund for Vitalization of Local Consumer Administration”, “Subsidy to pour light on daily life of residents” etc.
  2. Enhancement of consultation network by implementation of governmental support measures for cooperation in a wider range
  3. Studying the government’s bearing of a certain part of PIO-NET input cost
  4. Enhancement of the local law enforcement system
2 "Proposal on Problems of Contract Involving Advance Payment for Private Nursing Home"
(Dec. 17, 2010)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. Legislation and clarification of the special rule for a short-term cancellation system (so-called “90-day rule”)
  2. Assurance of preservative measures for advance payment (introduction of direct punishment rules and request to prefectures to provide effective guidance etc.)
  3. Clarification of other rules (effectiveness assurance and clarification of guidance/policy provisions; preparation of a public mechanism where consumers can obtain information and have consultation)
1 "Proposal on Recall of Automobiles"
(Aug. 27, 2010)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
  1. To drastically improve the system for collecting and announcing accident and malfunction information obtained from users, which may serve as a clue to recall (Dissemination of "Automobile malfunction information hotline" among consumers, timely fact confirmation of accident and malfunction information with the manufacturer and public announcement etc.)
  2. To improve the operation of the accident information data bank (Additional posting of accident and malfunction information held by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism etc.)
  3. To improve analysis and verification process for accident/malfunction information and recall cases (Appropriate and effective engineering verification for repeated recall cases and review of audit policy for manufacturers)
  4. To promote quick notification of recall, to effectively disseminate recall information, and to further disseminate and review recall-related systems

2. Suggestions

No Suggestions Outline of Suggestions
18 "Suggestions on the Full Picture of Food Labelling"
(August 15, 2019)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
  1. For the Consumer Affairs Agency
    It is desirable that the Consumer Affairs Agency should, in close cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, promptly conduct the following detailed surveys, if necessary, with the cooperation of private business operators, etc., in order to render food labeling easily understandable and utilizable.
    • (Survey 1) Survey on the collective labeling parts of currently consumed food products
    • (Survey 2) Survey on the spatial volume of information
    • (Survey 3) Survey on good cases of online provision of supplementary information
    On the basis of the results of Surveys 1 and 2, improvements in the readability of so-called "collective labels" should be considered.
  2. On the basis of the results of Survey 3, the possibility of online food labelling should be considered in a stepwise manner. However, as a premise, this consideration needs to be based on the opinions of consumers and the viability of food-related business operators, etc.
  3. It is necessary to continue to look into and study those issues that have not been sufficiently discussed in the present process of consideration (such as the understandability of information on matters subject to being included in labels, the order of priority among such matters, and the opinions of food-related business operators, etc., with respect to labelling).
  4. In addition, it is desirable to raise public awareness about food labeling even more.
17 "Suggestions from the Aspect of the Progress of Consumer Administration with Respect to the Initiative ‘Office of Consumer Policy Frontier’"
(May 30, 2019)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
  1. In examining/reviewing the initiatives of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center implemented in Tokushima, the Consumer Affairs Agency is requested to take account of the details of the Report of the Expert Examination Committee on Consumer Policy Frontier Projects.
    (i) For the Consumer Affairs Agency
    • As a whole, the Consumer Affairs Agency can be regarded as contributing to the progress of consumer administration in terms of the fact that it has achieved outcomes that can potentially be applied to or utilized for future consumer administration by the national government and local governments across Japan.
    • Since there are some projects that have not reached the stage at which specific efforts for application/utilization can be commenced, it is important to ensure the implementation of such specific efforts in the future.
    • Also, it is important to consider the way future efforts and the Office should be.
    • For the implementation of the above-mentioned matters, it is considered necessary to enhance the structure and functions of the Consumer Affairs Agency in Tokyo as an organization playing central roles, and relevant actions should be considered in such case.
    (ii) For the National Consumer Affairs Center
    • The National Consumer Affairs Center can be regarded as contributing to the progress of consumer administration in terms of some facts such as that it has clarified, among other matters, through its training project the presence of a certain need for holding training sessions in Tokushima, and that it has clarified the presence of certain themes for which Tokushima can be utilized as a demonstration field in product tests.
