September 1, 2026 Results of Opinion Exchange Meeting with Telecommunications Carriers on Strengthening Countermeasures to Prevent Victimization by Special Fraud and Other Crimes

　On August 31, 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) held a meeting with telecommunications carriers and their industry associations to exchange views on strengthening countermeasures to prevent victimization by special fraud and other crimes

1　Dates the meetings were held

Monday, August 31, 2026

2　Participants

• MIC: Ogihara, Director-General, Telecommunications Bureau, and others
• Telecommunications industry associations: Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA), Telecom Services Association (TELESA), Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA), and Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA)
• Telecommunications carriers: NTT, Inc., KDDI Corporation, SoftBank Corp., and Rakuten Mobile, Inc.

3　 Overview

　Recently, the number of victims of special fraud is on the rise. In response, the Japanese government has been promoting collaborative public-private sector initiatives based on documents such as the “Comprehensive Measures to Protect People from Frauds 2.0,” which was adopted at the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures against Crime on April 22, 2025. The MIC is also promoting various measures based on this adoption and in cooperation with telecommunications carriers and other entities.

　On July 28, 2026, the Ministerial Meeting Concerning Measures against Crime adopted “Emergency Measures to Prevent the Spread of Fraud and Stalking” in light of the current critical situation and to urgently implement countermeasures against special fraud and other crimes. Based on this, further measures against special fraud and other crimes are required in the telecommunications sector as well; accordingly, on July 29, 2026, the MIC issued a request to telecommunications carriers and their industry associations regarding the further strengthening of countermeasures against special fraud and other crimes. At this opinion exchange meeting, the MIC once again explained the contents of the request, while telecommunications carriers and their industry associations explained the measures they are currently taking and those they plan to take in the future.

　The MIC will take this opportunity to work with telecommunications carriers and their industry associations to promote more effective countermeasures.