Whole booklet 消費者庁パンフレット｜消費者庁

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Towards a Safe

and Prosperous Life

with Consumers’

Peace of Mind

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What is the Consumer Affairs Agency all about?

Working to advance consumer affairs policies

Towards safe daily living - Protecting consumers from scams, etc.

Selecting better products and services with peace of mind - For informed food choices

Protecting consumers' rights

Aiming to create a society with consumer-citizenship

Checking commodity price movements

Supporting the ﬁeld of local consumer administration

We have more and more tasks to do at the Consumer Affairs Agency

the safet an peace of min in people s li es hich therefore surface as signi cant

mono i e poisoning acci ents cause gas re ater heaters an ele ator acci ents a ﬂurr of foo misla eling cases an rampant occurrences of scams targeting senior

an staffe ith suf cient personnel as eli erate ith the aim of eliminating the

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an staffe ith suf cient personnel as eli erate ith the aim of eliminating the

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an staffe ith suf cient personnel as eli erate ith the aim of eliminating the Supporting the ﬁeld of local consumer administration

The latter half of 2000s saw a large number of serious consumer issues come about in Japan, epitomizing the times that can aptly be called a historical milestone triggering a rethinking of the way how the public administration had been managing the nation. In those days, there was a successive stream of issues coming to light that posed a threat to the safet an peace of min in people s li es hich therefore surface as signi cant social problems - for example, accidents involving general consumers, such as carbon mono i e poisoning acci ents cause gas re ater heaters an ele ator acci ents a ﬂurr of foo misla eling cases an rampant occurrences of scams targeting senior people, etc..

What formed part of the background for such a turn of events was the fact that each government agency and department had been working to achieve growth of the nation's economy by protecting and fostering businesses in their respective jurisdictions, while addressing consumer protection on a section-by-section basis strictly as a theme indirect and incidental to industrial development.

However, as a result of market-focused measures that had been driven in recent years, including deregulation, a "safe and secure market" or a "market with quality" had been called for. This generated the need to proactively review - from the standpoint of consumers - the way policy measures and public administration had been handled in the past and to make a shift to a public administration that would deliver a society where every consumer as a leading player can enjoy a safe and prosperous life with peace of mind.

Thus, an idea of creating a brand new organization equipped with powerful authority an staffe ith suf cient personnel as eli erate ith the aim of eliminating the section-by-section approach of the past and achieving the "integration" of the consumer agencies and departments in the administration, which then led to the establishment of the "Consumer Affairs Agency" on September 1, 2009. Always adhering to the philosophy that dates back to its founding, the Consumer Affairs Agency is carrying on the mission to make conspicuous achievements and work hard to meet the expectations of the people.

To deliver a society

where every consumer

as a leading player can enjoy

a safe and prosperous

life with peace of mind

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What is the Consumer

Affairs Agency all about?

Main functions of the Consumer Affairs Agency

onsumer ffairs enters etc hen the solution is if cult to

pla a part an a ministrating uali cation s stem of the an consumer ispute of hich solution is signi cant

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※Organizations associated with the Consumer Affairs Agency

Prime Minister

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs

Senior Vice-Minister

Parliamentary Secretary of abinet fﬁce

Consumer Safety Investigation Commission

Consumer Education Promotion Council

C A A

(Consumer Affairs Agency) Councils

・Personnel, accounting, bill screening, Diet-related matters, general affairs.

・Public relations.

・ r ani in e ie e e a a ed n u er

・ din uri di i n er e i e er Pr e i n ,

・ n e Pr e i n per na n r a i n

・ n u er edu a i n, rai in a arene and di e ina in in r a i n n u er

・P i P annin re a in a n u er p i and a i in Pr in a n u er ad ini ra i n

・ and in er e a er re a in

・ e ear in and uin e i e Paper n n u er a air

・ i e ina in in r a i n u ine e

・Pri e ni rin a ed n e n er en ea ure r a i i a i n a i na i e and Pri e n r rdinan e

・ din uri di i n er e n pe i ed er ia ran a i n , n e u a i n ran i i n pe i ed e r ni ai and n n ra r ep i pe i di ie and e n r pe i i

・ din uri di i n er e a n pe i ed area u a e ea a e ran a i n ,

ra e en , n a en a e and ne endin n r

・ din uri di i n er e a ain n u i a e Pre iu and i eadin epre en a i n , u in ua i uran e and