    • The training project has certain issues regarding the number of participants, the efficiency of its operation, and the level of fulfillment of training contents. In particular, outcomes associated with the number of participants are inevitably regarded as insufficient. In addition, the center has other issues such as that those themes for which the demonstration field is required in product tests are rather limited, that the results of surveys require some adjustments to be made due to the impact of region-specific features, and that there is a concern of potential impact on the efficient operation of product tests as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to review each of such issues.
    • For reviews on the basis of, among other factors, the level of fulfillment of training sessions held nationwide, and in making adjustments due to the impact of region-specific features on survey results, it is considered necessary to enhance the structures and functions of the National Consumer Affairs Center Offices in Sagamihara and Tokyo as organizations playing central roles, and relevant actions should be considered in such case.
    (iii) For the Consumer Commission
    • It is significant that a policy implementation model was developed, in which the Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center deploy consumer policies in fields closely connected to local areas while the Consumer Commission, from an independent position, examines such deployment.
    • It is important to continue to pay attention to, among other matters, the situation surrounding the initiatives of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center implemented through the Office and also to the situation surrounding the application/utilization of the outcomes of such initiatives to/for consumer administration implemented by the national government and local governments across Japan.
  2. The Consumer Commission will continue to pay close attention to the situation surrounding initiatives of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the National Consumer Affairs Center implemented in Tokushima and to the situation surrounding the application/utilization of the outcomes of such initiatives to/for consumer administration implemented by the national government and local governments across Japan, while also making progress in studying the way policies should be for the development of consumer administration by the national government and local governments across Japan.
16 "Suggestions on the Manner of Transactions Through Platforms"
(April 18, 2019)

[Submitted to]
・Minister in charge of Information Technology Policy
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
  1. Roles of platform business operators
    All platform business operators are expected to engage in the following efforts according to their scales, mechanisms, products, and other factors.
    (i) Review of goods/service providers (users)
    (ii) Provision of information to consumers on various efforts
    (iii) Easy-to-understand descriptions of goods/services
    (iv) Establishment and clear presentation of fair terms of use for the development of a safe and secure trading environment
    (v) Provision of an appropriate evaluation system
    (vi) Provision of a safe payment system and multiple payment means
    (vii) Handling of consumer problems and coordination with Consumer Affairs Centers
    (viii) Introduction of an insurance system and a compensation system
    (ix) Provision of support in the formation of a contract between users in each customer-to-customer transaction, and efforts to reach a resolution cooperatively with the provider
  2. Roles of platform users in customer-to-customer transactions
    (i) In order for providers to participate in customer-to-customer transactions on platforms, their observance of basic rules is essential.
    (ii) It is essential for purchasers/users to be aware of the fact that they assume applicable civil liability even in the case of customer-to-customer transactions on platforms, and to observe basic rules.
    Furthermore, platform users are also expected to play roles in the realization of a sound trading environment.
  3. Roles of administrative agencies
    (i) Administrative agencies should, for example, provide consumers with information on matters regarding which consumer problems may occur rather easily, keep consumers informed of laws, regulations, etc., in a simple and clear manner, provide young people with information even on small matters, and take actions with an eye on the possible expansion of the elderly’s use.
    (ii) It is important to provide platform business operators with information on those business operators that have violated laws or regulations and on the details of such violations.
    It is desirable to arrange periodic occasions for information exchange with platform business operators in cooperation with the National Consumer Affairs Center, etc. Furthermore, it is also necessary to provide such information as that on good cases of platform business operators.
    (iii) Revisions to relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. (e.g., auction guidelines related to the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions) may need to be considered.
  4. Roles of the National Consumer Affairs Center, Consumer Affairs Centers, and consumer organizations
    (i) Under existing laws, the National Consumer Affairs Center and Consumer Affairs Centers can give consumer advice on customer-to-customer transactions through platforms.
    (ii) For example, in order to enable consumers to select platform business operators with which those consumers can participate in transactions with peace in mind, consumer organizations, etc., should collect information on platforms from various aspects and provide consumers with such useful information.
  5. Ensuring the viability of roles played by platform business operators
    Potential basic measures for ensuring the viability of efforts include (i) voluntary efforts and collective regulations, (ii) laws and guidelines, and (iii) certification systems.
