News
December 2024
November 2024
- Prepare your digital legacy plan so that your family will not be bothered by your contracts hidden in your smartphone
- Beware of water dispenser sales tactics! Rental contract or purchase contract?
- Consumer problems related to online food delivery service: tips for trouble-free use
September 2024
- Door-to-door purchase? You may be targeted for crime! Jewelry taken away from some victims
- Summary of consumer issues experienced by people aged 65 and more
- FY2023 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
August 2024
- FY2023 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2023 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer center Japan (CCJ)
- FY2023 Summary of inquiries received by Consumer Hotline for Tourists
June 2024
May 2024
- Social media have led to a sharp rise in consumer troubles due to being invited to buy financial products and services by people claiming to be celebrities or to be connected with them
- Use caution when signing up for membership! You may be directed to a subscription page on another site without knowing it - the "Start" button can be foreign ad
- Beware of accidents involving children riding as passengers at the backs of bicycles! - Some have even gotten a broken femur from hitting an obstacle -
- Children can drown due to floats with arm rings! - Do not assume they are safe just because they are wearing one -
April 2024
December 2023
October 2023
September 2023
- Trouble with online hotel and flight booking! Carefully check contract details such as conditions for cancellation by yourself
- Cannabinoid "THCH" is designated substance! Never obtain and use products including THCH
- FY2022 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
August 2023
- FY2022 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2022 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer center Japan (CCJ)
- FY2022 Summary of inquiries received by Consumer Hotline for Tourists
July 2023
- Glasses susceptible to fracture due to residual strain at the edge! If you have one, contact your seller
- Helmet use strongly recommended for riding bicycle or specified small moped! Current safety standards for bicycle helmets and cautions for children under one year
June 2023
- Protect children from firework-related burns! Children aged three or younger are most injured. In some cases, clothing catches fire
- Be careful! Consumers in their 20s tricked into borrowing money for side jobs and investments through remote-control app
May 2023
April 2023
- Do not put MCT oil, perilla oil, etc. in expanded polystyrene container! Such oil can transform and damage the container
- Does the currency symbol "¥" really mean Japanese yen? If you don't check it carefully, you may be charged nearly 20 times more than you expected!
March 2023
January 2023
December 2022
October 2022
September 2022
- Beware of breakage of TV display! Cracks on the screen and wet can lead to expensive repair costs
- Ten consumer issues the elderly and people around them should keep in mind
- Repeated injuries from accidental swallowing of powerful neodymium magnetic balls!
- Copyright infringement? Use of file sharing software is very risky!
- FY2021 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
August 2022
- FY2021 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2021 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer center Japan (CCJ)
- FY2021 Summary of inquiries received by Consumer Hotline for Tourists
- Be careful with investment in crypto-assets solicited by online friends! Don't believe easy ways to make money
- I can't see my fave! Surge of trouble over purchase of resold tickets
July 2022
June 2022
- Beware of home repair trouble after natural disaster! Residents in devastated areas need extra caution
- "Although I just wanted to try it with a discount, a subscription contract was made!" - revised Act on Specified Commercial Transactions takes effect to crack down on subscription traps!
April 2022
- Beware of injuries and sickness during personal strength training! Unexpected pitfall when trying to get fit in the pandemic
- Free of charge if promoting the product and service on social media? Beware of sales messages like "100% cashback" and "No expense"
- Beware of fraudulent tactics exploiting the situation in Ukraine
March 2022
- Prevent infants from swallowing resin balls which swell in water! (follow-up)
- E-scooter riding on public road requires driver's license, structure and protective gear in conformity with safety standard
- Romance investment scams on the rise! Prearranged encounter?
February 2022
- Beware of technical support scams! Security warning pop-up and beep sound are fake! Never call the number nor pay with e-money or credit card!
- Beware of broken magnetic blocks! Accidentally swallowed magnets perforate child's stomach and intestine
December 2021
- Prevent infants from swallowing resin balls which swell in water!