・ e in ,ana in and di e ina in in r a i n n ernin n u er a iden re a in i e and d in urie

・ d u in rea in ni e i ue a rdin e n u er a e

・ ep r in eri u pr du a iden a rdin e n u er Pr du a e

・P annin a i p i ea ure and rdina in ri uni a i n a ed n e d a e a i

・ e re aria n u er a e n e i a i n i i n ur e n u er a iden

upp r e i i n re a in i e and d in urie

・P annin pr in e a i p i ie in udin n u er a i P an

・P i rdina i n i re e an ini rie and a en ie

・ n erna i na a air

・ e in , ana in and di e ina in in r a i n n ernin n u er a iden re a in pr per

Division Main Administrative Work

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Developing basic plans for consumer policies and scrutinizing and assessing them

System for Collective Redress for Consumer Damage

Addressing education and edification for consumers

Monitoring commodity price movements and providing the information

Supporting local governments for consumer affairs

Other tasks, including protecting personal information, protecting whistleblowers

Preventing harm to consumers from occurring and spreading

Setting in place an environment where consumers can make a right choice

Organization of Consumer Affairs Agency

Secretary General Deputy Secretary-General

ire r enera 4 Counselor

General Affairs Division

Policy Planning Division

Legal System Planning Division

Consumer Education and Local Cooperation Division

Consumer Research Division

Consumer Safety Division

Consumer Transaction Division

abinet fﬁce

・・

・ din uri di i n er e a ain n u i a e Pre iu and i eadin epre en a i n , u in ua i uran e and

ire r enera 4

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abinet fﬁce

・・

・ din uri di i n er e a ain n u i a e Pre iu and i eadin epre en a i n , u in ua i uran e and e u e d d ua i a e in

・ din uri di i n er e n andardi a i n and Pr per ua i a e in ri u ura and re r Pr du J , d ani a i n ,

ea Pr i n and a r eepin ran a i n e rd and e a in P a e ri in n r a i n i e and i e Pr du

ire r enera 4

[Consumer Commission]

The Consumer Commission was established on September 1, 2009 together with the Consumer Affairs Agency. Having a highly transparent structure that allows voices of consumers to reach it directly, it operates as an independent, third-party organization with the function to monitor the overall consumer affairs administration by the respective ministries and agencies, including the Consumer Affairs Agency.

[National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan]

T h e N a t i o n a l C o n s u m e r A f f a i r s C e n t e r o f J a p a n i s a n i n c o r p o r a t e d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a g e n c y s u p e r v i s e d b y t h e Consumer Affairs Agency and plays the role, in cooperation with the national government, Consumer Affairs Centers nationwide and others, as a core organization for consumer affairs administration purposes. Its main activities include the following:

Advising on things like how to handle cases brought through

onsumer ffairs enters etc hen the solution is if cult to achieve.

Receiving consultation from consumers who were unable to reach the nearest Consumer Affairs Center, etc.

C o l l e c t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n o n c a s e s o f c o n s u m e r a f f a i r s consultation via the PIO-NET (Practical Living Information Online Network System).

Educating and raising awareness of consumers, and issuing requests and supplying information to governmental bodies, trade associations, etc.

Providing training sessions for personnel in consumer affairs administration in order to develop higher skills in persons who pla a part an a ministrating uali cation s stem of the Expert Consultant for consumer affairs.

Implementing extrajudicial dispute resolution procedures for an consumer ispute of hich solution is signi cant nationwide.

abinet fﬁce

・・

・ din uri di i n er e a ain n u i a e Pre iu and i eadin epre en a i n , u in ua i uran e and e u e d d ua i a e in

・ din uri di i n er e n andardi a i n and Pr per ua i a e in ri u ura and re r Pr du J , d ani a i n ,

ea Pr i n and a r eepin ran a i n e rd and e a in P a e ri in n r a i n i e and i e Pr du

Prime Minister

Consumer Affairs Agency

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs

Consumer Safety Investigation Commission

Consumer Education Promotion Council

Independent administrative agency The National Consumer Affairs Center Recommendation

Recommendation/Order

Consumer Commission

Consumer counseling, Product testing, Education and training, etc. Information

Consultation

Support

Ministries

& Agencies

Publication , Warning Local governments Local Consumer

Affairs Centers

Easy-access to consumer consultation service

Recommendation

Recommendation/Order

Request measures

Businesses

Consumers

Consumer Affairs Agency & its Partners

ire r enera 4

Gathering and analyzing information Information to consumers

Overseeing relevant ministries including handling 　the consumer problems which do not fall into other 　ministries’ responsibility