  6. Issues to be tackled
    The following issues should continuously receive attention and be considered further:
    (i) Transparency concerning the handling of users’ information;
    (ii) Issues concerning non-matching sites;
    (iii) Handling of overseas business operators;
    (iv) Importance of enhancing online dispute resolution; and
    (v) Importance of the perspective of consumer protection in transactions through platforms.
15 "Suggestions on the Enhancement of Enforceability in Consumer Administration: To Enhance the Enforceability of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions in Local Consumer Administration"
(August 29, 2017)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
  1. Responses to issues concerning the enforcement system
    (i) Development and sharing of enforcement know-how, and enrichment of practical training
    (ii) Clarification of the positions of officials engaged in enforcement operations by, for example, assigning a job title "enforcement expert officer" to their positions
    (iii) Expansion of the involvement of part-time employees with various types of know-how associated with enforcement operations, such as police-related officials
    (iv) Enrichment of the enforcement system by cooperating with various expert personnel such as lawyers and with qualified consumer organizations, etc.
  2. Handling of malicious business operators
    (i) Consumer Affairs Centers’ handling of requests for advice with an eye on law enforcement, contriving a method of inputting data into PIO-NET, and the development of a mechanism of information coordination between Consumer Affairs Centers and enforcement sections
    (ii) Enrichment of information input into the Enforcement Network Based on the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions
    (iii) Promotion of the exercise of a right to demand information materials against relevant parties
    (iv) Prompt and extensive collection of information provided from consumers
  3. Cooperation between the national government and prefectures, and division of their roles
    (i) Use of simultaneous administrative dispositions by multiple prefectures and joint administrative dispositions between prefectures and the national government
    (ii) Indication of the basic concept of the division of roles between the national government and prefectures in cases whose damage is extensive
    (iii) Promotion of efforts that practically support prefectural governments’ onsite inspections, etc.
    (iv) Dissemination of the concept of enforcement of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, including where the authority to issue administrative dispositions lies
14 "Suggestions on the Further Utilization of Accident Information"
(August 8, 2017)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
  1. When data is input into the Accident Information Data Bank, the following items should be implemented:
    (i) Clarification of the definitions and classification method of recommended input items and input items, and verification and review of input items as appropriate
    (ii) Creation of an environment to collect even more information on matters which are difficult to ascertain
    (iii) Cooperation and information exchange with Data Bank participating organizations
    Furthermore, it is important to improve the skills of persons in charge of data input and provide such persons with technical assistance in terms of input formats.
  2. In the analysis of information registered with the Accident Information Data Bank, it is important to implement the following items:
    (i) Understanding of accident trends by using new data analysis technologies, narrowing-down of accidents subject to analysis, etc.
    (ii) Analysis by persons with knowledge about accidents
    (iii) Consideration of the utilization of data analysis technologies in cooperation with Data Bank participating organizations
    Furthermore, the inclusion of accident information posted on SNSs as a subject of analysis is also effective to a certain degree.
    In addition, it is desirable to conduct further research and analysis on the basis of the results of analysis by the Consumer Safety Investigation Commission.
  3. It is desirable to release accident information to consumers in an easy-to-understand manner with a focus on its features. Also, in the provision of information, it is desirable to implement the following items:
    (i) Employing a method that is likely to lead to television coverage
    (ii) Covering preventive/corresponding measures in relation to accidents, and information provision that is linked to the details of precautions, etc., raised by administrative agencies and business operators
    (iii) Ingenuity of information channels
    (iv) Continuous provision
    In addition, it is desirable to consider the possibility of developing a mechanism to enable consumers to experience simulated accidents and to actively communicate information on their own accidents.
  4. It is desirable to verify and review the effectiveness of measures implemented against accidents.
  5. It is desirable to promote the release of accident information and, in so doing, to consider the possibility of providing Medical Institution Network Information.
13 "Suggestions on the Effective Promotion of Consumer Education Centrally for Young People"
(June 28, 2016)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety
・Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
  1. The actual situation surrounding, for example, changes in the knowledge, etc., of young people made through consumer education acclivities so far should be ascertained nationwide, which should be utilized for the promotion of future consumer education.