- Ten major topics for 2021 related to consumer affairs
November 2021
- Growing problems in pet purchase from breeders: Take precautions before purchase
- Trouble with COVID-19 test kits: Carefully read precautions in advance and use one suitable for the purpose
- Measurement of caffeine in beverages: you might take too much without noticing!
October 2021
- Baby suffocated with a small loaf of bread! Break bread into small pieces and pay attention till a baby finishes eating and swallowing
- Questionnaire survey on labeling of food products subject to infant standard
- Do you think "I have canceled" or "I haven't signed up"? It might be a wrong idea. You might be charged for a subscription unexpectedly!
September 2021
- Carefully handle small diameter frying pans and saucepans - they may fall while cooking, handle may burn out and fixation screw may corrode
- Consumer problems experienced by people over 60 in FY2020: Record high in category of mail-order sales affected by COVID-19 pandemic
- Caution! Infants may be scalded by steam emitted from home appliances: rice-cookers, thermos pots, kettles and steam humidifiers
- FY2020 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
August 2021
- FY2020 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2020 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer center Japan (CCJ)
- FY2020 Summary of inquiries received by Consumer Hotline for Tourists
July 2021
- Check boys' swimwear lining! Penile skin may get stuck in mesh lining
- Beware of new "moneymaking scheme" using online salon
- Website with multilingual chatbot dedicated to Consumer Hotline for Tourists launched
June 2021
- Inquiries received by Consumer Hotline on COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud (3): Risky to easily respond to message related to COVID-19 vaccination!
- Caution! Contract for selling your house is not subject to cooling-off! Elderly consumers are prone to trouble. Don't easily sign a contract without knowing details
May 2021
April 2021
- Inquiries received by Consumer Hotline on COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud: Fraudsters often say "There's a way to raise the vaccination priority level," "Vaccine is available for a fee," etc.
- Beware of accidental ingestion of aromatic solution! Infants may drink reed diffuser solution and get hospitalized
March 2021
December 2020
- Hypochlorous acid water, claimed to be effective against viruses on surfaces
- Watch out for air bed leaks
- Ten major topics for 2020 related to consumer affairs
- Beware of trampoline accidents in play facilities! In the worst case, bone fracture or nerve damage
November 2020
- Be careful with fake delivery notice through SMS. Do not access the URL! Never enter ID or password!
October 2020
September 2020
- Consumer problems experienced by people over 60 in FY2019: Record high among people over 80! Further attention is needed
- Caution! Troubles over online shopping on the increase affected by new normal of consumption
- Summary of consumer affairs inquiries related to COVID-19 (data through August 2020)
- Ethanol concentration of alcohol sanitizers, disinfectants and hand cleaners (liquid or gel type)
- Complete at home? Easy to get thin? Beware of weight loss ads for online medical beauty services! In some cases, self-injection of diabetes medication for slimming
- FY2019 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
August 2020
- Break car glass with emergency escape hammer in case of submersion! Prepare for flood
- FY2019 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2019 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer center Japan (CCJ)
- FY2019 Summary of inquiries received by Consumer Hotline for Tourists
July 2020
- FY2019 Summary of "Consumer Trouble Mailbox" - Your information helped improve price indication and terms of service!
- Caution! Hot yoga may cause dizziness, hot flashes, nausea and headache during or after a lesson
May 2020
April 2020
- Beware of consumer problems caused by social media! Not only teens but also middle-aged and senior adults get involved in
- Information on fragrance of fabric softener in 2020
March 2020
- Caution! Child may fall from diaper changing table! Risk of head injury is high and hospital stay may be required
- Beware of breakage of manual wheelchairs! Frame or wheel may break during use
February 2020
- Beware of unscrupulous sales tactics capitalizing on coronavirus (quick report)
- Think twice before signing a contract for self-beauty treatment! While low price and convenience highlighted, there's been problems related to injuries and cancellation
- Gift of love? It might be a sign of international romance scam
January 2020
- Beware of new type of billing fraud! You might receive scam calls about unsettled charges or settlement on damages
- Summary of the Year Since the Launch of the "Consumer Hotline for Tourists" - 65% of the inquiries are in Chinese -
December 2019
- Surge of inquiries about regular purchase! "Although I intended to try with discount, a regular purchase contract was made," "Unable to cancel," "Too expensive to afford", etc.
