July 10, 2020 Administrative Guidance to Japan Post Co., Ltd. regarding Unapproved Side Jobs of Certified Mail Authentication Officers

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has given administrative guidance to Japan Post Co., Ltd. to rebuild the corporate system for the operation of the institution of certified mail authentication officers based on the Postal Act (Act No. 165 of 1947; hereafter referred to as “the Act”).

Overview

Certified mail authentication officers cannot have side business without approval from the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications under the provisions of Article 63, Paragraph 2 of the Act. There were cases of certified mail authentication officers having side business without approval from the Minister for Internal Affairs and communications. Against them, the Minister took reprimanding action on April 28, 2020. However, 345 similar cases were found from a survey conducted by Japan Post Co., Ltd. on and after April 28, 2020 (143 cases related to photovoltaic power generation, 81 cases of working as fire brigade members, 49 cases of working as farmers, and 10 cases related to real estate rental).
Furthermore, it was also found that one employee who was not a certified mail authentication officer engaged in an authentication transaction.
Under these circumstances, MIC gave administrative guidance to Japan Post Co., Ltd. for the prompt restructuring of its system, including the careful provision of information to their employees regarding the operation of the certified mail authentication officers system and the clarification of the roles and responsibilities of each head office, branch office, and post office.

Additionally, MIC plans to take similar disciplinary action as before for certified mail authentication officers who were newly found to be having side jobs (MIC will take action separately against those who concurrently worked as fire brigade members).