  2. Consumer education that addresses the actual situation of consumer problems which consumers aged around 18 years face and that covers the needs of such consumers should be provided.
  3. In order to promote the placement and activities of coordinators, the following matters should be implemented:
    (i) Provide the support necessary for promoting the placement of coordinators and making their activities productive
    (ii) Work toward ensuring that coordinators can communicate with not only those sections in charge of consumer administration but also schools, etc.
    (iii) Work toward making it clear that coordinators act as such as positions within their local governments so as to enable them to continuously engage in activities
12 "Suggestion on Consumer Problem related to Specially Permitted Businesses for Qualified Institutional Investors"(PDF format:107KB)
(April 22, 2014)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Financial Services
  1. To review the scope of targeted retail investors in “Specially Permitted Businesses for Qualified Institutional Investors” (so-called “professional funds”).(e.g., eligible investors shall be limited to those who possess surplus funds of hundreds of millions of yen at least, and conduct investment-type financial transactions on a continuous basis more than a year.)
  2. To make thorough efforts for elimination of malicious business.
11 "Suggestion on Public Utility Rate Problem - in Response to the Report by the Expert Examination Committee on Utility Rate"
(July 30, 2013)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
・Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
To newly set or change the utility rates etc., the utilities shall substantially assure consumer participation and transparency in the rate decision procedures described in the basic consumer plan in the due course of consultation between the competent ministry and the Consumer Affairs Agency.
10 "Suggestion on Improvement of Sales Solicitation by Telecommunication Carriers"
(December. 11, 2012)

[Submitted to]
・Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
  1. Improvement shall be promoted through intensive observation of voluntary standards by trade association.
  2. Improvement situations shall be verified and, as soon as details of the situation at the end of March 2013 are compiled, they shall be immediately reported to the commission.
  3. If a certain level of improvement is not found in the verification, necessary measures including legal actions shall be studied and securely implemented.
9 "Suggestion on the Consumer Problem about Medical Institution Bonds"
(September 4, 2012)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. Understanding the actual situations of medical institution bond issuance
  2. Promotion of cooperation among authorities concerned
  3. Studying review of guidelines from the viewpoint of consumer protection
8 "Suggestion on Measures against Illegal Drugs"
(April 24, 2012)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
  1. Expediting designation of drugs
  2. Measures for enhanced regulations (i) Introduction of "Comprehensive designation" (ii) Study of an enhanced system where narcotics agents (staff) are provided with authority to regulate illegal drugs as judicial police officers (iii) Implementation of measures to suppress opportunities to obtain drugs by private import etc. (intensive implementation border control measures) (iv) Study on enhanced monitoring and regulation of advertisement for sales activities giving the appearance of legal goods
  3. Enhanced cooperation with the regulation authority where the cabinet and the ministries concerning the Council for Promoting Measures to Prevent Drug Abuse are collaborating
  4. Centralized understanding of actual abuse situations and health damage information and implementation of information provision and enlightenment for consumers
7 "Suggestion on Consumer Problem Related to Sale etc. of Photovoltaic Systems for Houses"
(March 27, 2012)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
  1. Enhanced enforcement of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions etc.
  2. Appropriate actions for installment sales
  3. Adjustment of sales method via trade association and approaches toward higher quality
  4. Provision of easy-to-understand information in relation to support systems etc.
6 "Suggestion on Suppression of Damage in Door-to-door Purchase of Precious Metals etc."
(November 11, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Secretary-general of the Consumer Affairs Agency
・Director-general, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, METI
・Director-general, Community Safety Bureau, National Police Agency
  • Specific contents of the legal actions against troubles related to door-to-door purchase of precious metals etc. should be quickly provided.
  • The "rights" which are not covered by the regulation under the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions shall be reviewed. In addition, a system to take immediate actions against transactions causing damage regardless of frameworks such as "sale" and "service provision" shall be prepared.
5 "Suggestion on the Study toward Amendment of the Consumer Contract Act"
(August 26, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Secretary-general of the Consumer Affairs Agency
・Minister of Justice
  • Study for amendment of the Consumer Contract Act shall be started quickly. This should be linked with the study toward revision of the Civil Code (Claims).