Information Information

Information

Information Advice ,

Mediation Education

Request Order/ Recommendation

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Working to advance consumer affairs policies

1 Working to advance consumer

affairs policies

White Paper on Consumer Affairs

Consumer Basic Plan

The Consumer Affairs Agency engages daily in the research and analysis of consumer issues for the purpose of more pertinent consumer affairs policies. The outcomes from such research and analysis are put together, coupled with the progress of consumer affairs policies by the government, and are published in the form of the White Paper on Consumer Affairs on an annual basis.

A Consumer Basic Plan is formulated to set forth the government's guideline on policy measures intended to implement consumer affairs policies in a systematic fashion so as to ensure protection and furtherance of consumer interests.

This Plan provides a summarization of, among other things, the asic irection of consumer affairs policies speci c actions in respective areas and issues to be addressed with a special focus.

Focused Measures from the “Consumer Basic Plan”

1. “General support for greater consumer competencies”

　 to facilitate self-help and self-reliance of consumers 2. “Enhancement of local powers” to bolster local 　 actions in close proximity to consumers

① Enhanced publicity activities on recall information

② Risk communication, etc. regarding food and radiation

③ Consumer Contract Act

④ Ensuring transparency in pricing process of public utility charges, etc.

⑤ Food Labeling Act [Consumer Affairs Agency]

⑥ Indications, etc. on so-called health food

⑦ Promotion of consumer education

⑧ Consumer damage remedy system

⑨ Food loss reduction, etc.

Local consumer affairs administration

Further improving service quality of the consumer advisory and developing a pertinent structure

Overhauling the PIO-NET

3. “Establishing trust from consumers” mainly in 　 our operations addressing consumer issues

Consumer safety administration

Esthetic services and cosmetic medicine Act on Speciﬁed ommercial Transactions Fraudulent investment solicitation

Paid nursing homes

Improving sales solicitations in telecommunications business Specially focused items of the Consumer Basic Plan to be addressed during the planned period (18 items)

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the asic irection of consumer affairs policies speci c

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Act on Speciﬁed ommercial Transactions

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he gures are uote from the hite paper on onsumer ffairs

Working to advance consumer affairs policiesWorking to advance consumer affairs policies

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①②

③④

⑤⑥

⑦⑧

⑨

Consultations for the elderly was growing distinctively in FY2013, increasing 62.8% from the FY 2008 level, which

translates into growth faster than the growth of elderly population.

Consumer affairs consultations on “Internet trading” has been increasing in recent years.

In FY 2013, consultations related to foreign countries were

increased distinctively, and over 40 % of the consultations were concerned to Clothing items like purses, handbags and shoes.

Consumer affairs consultations for the elderly

Consumer affairs consultations on Internet trading

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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20,036

2 ,100

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1, 86 2,832 ^,064

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20,000 30,000 40,000 0,000 60,000

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2

(Figure) Consultations on Internet trading are soared in FY 2013.

(Figure) Over 40 % of consultations on Internet trading in FY 2013 are concerned to Clothing items.

60 180

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2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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(Notes)

1. The Figure were created by Consumer Affairs Agency ,using data from consumer affairs consultation information registered with PIO-NET (registration by April 30, 2014) and “Population Estimates” (data as of October 1 each year) by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. 2. Indices when FY 2008/ CY2008 = 100.

(Notes)

1. Case concering “goods” excluding “software”, among consumeraffairs consultations on

“Internet trading” registered with PIO-NET (registration by April 30, 2014).

2. “advanced payment” represents payment without “credit accommodation”.

(Notes)

Case concering “goods” excluding “software”, among FY 2013 consumer affairs consultations on “Internet trading” registered with PIO-NET (registration by April 30, 2014)

(Figure) The number of consumer affairs consultations for the elderly is growing distinctively in FY 2013

he gures are uote from the hite paper on onsumer ffairs

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2 Towards safe daily living

Collecting, analyzing and releasing accident information

Pursuant to the Consumer Safety Act, the Consumer Affairs Agency receives reports on consumer accidents, etc. from g o v e r n m e n t a l b o d i e s a n d o t h e r e n t i t i e s c o n c e r n e d , summarizes pieces of accident information and regularly releases such information on serious accidents among them.

