Basic framework of consumer policy
Part 1 : Today's consumer issues and consumers' behavior/attitude
Chapter 4 : Development of consumer policy
Section 1 : Basic framework of consumer policy
Easy access to consumer affairs consultation service
- The Consumer Affairs Agency and the Consumer Commission were established in 2009, and since then there has always been a Minister of State for consumer affairs. Under the new framework, the Consumer Affairs Agency gathers information on consumer accidents centrally and prevents the recurrence and spread of harms to consumers by implementing programs based on information sharing and collaboration with related institutions and by strictly enforcing laws.
Nearly 80% of consumers recognize local consumer affairs centers
- The local consumer affairs centers are statutory institutions responsible for providing consultations on consumer complaints and helping to resolve them. Every prefecture is legally required to set up a local consumer affairs center, and every municipality is to try to do so (obligation to make effort). Nearly 80% of consumers said they knew about local consumer affairs centers, but only about 12% said they trusted it.