4 "Suggestion on Labelling Permission for Food for Specified Health Use"
(August 12, 2011)

[Submitted to]
・Secretary-general of the Consumer Affairs Agency
  1. A system where entrepreneurs collect and report new scientific information and a mechanism where the reported information is scientifically and neutrally analyzed and evaluated shall be studied.
  2. For information provision after the start of re-examination procedures, measures to broadly provide information about examination situations to consumers should be studied.
  3. Toward introduction of a permission renewal system, study on the clarification of examination standards for effectiveness and safety, effective period setting, and examination system preparation should be started.
For the permission renewal system, in particular, it is important to prepare an examination system for appropriate implementation of renewal examination. With taking this point sufficiently in consideration, the Consumer Affairs Agency shall promote study on the introduction of a permission renewal system.
3 Suggestion on the Measures to Protect Damage from the Internet Transactions Resulting from Credit Card Settlement via Payment Agency
(October 22, 2010)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
  1. Understanding actual damage cases and actual situations of payment agents
  2. Stricter punishment and alerts to consumers
  3. Obliging mail order firms to indicate the payment agent
  4. Study of other necessary revisions of the system (Studying review of related laws and regulations, working on overseas companies for review of settlement rules in case of disputes among entrepreneurs concerned such as overseas card companies on the side of member shops etc.)
2 "Suggestion on Actions for Suffocation Accidents Caused by Konjak-containing Jelly and Legislation for Food Safety from Aspects of Shape and Physical Properties"
(July 23, 2010)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
・Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
  1. Actions under the Consumer Safety Act (Immediate and sincere fact confirmation including tracing investigation of the cases involving danger information in relation to suffocation accidents collected after enforcement of the Safety Act and taking of necessary measures as specified under the Safety Act based on the investigation results)
  2. Legislation on food safety for its shape and physical properties (Preparation of "Reference index", study toward legislation for assuring safety in the shape and physical properties of food)
1 "Measures against Damage Caused by Investment Fraud Such As Solicitation to Purchase Unlisted Stocks (Suggestion)"
(April 9, 2010)

[Submitted to]
・Minister of State for Consumer Affairs
・Minister of State for Financial Services
・Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission
  1. Preparation of civil rules to quickly promote relief of damage (by increasing the scope of the Specified Commercial Transactions such as invalidation of sale by unregistered entrepreneurs)
  2. Study and introduction of sanction with the effect of suppressing illegal actions (Review of statutory punishment, study and introduction of more effective sanction other than punishment)
  3. Effective action by administrative authority (information collection about vicious unregistered entrepreneurs, announcement of company names, use of an application filing system to the court for unregistered entrepreneurs, effective operation of disclosure restriction of sale entrepreneur information)
  4. Others (Enhanced regulation by authorities concerned, efforts and devices for effective alerts to the aged etc. and consultation service for victims, increasing the scope of uninvited solicitation prohibition to cover investment into unlisted stocks etc.)

3. Opinions etc.

No Date Title
103 March 31, 2022 Opinion on Draft Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan (March 2022)
102 December 17, 2021 Opinion on the Verification and Assessment of the Implementation Status of the Consumer Basic Plan, etc., and on Making Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan
101 December 17, 2021 Opinion on Measures Aimed at Preventing Harm to Young Consumers Following the Lowering of the Age of Majority
100 August 19, 2021 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Modality of Effective Development and Operation of Self-Regulations: Based on a Report of the Working Group for Studying the Manner of Rule Formation, etc., in Fields Associated with Consumer Laws
99 August 19, 2021 Opinion on Measures and Environment Arrangement for Promoting Business Operators’ Active Utilization of Consumer-Related Information: Based on a Report of the Working Group for Studying the Manner of Provision of Consumer-Related Information
98 July 16, 2021 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Manner of Detailed Designing of Wheeling Charge Systems, etc.
97 June 18, 2021 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the "Setting of Standard Charge Indexes for Specified Telecommunications Services Provided by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation," etc.