It also releases bulletins of its work of putting together and analyzing these pieces of information and supplies them to local governments, etc. as well as reports such incidents to the Diet and the Consumer Commission.

Prompt action to raise awareness of consumers

In order to prevent harm to consumers from occurring and spreading, the Consumer Affairs Agency works on raising awareness of consumers with respect to those cases among the accident information it collected which may cause spreading seriousness outcomes. The Agency also engages

in exchanging information and holding discussions with relevant entities, including the Government ministries and agencies, local governments, etc. concerned, working hand in hand with each other in an effort to prevent harm from spreading.

Consumer Accident Information Databank

We have developed and are now operate the Consumer Accident Information Databank in collaboration with the National Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan in order that

consumers can freely access, via the Internet, the information on consumer accidents held by entities concerned.

Here is the URL of the Accident Information Databank: 　http://www.jikojoho.go.jp

chose to recei e speci c information targeting seniors or

・

　

・

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・ Towards safe daily living - Protecting consumers from scams, etc.

2 Gathering information of recalled products

The Consumer Affairs Agency operates the "Consumer Affairs Agency Recall Information Site" of information of recalled consumer products for refunds, exchanges and checkup, repairs and other services. The product genres cover any including cars, housing equipment and household appliances to sports and leisure equipment, toys, daily supplies, cosmetics, food. Such information is gathered by being reported from responsible business entities directly to the Consumer Affairs Agency or collecting by respective ministries and agencies, according to the laws, regulations, etc.

This site also offers an e-mail broadcasting service on such recall information of serious accidents from the recalled products as well as newly registered recall information. This service is available to all registered subscribers, who can also chose to recei e speci c information targeting seniors or

"children."

・To register, please visit:

http://www.recall.go.jp/ (for PCs) http://www.recall.go.jp/m/ (for cell phones)

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Consumer Safety Investigation Commission

In October 2012, the Consumer Safety Investigation Commission was established within the Consumer Affairs Agency as an organization. By determining the causes of consumer product accidents involving deaths or bodily injuries and conducting research to gain knowledge in order to p r e v e n t s i m i l a r a c c i d e n t s , t h e C o m m i s s i o n o f f e r s

recommendations, suggestions and other advice to the Prime Minister. Following deliberations by expert members, the Commission also discloses consumer accident reports causing deaths or bodily injuries in the areas of manufactured products, food, facilities and services.

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e participate in e ents targeting chil ren that are organi e arious groups an istri ute leaﬂets an tip sheets

Towards safe daily living

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Protect Kids from Accidents! Project

The Consumer Affairs Agency has launched the project:

"Protect Kids from Accidents! " to reduce "unforeseen accidents," which rank among the leading causes of death in

children aged from 0 to 14, engaging in the dissemination of information through e-mail broadcasting and other services.

Details

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E-mails are sent weekly covering topics such as tips on prevention of accidents involving children and information designed to raise awareness.

"Child Safety Mail from

　 the Consumer Affairs Agency"

With the intention of having children relate to the project as well, we launched the mascot characters Abunai-Kamo and its theme song "Tell Me, Abunai-Kamo" in January 2013.

Mascot characters Abunai-Kamo (literally meaning "potentially dangerous, 　 " with kamo being a pun on "duck") and theme song "Tell Me, Abunai-Kamo"

e participate in e ents targeting chil ren that are organi e arious groups an istri ute leaﬂets an tip sheets regarding prevention of unforeseen accidents.

http://www.caa.go.jp/m/ (for cell phones)

・For registration and previous activities, please visit: 　http://www.caa.go.jp/kodomo/mail/ (for PCs)

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2 Protecting consumers

from scams, etc.

Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

"Door-to-door sales," "mail order sales," "telemarketing,"

"multilevel sales transactions" etc., are prone to cause consumer troubles as a result from their importunate solicitation for signing a contract of investment with no guarantee of pro t an selling un ante pro ucts o the business involving such wrongful operation, the Consumer Affairs Agency takes an action of administrative dispositions, such as business suspension orders, pursuant to the Act on

peci e ommercial ransactions hich sets

a ministrati e regulations to control acts of rongful

solicitation, etc. by businesses

ci il rules to pre ent a trou le for e ample cooling off an mi term termination of contracts

We review the regulations in response to diversifying types of transactions oor to oor purchase as ne l a e into the regulator co erage in an or together ith local governments and polices which are granted authority under the same Act.

he onsumer ffairs genc succee e in ramaticall

e amples of lea ing actions au io isual materials an other he au io isual materials are also a aila le from the follo ing

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

必ず儲かります。

値上がり確実です。

Pursuant to the Consumer Safety Act, the Consumer Affairs Agency takes prompt action to raise consumers' awareness of dishonest business schemes. In the event of any serious damage on a consumer's property that cannot be addressed an other la so calle a niche area case e also ensure that no consumer damage should occur or spread by m a i n g r e c o u r s e t o a n a m i n i s t r a t i e a c t i o n a recommen ation etc against the usiness

Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

guarantee of pro t an selling un ante pro ucts o the

transactions oor to oor purchase as ne l a e into the regulator co erage in an or together ith

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

an other la so calle a niche area case e also m a i n g r e c o u r s e t o a n a m i n i s t r a t i e a c t i o n a recommen ation etc against the usiness

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Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

2 Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

In order to effectively prevent harm to vulnerable consumers, such as seniors, to be victimized, it is critical for the local community to "watch over" those people in accordance of their circumstances.

he onsumer ffairs genc succee e in ramaticall reducing the number of wrongful telemarketing incidents in FY2013 by carrying out model projects, etc. that involved, for

instance, vigilance for seniors over phone calls and/or introduction of recording device in their landline phones. Further still, we provide local governments, etc. with case e amples of lea ing actions au io isual materials an other tools for the people who participate in such vigilance tasks. he au io isual materials are also a aila le from the follo ing

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

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3 Selecting better products

and services with peace of mind

Rules on fair labeling

Examples of fair competition code and fairness mark

Labeling of quality and price is important keys to select a product or service.

There is a law that regulates unfair labeling, such as untrue

descriptions and misrepresentation : the Act against n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations

If businesses start competing for sales by offering a far excessive prize or service addition, people might be swayed to buy products or services that are poor in ualit or lo in alue for mone his is h the ct against n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations places a restriction on e cessi e premiums

A fair competition code constitutes rules on representations and premiums that a business or trade association sets as approved by the Secretary General of the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Japan Fair Trade Commission. In accordance with such a code, approved companies sometimes puts a "Kousei (fairness) mark," on their product package or storefront telling consumers that their product/services can be purchased without worry.

There are rules for premiums

Household Goods Quality Labeling Act

The Household Goods Quality Labeling Act is a law that requires household products (manufactures) to label correct components, performance, handling procedures and other information so that general consumers can understand quality of such products correctly for purchase and using.

s one of ac groun of this issue insuf cient pu lication of the purpose an etails of ct against n usti a le the remiums an islea ing epresentations as pointe out

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arch

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inistr of griculture orestr an isheries as onsumer e ruar

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omposition of ers an care la eling (Indication of special caution) [Examples of description of accordance with the Household Goods Quality Labeling Act]

[Kousei (fairness) mark]

Formulation and release of the Approach to representations of dishes se ed in restaurant etc under the Act against n ustiﬁabe remiums and isleading epresentations n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations

ualit or lo in alue for mone his is h the ct against n usti a le remiums

an islea ing epresentations places a restriction on e cessi e premiums s one of ac groun of this issue insuf cient pu lication of the purpose an etails of ct against n usti a le the remiums an islea ing epresentations as pointe out

arch

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Formulation and release of the Approach to representations of dishes se ed in restaurant etc under the Act against n ustiﬁabe remiums and isleading epresentations

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n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations

ualit or lo in alue for mone his is h the ct against n usti a le remiums

an islea ing epresentations places a restriction on e cessi e premiums s one of ac groun of this issue insuf cient pu lication of the purpose an etails of ct against n usti a le the remiums an islea ing epresentations as pointe out

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3 Ensuring correct description of menu, etc…

n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations

ualit or lo in alue for mone his is h the ct against n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations places a restriction on e cessi e premiums

Concurrent assignment of Food Description Inspector at the Consumer Affairs Agency Since fall in 2013, some incidents occurred from some hotel restaurant in which the ingredients of served dishes there were different from those described in a menu, which lead social problems. The Consumer Affairs Agency has taken a variety of steps so that similar problems should not take place again.