- Ten major topics for 2019 related to consumer affairs
- Caution! When stroller falls over, baby may fall from it and injure head: sometimes hospitalized!
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
- Troubles reported to Consumer Hotline for Tourists: partly caused by differences of culture and custom?
- Skin damage caused by tattoo sticker and face paint, such as irritation when removing! People with metal allergies and children need special care
- Over 400,000 troubles experienced by consumers aged 60 or older! Learn from current problems to prevent them in the future
August 2019
- Protect children from online trouble as family members! Trouble can be triggered by online game, adult website, regular purchase of health foods or cosmetics, SNS, etc.
- Surge in the number of inquiries about eyelash essence! Efficacy and labeling examined
- FY2018 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2018 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
- FY2018 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer Center Japan (CCJ)
- Quality survey of health food tablets and capsules - they might look like pharmaceutical products, but actually not!
July 2019
- FY2018 Summary of "Consumer Trouble Mailbox" - Your information helped improve food labeling for allergens!
- Beware of accidents when playing with a float in the sea!
June 2019
- Increase of inquiries about problems when a utility company is closing down or when a consumer is switching to another supplier
- Do not borrow money from someone you met on SNS!
- Rise in the number of inquiries about trouble over online ticket resale
- Beware of unexpected cash on delivery parcels and unrelated foreign packets
May 2019
- Beware of contractual trouble over support services for the elderly such as guarantor service
- Beware of leakage from a smartphone case containing liquid: shiny but risky
April 2019
- Beware of money making offers: they say "you can get a reward from advertising goods on SNS" and induce you to make a large purchase
- Inquiries about billing fraud exceeded 200,000! If you don't remember anything about it, never contact the sender
March 2019
- Are you okay with dental implants? No end of complaints about dental implants
- Acid foot care products may cause chemical burns or serious pain!
February 2019
- Capsule sponge toy entered the body of a small child! After suffering from unexplained symptoms for 4 months, the girl had the object removed with general anesthesia.
- Be careful when buying tickets for Rugby World Cup Japan 2019™! Make sure you are accessing the official website before purchase.
January 2019
December 2018
- Be careful when using home emergency service for faucet leak repair, unlocking, etc.
- Ten major topics for 2018 related to consumer affairs
- Ignore fake notice including your mobile phone number
- Consumer Hotline for Tourists has been launched.
November 2018
- Ignore fake notice claiming to be from District Court Administration Office
- Read description before using an hourly parking lot. If you use without reading it, you may be charged an unexpected hefty fee.
- NCAC Launches "Consumer Hotline for Tourists"
- Beware of fake security warning pop-ups when using the Internet
- Results of telephone consultation through "Over-60 Consumer Trouble Dial 110"
October 2018
- Ignore fake notice claiming to be from National Lawsuit Notification Center under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice
- Beware of fake shopping sites for winter clothes and shoes! Many troubles in winter
- Beware of contractual trouble at gyms; inability to cancel, expensive cancellation fee, etc.
September 2018
- Trouble over mobile package contract, use of smartphone, etc. - rise in inquiries from elderly consumers
- Trouble after taken in by sales talk "Why not repair your house using insurance money ?" - rise in inquiries from elderly consumers -
- FY2017 Summary of "Consumer Trouble Mail Box"
August 2018
- FY2017 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries received through PIO-NET
- FY2017 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data received through PIO-NET
- FY2017 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross-border Consumer Center Japan (CCJ)
- Beware of quick fortune-making ideas related to side job, investment, etc. Soaring problems about information sold on the Internet
- Regularly check video recorded by dashboard camera. It may fail to record due to SD card abnormality.