96 April 16, 2021 Opinion on Draft Revisions to the Consumer Basic Plan and Its Progress Schedule (March 2021)
95 December 18, 2020 Opinion on the Verification and Assessment of the Implementation Status of the Consumer Basic Plan, etc., and on Making Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan
94 December 3, 2020 Opinion on Efforts Against Phishing
93 November 26, 2020 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the After-the-Fact Verification of the Fare Rearrangement of Public Motor Vehicle Transportation Services (The districts of Tokyo Special Wards, Musashino City and Mitaka City)
92 August 28, 2020 Opinion on the Ideal Model of Consumer Administration to Be Accomplished Around 2040 and Measures, etc., for Its Realization: Based on the Report of the Expert Examination Committee on Local Consumer Administration
91 August 28, 2020 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Calculation of Drafted Changes in Wheeling Charges Following the Inclusion of Amounts Borne for Compensation and Facilitation of Decommissioning
90 June 26, 2020 Opinion on the Malicious Trial Method
89 May 29, 2020 Opinion on the Draft Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan (May 2020)
88 January 30, 2020 Opinion on the Draft of the Next Consumer Basic Plan (December 2019) and on the Formulation of Its Progress Schedule
87 August 30, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on Consumer Problems Related to the So-Called Sale-To-Deposit Scheme
86 August 15, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Railway Fare Revision Plan of Hokkaido Railway Company
85 August 15, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Railway Fare Revision Plan Following an Increase in the Consumption Tax Rate (Except for Hokkaido Railway Company)
84 August 15, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Taxi Fare Revision Plan for the Special Wards of Tokyo Following an Increase in the Consumption Tax Rate
83 August 15, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Bus Fare Revision Plan Following an Increase in the Consumption Tax Rate
82 August 8, 2019 Opinion on the Interim Summarization by the Installment Sale Subcommittee under the Commerce, Distribution and Information Committee of the Industrial Structure Council
81 June 13, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Manner of Rule Formation, etc., in Light of Consumer Laws (Fields of Trade)
80 June 13, 2019 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Revision Plan for the Upper Limit Postage of Standard-Sized Mails, etc., Following an Increase in the Consumption Tax Rate
79 March 27, 2019 Opinion on Draft Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan (February 2019)
78 December 19, 2018 Opinion on the Verification and Assessment of the Implementation Status of the Consumer Basic Plan and on Making Revisions to the Plan Progress Schedule
77 December 19, 2018 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Cancellation of the Transitional Electricity Rates
76 September 12, 2018 Opinion on the Basic Concept of the Formulation of the Next Consumer Basic Plan
75 August 2, 2018 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Follow-up After Electricity Rate Reduction Following the Resumption of the Operation of Oi Nuclear Power Station Units 3 and 4 by Kansai Electric Power
74 June 14, 2018 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the "Setting of Standard Charge Indexes for Specified Telecommunications Services Provided by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation," etc.
73 May 31, 2018 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on Issues Concerning the Retail Liberalization of Electricity and Gas
72 March 30, 2018 Opinion on Draft Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan (February 2018)
71 March 8, 2018 Opinion on the Amendment Bill of the Consumer Contract Act
70 February 8, 2018 Opinion on the Planned Change to the Basic Policy for Promotion of Consumer Education
69 January 17, 2018 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Additional Follow-up After the Resumption of the Operation of Ikata Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 by Shikoku Electric Power
68 January 17, 2018 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Follow-up After Electricity Rate Increase by Chubu Electric Power