s one of ac groun of this issue insuf cient pu lication of the purpose an etails of ct against n usti a le the remiums an islea ing epresentations as pointe out So the Consumer Affairs Agency formulated the "Approach to

representation of dishes served in menu and dish descriptions, etc un er the ct against n usti a le remiums an epresentations ui eline an release it to the pu lic on

arch

For the purpose of enhancing the structure of administrative oversight, we have engaged in the oversight operation over restaurants, department stores, etc. pursuant to the Act against n usti a le remiums an islea ing epresentations

Act by assigning Food Description Inspector, etc. from the inistr of griculture orestr an isheries as onsumer Affairs Agency staff for a certain period of time starting

e ruar

40

綿　100％

(16)

3 For informed food choices

Food Labeling Act

Food labeling provides consumers with important information for voluntary and rational food choices.

Many different acts provide the requirements for food labeling; the Food Sanitation Act provides the labeling requirements for ensuring food safety, the JAS Act establishes quality labeling standard, including labeling of ingredients and place of origin, to help consumers choose products, and the Health

romotion ct e nes nutrition la eling for protecting an promoting consumer health.

With the aim of improving this complex situation, the integrated Food Labeling Act was enacted in June 2013 and s h a l l c o m e i n t o f o r c e w i t h i n t w o y e a r s f o l l o w i n g i t s establishment.

groups oo for peci e ealth ses an oo ith utrient unction laims

oo for peci e ealth ses refers to an foo containing ingre ient ith functions for health an of ciall appro e to ma e claims for speci e health uses he onsumer ffairs oo ith utrient unction laims refers to an foo that ma e la ele ith nutrient function claims hese foo s ma

or noti cation to the national go ernment pro i e that it meets the esta lishe stan ar s an speci cations speci e

istri utors etc to ma e ealth laims ase on scienti c

Relationships between JAS Act, Food Sanitation Act, and Health Promotion Act

J A

S A

ct

Ingredient lists quantity of contents Origin of foods

,etc.

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t

Food allergens Food additives ,etc.

Nutrition labeling

Special dietary uses labeling 　　　　　　　　　　 ,etc

Statement of identity Expiration date Storage condition

eneticall modiﬁed foods Manufacturer’s name and address

,etc. Integrated Food labeling System

Food for Speciﬁed

for Speciﬁed Health ses

ietar ﬁbers 　 romotion ct e nes nutrition la eling for protecting an

　　　　　　　　　　 eneticall modiﬁed foods

Food for Speciﬁed

for Speciﬁed Health ses

ietar ﬁbers 　

(17)

romotion ct e nes nutrition la eling for protecting an

he comprehensi e an integrate foo la eling s stem as enacte in compliance ith all la eling

Food for Speciﬁed

for Speciﬁed Health ses

ietar ﬁbers 　

3 Regulatory systems of Health Claims in Japan

romotion ct e nes nutrition la eling for protecting an

The Current System of Health Claims

Foods labeled with Health claims are categorized into two groups oo for peci e ealth ses an oo ith

utrient unction laims

oo for peci e ealth ses refers to an foo containing ingre ient ith functions for health an of ciall appro e to ma e claims for speci e health uses he onsumer ffairs Agency gives approval to each application.

oo ith utrient unction laims refers to an foo that ma e la ele ith nutrient function claims hese foo s ma be manufactured and distributed without any permission from

or noti cation to the national go ernment pro i e that it meets the esta lishe stan ar s an speci cations speci e by the Consumer Affairs Agency.

Health Claims promote consumers to improve dietary intake and enhance their health.

A new regulatory system is under consideration, which would authorize operators, such as manufacturers, importers, istri utors etc to ma e ealth laims ase on scienti c evidence on their own responsibility

he comprehensi e an integrate foo la eling s stem as enacte in compliance ith all la eling

Food for Speciﬁed

Health Uses

Allowed to indicate Claims

for Nutrient Function

Allowed to indicate Claims

for Speciﬁed Health ses

Vitamins Minerals

ietar ﬁbers

Oligosaccharides ,etc

Food with Nutrient

Function Claims

Foods

^Drugs

Prescription drugs

Over-the- counter drugs

Quasi-drugs (Ex.) Calcium is an essential nutrient

for the normal development of bones and teeth.

(Ex.) Helps maintain good GI condition.