July 2018
- Beware of heat, leakage or explosion of batteries! Check batteries in emergency flashlight, radio, etc.
- It wasn't supposed to be like this! Contractual trouble over price or service of cleaning out belongings of the departed
June 2018
- New private lodging business rules have been introduced! Before booking private lodging, confirm the total charges and cancellation policy.
- Cyanide compounds contained in health tea using loquat seeds - Beware of excessive intake because decomposition thereof in the body may produce hydrocyanic acid
April 2018
- Beware of various kinds of troubles related to cryptocurrencies
- Accidental ingestion of high powered magnetic balls - infant's digestive tract got holes, and the magnetic balls were removed by laparotomy
March 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
- Caution - Children are prone to burns from hot surfaces. Window of a grill unit remains hot even after use.
- Intended to sell disused articles, but happened to sell precious metals! Many old people got in trouble with door-to-door buyers, especially when sorting out belongings.
August 2017
- FY2016 Summary of Consumer Affairs Inquiries registered to PIO-NET
- FY2016 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Data registered to PIO-NET
- FY2016 Summary of inquiries about cross-border consumer disputes received by Cross Border Consumer Center Japan (CCJ)
- Beware of eye damage from contact lenses (input through Doctor Mail Box)
July 2017
- Beware of accidents when using a grass cutter!
- Don't reply to unfamiliar email or SMS! Spam emails may drag you into trouble!
June 2017
- FY2016 Summary of "Consumer Trouble Mail Box"
- Trouble with a foreign multilevel marketing company that claims no relation to Japanese laws - Company is based abroad!? I was told that I could earn money by introducing someone.
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
January 2017
December 2016
- Ten major topics for 2016 related to consumer affairs
- Beware of handling hair dryers; you might get burned from ignition or sparks, and your hair might be sucked and caught
November 2016
- Car sun visor shield suddenly flipped down and blocked driver's view; Stop using it if fixing is loose
- Results of telephone consultation through "Over-60 Consumer Trouble Dial 110"
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
- Beware leakage from a smartphone case containing liquid
- Electricity retail liberalization has started - Collect right information and fully understand your contract details! Watch out for opportunistic solicitations -
March 2016
- Never enter a rip-off bar! - Cheerful mood vanishes, ends up with hefty charges -
- Full liberalization of the electricity retail market in 3 weeks - Collect right information and fully understand contract details! Watch out for opportunistic solicitations -
February 2016
- Full liberalization of the electricity retail market in less than 50 days! - Collect right information and fully understand contract details! Watch out for opportunistic solicitations -
- Beware problems related to solicitations of optical fiber broadband service
September 2015
August 2015
- A pile of troubles among elderly people! Inquiries about IP phone services are growing
- Consumer troubles seen from the aspect of natural disasters - from troubles over repair work of devastated houses to piggybacking scams -
- FY2014 Summary of Consumer Affairs Consultations received through PIO-NET
- FY2014 Summary of Harmful and Hazardous Incident Information received through PIO-NET
- Unexpected billing for cosmetics purchased through advertisement on SNS - The counterparty found out to be an overseas fraudulent trader although the transaction was made on a website in Japanese!? -
- 100 thousand yen for a laundry pole!? - Surge in troubles over traveling sales again -
July 2015
- Growing among people in their twenties! Inquiries and complaints about at-home affiliate and drop-shipping marketing: Get rich by introducing friends? Some people are even pushed into debt to make payments
- FY2014 Summary of "Consumer Trouble Mail Box"
June 2015
- Beware suspicious phone calls exploiting the personal information leak at the Japan Pension Service (the second report)
- The never-ending safety hazards of eyelash extension treatments
- Beware suspicious phone calls exploiting the personal information leak at the Japan Pension Service