67 December 20, 2017 Opinion on the Review of Food Hygiene Regulations, etc.
66 December 20, 2017 Opinion on the Verification and Assessment of the Implementation Status of the Consumer Basic Plan and on Making Revisions to the Plan Progress Schedule
65 November 8, 2017 Opinion on the Revision of the Basic Policy for Promotion of Consumer Education
64 August 22, 2017 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Follow-up After Electricity Rate Reduction Following the Resumption of the Operation of Takahama Nuclear Power Station Units 3 and 4 by Kansai Electric Power
63 August 3, 2017 Opinion on Small-Scale Specified Joint Real Estate Ventures on the Basis of the Act on Specified Joint Real Estate Ventures
62 May 23, 2017 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on Issues Concerning the Retail Liberalization of Electricity and Gas
61 May 23, 2017 Opinion on Draft Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan (April 2017)
60 April 18, 2017 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Follow-up After Electricity Rate Increase by Hokkaido Electric Power, Tohoku Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, Shikoku Electric Power, and Kyushu Electric Power
59 January 31, 2017 Opinion on the Verification and Assessment of the Implementation Status of the Consumer Basic Plan and on Making Revisions to the Plan Progress Schedule
58 January 17, 2017 Opinion on the Implementation Report Concerning "Proposals on Measures to Realize the Appropriate Labeling and Advertisement of Health Foods and on the Review of the System of Foods for Specified Health Uses and Its Operation"
57 December 6, 2016 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Fare Rearrangement Plan of Public Motor Vehicle Transportation Services (The districts of Tokyo Special Wards, Musashino City and Mitaka City)
56 September 20, 2016 Opinion on Consumer Problems Related to Games on Smartphones ーPoints of View to Closely Observeー
55 August 23, 2016 Opinion on Future Efforts Based on Various Trials by the Consumer Affairs Agency, etc.
54 May 24, 2016 Opinion on Draft Revisions to the Progress Schedule of the Consumer Basic Plan (April 2016)
53 May 17, 2016 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on "Points to Be Closely Observed in Relation to the Retail Liberalization of Electricity"
52 April 26, 2016 About the Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Follow-up After Electricity Rate Increase by Tokyo Electric Power
51 February 24, 2016 Opinion on the Verification and Assessment of the Implementation Status of the Consumer Basic Plan and on Making Revisions to the Plan Progress Schedule
50 June 16, 2015 Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the "Setting of Standard Charge Indexes for Specified Telecommunications Services Provided by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation," etc.
49 May 8, 2015 About the Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Application for Approval of a Raise in Residential Electricity Rates by Kansai Electric Power
48 February 17, 2015 Opinion on the Draft of the Next Consumer Basic Plan (February 2015)
47 October 7, 2014 About the Opinion of the Consumer Commission on the Application for Approval of a Raise in Residential Electricity Rates by Hokkaido Electric Power
46 September 9, 2014 Comments on the Issues for Future Consideration regarding So-Called List Brokers, etc. [Overview](PDF format:36KB)
45 July 15, 2014 Comments on the "Policy Outline of the Institutional Revision for the Utilization of Personal Data"[Overview](PDF format:63KB)
44 May 27, 2014 Opinion on the revised draft for the consumer basic plan (May 2014) etc.
43 April 8, 2014 Opinion against the relaxation of the uninvited solicitation prohibition in the Commodity Futures Trading Act(PDF format:18KB)
42 April 8, 2014 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the application for approval of higher residential electricity rate by Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
41 February 25, 2014 Opinion on the verification and assessment of the implementation status of the consumer basic plan and toward review of the plan
40 February 25, 2014 Opinion on preparation of systems related to crowd funding(PDF format:89KB)
39 February 18, 2014 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the taxi fare revision plan in specified cities in Tokyo corresponding to a higher consumption tax rate
38 February 18, 2014 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the bus fare revision plan corresponding to a higher consumption tax rate
37 February 18, 2014 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the railway fare revision plan corresponding to a higher consumption tax rate
36 February 18, 2014 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the revision plan for JT’s tobacco retail prices corresponding to a higher consumption tax rate
35 December 17, 2013 Opinion about "Measures for Adjusting Food Labelling"
34 November 19, 2013 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the revision plan for the upper limit fee of standard-sized mails etc. corresponding to a higher consumption tax rate
33 November 12, 2013 Opinion on the uninvited solicitation prohibition in commodity futures transactions(PDF format:230KB)
32 August 27, 2013 Policy of the Consumer Commission at present on the consumers' property damage problems via the Internet
31 July 31, 2013 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the application for approval of higher residential electricity rate by Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.
30 July 30, 2013 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the application for approval of higher residential electricity rate by Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. and Shikoku Electric Power Company
29 July 23, 2013 Opinion on the whistleblower protection system -Future approaches based on the actual situation survey by the Consumer Affairs Agency
28 June 25, 2013 Opinion on "White Paper on Consumer Affairs" and "Report to the Diet under the Consumer Safety Act"
27 May 28, 2013 Opinion on the rough amendment idea for the consumer basic plan (April 2013) etc.
26 March 19, 2013 About the opinion from the Consumer Commission on the application for approval of higher residential electricity rate by Kansai and Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd.
