NCAC NEWS(Vol.21,No.3)
INDEX
Consumer Affairs Climate
- The annual summary of consumer issues reported to the 'E-mail for Consumer Problems' during one year: Focusing on issues examined during the Fiscal 2008
Activities of the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (hereinafter 'NCAC')
Surveys
- Increasingly notable consumer issues relating to wedding ceremonial halls and/or wedding reception services: No refunding of application fees or unreasonable demand for cancellation fees
- Membership fees demanded by a membership club that provides a number of privileges including cheaper tour packages: Intimidating cases asking for membership fee payments as well as court cases have been reported
- Problematic propane gas door-to-door sales: Notable particularly in the Kanto region
- Consumer issues involving private pension insurance sold at bank counters: A rapid increase has been seen in the number of consumer inquiries and complaints; particularly those raised from elderly consumers
Safety hazard information
- An umbrella inserted into the bicycle umbrella holder became caught in the front wheel causing serious injury
- Accidents caused by a breakage to tempered glass tableware: Broken pieces may fly off violently depending upon the type of tempered glass used
Product testing
- The strength of bicycle luggage racks: For the purpose of safer use of child seats
- Be aware of a potential fire disaster caused by a fish tank heater that continues to heat after it has accidentally come out of the water
- Germanium bracelets proclaimed to have positive health effects
- Gel bed mattresses proclaimed to be effective in cooling down the body temperature while sleeping: Examination of the actual effects and the duration of coolness
