September 10, 2021 Result of Appeal for Opinions on Draft of 2021 Report of Study Group on Consumer Protection Rules, Release of 2021 Report of Study Group on Consumer Protection Rules, and Establishment of Contact Desk related to Mobile Phone Sales Agents

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) made an appeal for opinions from July 15 through August 18, 2021, on a draft report of a Study Group on Consumer Protection Rules (Chief investigator: NIIMI Ikufumi, professor emeritus, Meiji University). Based on the appeal for opinions, a report has been compiled and is now available.
In addition, with consideration of the content of this report, MIC has set up Contact Desk related to mobile phone sales agents. This desk will collect sales agents’ information on any inappropriate actions and telecommunications carriers’ evaluation indicators, instructions, pressures, or inactions that may be contributing to sales agents’ such actions.

1. Background

The Study Group on Consumer Protection Rules (Chief investigator: NIIMI Ikufumi, professor emeritus, Meiji University) is constantly examining and reviewing the current consumer protection rules, which have been enhanced and strengthened by the 2015 and 2019 amendments to the Telecommunications Business Act.
In the 21st meeting in June 2020, the Study Group started vigorously discussing current issues in light of the impact of the spread of COVID-19 continuing from last year and changes in the overall social environment, including the development and deepening of the Internet of Things (IoT). As a result, a certain direction was obtained. Accordingly, the Study Group compiled the result into a draft report for 2021.
As a result of the appeal for opinions on the draft from July 15, 2021 through August 18, 2021, MIC received 41 opinions.
The Study Group compiled the report based on these opinions and the results of discussions at the Study Group’s 34th meeting (held on September 8, 2021). Accordingly, MIC has decided to release the same.
With consideration of the content of this report, MIC has set up Contact Desk related to mobile phone sales agents. The desk will collect sales agents’ information on any inappropriate actions and telecommunications carriers’ evaluation indicators, instructions, pressures, or inactions that may be contributing to sales agents’ such actions.

2. Utilization of the information provision method and contents provided by Contact Desk related to mobile phone sales agents

Considering the contents of the information provided, MIC will continuously check if the evaluation indicators of telecommunications carriers are unfair by monitoring whether or not acts suspected of violating laws and regulations are being performed at actual sales sites.
MIC will share provided information with the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Fair Trade Commission, as necessary.

URL for publication: https://www.soumu.go.jp/english/index.html