25 February 26, 2013 Opinion on the verification and assessment of the implementation status of the consumer basic plan and toward review of the plan
24 December 25, 2012 Opinion toward formulating basic policies on consumer education promotion
23 July 13, 2012 Opinion on the application for approval of higher residential electricity rate by Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.
22 June 19, 2012 Policy of the Consumer Commission at present on the application for approval of higher residential electricity rate by Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.
21 June 12, 2012 Opinion on "Report of collection and analysis compilation results of the information on the consumer accidents etc."
20 June 5, 2012 Policy on "Health Food Labelling" -based on the analysis results of the questionnaires answered by health food users
19 May 29, 2012 Opinion on the rough amendment idea for a consumer basic plan (April 2012) etc.
18 May 10, 2012 Statement by Chairman -Application for approval of higher residential electricity rate
17 March 27, 2012 Opinion on the verification and assessment of the implementation status of the consumer basic plan in FY 2011 and toward review of the plan
16 February 14, 2012 Opinion on "Report of collection and analysis compilation results of the information on the consumer accidents etc."
15 December 2, 2011 Opinion on the interim summary (Chairman's draft) of "Study Council on the Review of National Consumer Affairs Center"
14 August 26, 2011 On the personal information protection system
13 August 26, 2011 Opinion toward future study of the damage relief system for groups of consumers
12 August 23, 2011 Interim summarization of "How health food labelling should be"
11 August 12, 2011 Opinion about procedures to enhance labelling on raw materials and origins
10 July 15, 2011 Opinion about study of "Review of National Consumer Affairs Center"
9 June 24, 2011 Opinion on "Report of collection and analysis compilation results of the information on the consumer accidents etc."
8 June 10, 2011 Further enhancement of consumer administration system – Opinion about interim summary of "Task force for review of National Consumer Affairs Center"-
7 June 10, 2011 Opinion on the verification and assessment of the implementation status of the consumer basic plan in FY 2010 and toward review of the plan
6 March 11, 2011 Opinion on the review of whistleblower protection system
5 March 4, 2011 Opinion on "Report of collection and analysis compilation results of the information on the consumer accidents etc."
4 June 25, 2010 Basic viewpoints to be focused on in the future among the reports to the Diet under the Consumer Safety Act
3 March 25, 2010 Viewpoints for verification, assessment and monitoring of the consumer basic plan
2 March 3, 2010 Opinion toward formulation of a consumer basic plan
1 December 14, 2009 Toward enhancement of local consumer administration

4. Reports

No Date Title
6 December 27, 2018 Report on Measures Associated with What the Order of the Whistleblower Protection Act Should Be, with the Roles that Administration Bodies Should Fulfill, etc.
[Attachment] Report of the Expert Examination Committee on Whistleblower Protection
5 August 8, 2017 Report on What the Order of the Consumer Contract Act Should Be (Secondary Report)
[Attachment] Report of the Expert Examination Committee on the Consumer Contract Act
4 July 26, 2016 Report on the Method of Assessment, etc., of Wheeling Charges
[Attachment] Examination Committee Report on Wheeling Charges
[Attachment] Examination Committee Report on Wheeling Charges Materials Edition
3 January 7, 2016 Report on What the Order of the Consumer Contract Act Should Be (Primary Report)
[Attachment] Report of the Expert Examination Committee on the Consumer Contract Act
2 January 7, 2016 Report on What the Order of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions Should Be
[Attachment] Report of the Expert Examination Committee on the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions
1 June 10, 2014 Future Measure against Violations under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations(the "Act")Including Introduction of a Surcharge System,Etc.in Order to Ensure the Effectiveness of regulations over Misleading representations under the Act.pdf(Replies to the Consultation)(PDF format:285KB)

summary.pdf(PDF format:82KB)

Reports are compiled in response to inquiries by the Prime Minister, etc. based on the provisions of Paragraph 2 (2) of Article 6, Act for the Establishment of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Consumer Commission.