(18)

Protecting consumers' rights

4 Protecting consumers' rights

Consumer Contract Act

Consumer Organization Collective Litigation System (Injunction demand)

When a consumer and business enter into a contract for any product or service is made, there is a disparity in amount of information and negotiation capability which the both parities own separately. Taking such circumstances into account and protecting consumers ene ts the onsumer ontract ct

came into effect in 2001.

ursuant to this ct consumers ma cancel an contract resulting from unjust solicitation. If a contract contains any unjust contractual clause, that contractual clause itself will be invalidated.

ince the intro uction of the onsumer rgani ation ollecti e itigation stem eman for n unction in a uali e consumer organi ation certi e the rime inister as of a there are such organi ations ma le a demand for injunction with respect to an unjust act by a business.

Now, there have been cases in which a business revised a contractual clause ue to a in unction eman le a uali e consumer organi ation t is hope that an usiness that has a eman for in unction le against itself ill go o er

its business activities and, if any act is found to be unlawful, promptly take action to address it.

To make the most of a demand for injunction for the purpose of preventing harm, it is vital that consumers provide information of their amage to a uali e consumer organi ation

The cases where an injunction demand was made are publicly liste on the e sites of the respecti e speci e uali e consumer organi ations an of the onsumer ffairs genc

he onsumer rgani ation ollecti e itigation stem amage reco er is a t o step litigation s stem for eli ering

ct on pecial easures oncerning i il ourt rocee ings for the ollecti e e ress for ropert amage ncurre

onsumers

s the intro uction of this s stem ill ring o n the amount

amages that oul ha e een if cult to reco er efore ill

speci e a ca inet or er that falls ithin three ears after it as promulgate ecem er an the onsumer ffairs genc is ma ing preparations for its forthcoming on the s stem as ell as pu lici ing it

Speciﬁed ualiﬁed protecting consumers ene ts the onsumer ontract ct

ursuant to this ct consumers ma cancel an contract

ince the intro uction of the onsumer rgani ation ollecti e itigation stem eman for n unction in a uali e consumer organi ation certi e the rime inister as of a there are such organi ations ma le a

contractual clause ue to a in unction eman le a uali e consumer organi ation t is hope that an usiness that has a eman for in unction le against itself ill go o er

information of their amage to a uali e consumer organi ation

liste on the e sites of the respecti e speci e uali e consumer organi ations an of the onsumer ffairs genc

he onsumer rgani ation ollecti e itigation stem amage reco er is a t o step litigation s stem for eli ering

ct on pecial easures oncerning i il ourt rocee ings for the ollecti e e ress for ropert amage ncurre

onsumers

s the intro uction of this s stem ill ring o n the amount

amages that oul ha e een if cult to reco er efore ill

speci e a ca inet or er that falls ithin three ears after it as promulgate ecem er an the onsumer ffairs genc is ma ing preparations for its forthcoming on the s stem as ell as pu lici ing it

Speciﬁed ualiﬁed

Whole booklet 消費者庁パンフレット｜消費者庁

Towards a Safe

and Prosperous Life

with Consumers’

Peace of Mind

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Table of Contents

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

To deliver a society

where every consumer

as a leading player can enjoy

a safe and prosperous

life with peace of mind

What is the Consumer

Affairs Agency all about?

Main functions of the Consumer Affairs Agency

1

4

5

6

7

8

2

C A A

3

Consumer Affairs Agency

Businesses

Consumers

1

Working to advance consumer

affairs policies

White Paper on Consumer Affairs

Consumer Basic Plan

Focused Measures from the “Consumer Basic Plan”

1

2

Towards safe daily living

Collecting, analyzing and releasing accident information

Prompt action to raise awareness of consumers

Consumer Accident Information Databank

Here is the URL of the Accident Information Databank: http://www.jikojoho.go.jp

2

Gathering information of recalled products

Consumer Safety Investigation Commission

2

Towards safe daily living

Protect Kids from Accidents! Project

2

2

Protecting consumers

from scams, etc.

Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

Act on Speciﬁc Commercial ransaction

easures pursuant to the Consumer Safet Act to address propert damage

re enting harm to ulnerable consumers li e seniors

we site:

http://www.caa.go.jp/in ormation/mimamori/index.html

Here is the URL of the Accident Information Databank: 　http://www.jikojoho.go.jp

Foo ^d

Sa ⁿ

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Promotio ⁿ

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