NCAC NEWS(Vol.23,No.6)
Contents
1. NET Practical Living Information Online Network System I Consumer Affairs Climate 1 39th Survey of Trends in People s Livelihood Findings and Summa Responding to Dangers in and Safety from Daily Surroundings The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan NCAC conducted its 39th Survey of Trends in People s Livelihood from May to June 2011 Since 1971 this survey has sought to understand the environment surrounding consumers and changes in consumer awareness by surveying product and service dissatisfaction and harm and measures being taken to O NCAC BR tatty 9 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN address them as well as by surveying the circumstances of issues and social concerns for which the Center receives many consumer inquiries Under the topic of Responding to Dangers in and Safety from Daily Surroundings the NCAC has compiled survey findings for the year prior to the Great East Japan Earthquake regarding awareness of consumer wamings solicitations from unscrupulous businesses and coping with problem products in the house The following summarizes the findings 1 The year prior to the disaster Dissatisfaction and Harm from Purchased Products and Services Awareness of the NCAC and Local Consumer Centers as well as Consumer related Laws a The number of people experiencing dissatisfaction and or harm from purchased products and or utilized services was 33 1 Of these 58 3 had some2. decisions solely on TV commercials and other advertising images Rather select the product that suits your purposes based on a reasonably understanding of their specific features When you have problems with your device be sure to verify the circumstances under which the problems occur Do not blindly download applications without understanding what they are Before taking your device overseas be sure to verify how to configure your device and how charges are assessed while still in Japan In case of trouble consult your nearest local consumer center O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN B reful Using H hold Power Tools Accidents Incl vered Fingers and Internal Organ Injury Product Testing Background There are many kinds of power tools and they can be used for a wide range of tasks cutting opening holes shaving polishing and so on Recently while numerous consumer oriented products are available for purchase some home improvement centers have also begun renting power tools making them readily available even to those who do not buy them Power tools however convenient must be used with caution otherwise they can result in terrible unforeseen accidents Over the course of five years from the end of September 2006 through September 2011 there were 357 household power tool related inquiries registered with PIO NET Of these 19 inquiries were regarding actual harm e g while
3. purchase points Subsequently was instructed several times to reply in detail with my name bank name branch name account name and account number so used my card to purchase the 50 000 yen s worth of points needed to send the message and sent it Later still transferred my remaining money to the site operator to purchase points and exchange emails because was told it was necessary for communicating regarding the transfer setup but never received any money Currently l m being charged an additional 30 000 yen have nothing left to pay with Inquiry from a twenty something student Advice for consumers Be wary of emails saying you can receive money or easily eam a high income Don t make payments on the expectation of receiving future income Be especially cautious when sites charge fees every time their services are used to exchange messages or raise rankings 3 If you think you are in trouble immediately consult your nearest local consumer center or regional bar association 2 Troubles Accompanying the Rapid Rise of Smartphones Overview of Inquiries There has been a rapid increase in the spread of smartphones which like personal computers allow users to access various websites and download applications to extend their functionality At the same time users have encountered troubles because they have tended to use these new devices in similar ways to conventional mobile phones wit
4. test food for contamination it is best to consult with entities in possession of professional equipment Any measurement results obtained in accordance with the instructions for these devices and based on an understanding of their particular characteristics should be used with reference to published data in order to reach an overall judgment O NCAC BR tatty 9 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN
5. O NCAC NEWS From NAMIONG Consumer Afairs enler of Japar Vol 23 No 6 March 2012 For further details regarding each topic introduced below refer to the following URL which contains the actual text of the reports released PDF files Japanese only http www kokusen go jp news news html Inside of this issue I Consumer Affairs Climate P1 1 39th Survey of Trends in People s Livelihood Findings and Summary Responding to Dangers in and Safety from Daily Surroundings htto Awww kokusen go jp pdf n 20111201_1 pdf P2 2 Ten Major Topics for 2011 related to Consumer Affairs htto Avww kokusen go jp pdf n 20111208 _2 pdf Il National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan NCAC Activities P3 1 Overpriced Charges by Unscrupulous Dating Sites Exchanging Email on Sites that Lure People with the Promise of Earnings htto Awww kokusen go jp pdf n 20111201 3 1 pdf 2 Troubles Accompanying the Rapid Rise of Smartphones http Awww kokusen go jp pdf n 20111201_2 pdf 3 Be Careful Using Household Power Tools Accidents Include Severed Fingers and Internal Organ Injury http Awww kokusen go jp pdf n 20111208 _1 pdf 4 Issues with Dental Implants Physical Health Problems htto Avww kokusen go jp pdf n 20111222 2 pdf 5 Performance of Relatively Inexpensive Radiation Meters Round 2 htto www kokusen go jp pdf n 20111222 1 pdf Major abbreviated names ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution NCAC National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan PIO
6. atively Inexpensive Radiation Meters Round 2 Product Testing Background On September 8 2011 we published our Performance of Relatively Inexpensive Radiation Meters Since then citizens have discovered and publicized hot spots while new devices have entered the market As a result radiation meters continue to draw attention Given the circumstances we decided to examine additional radiation meters not included in our prior test Between the disaster on March 11 2011 and the end of November 2011 the number of radiation meter related inquiries registered with PIO NET was extremely high 680 inquiries Hence the NCAC tested these devices to judge whether relatively inexpensive radiation meters can accurately measure radioactive cesium Example Cases of Inquiries amp Complaints Case 1 bought a radiation meter by mail order but after two months of use the meter is stuck on zero It has a one year warranty but can t reach the company Inquiry from a woman in her 40s Case 2 bought a radiation meter by mail order but don t trust it because get identical readings in three separate prefectures l askedtoretumit fora refund but was refused Inquiry from a woman in her 30s Case 3 was worried about radiation contaminated food and so bought a radiation meter but don t understand how to use it asked the seller but they don t know how to use it either Inquiry from a woman in her 80s Test Results We te
7. ause they reduce the stress and encroachment on remaining teeth At the same time for the five year period since FY2006 there were 343 inquiries registered with PIO NET in which dental implants were said to have caused harm Among these there were many that claimed physical ailments lasted from several months to several years as well as some that claimed the issues caused by the procedure had impacted their daily lives Graph 3 lt Graph 3 gt Number of inquiries related to harmful dental implants 100 82 82 80 20 ik 49 38 40 Be 0 FY 2006 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 oO Example Cases of Inquiries amp Complaints Case 1 signed an implant contract at a clinic went to based on its homepage Five months after having teeth removed and the foundation implanted still have swelling and I m mentally wiped out There is no plan for treatment and I no longer have any confidence in the head physician Inquiry from a woman in her 50s Case 2 Six months ago called a dental clinic had seen in ads and on the internet They told me they would explain everything and should come right away so did After handing me a one sheet leaflet they immediately began the procedure The procedure was basically finished within a month but the teeth are loose and painful and I m unable to chew Inquiry from a man in his 60s Case 3 have a single implant on the upper left side Several days after the two s
8. ed when using the power tools Tools for which cases were received power saw power drill disk grinder chain saw power planer 3 Burns from hot blades When power tools were used for an extended time the blades and or body became hot Tools for which cases were received power drill 4 Accidents from use outside intended purposes Using tools outside their intended purposes was extremely dangerous making it difficult to maintain control of the tool and causing material to fly about Tools for which cases were received disk grinder Advice for consumers Whenever using power tools understand the inherent risks of using such tools and use them properly In particular be extremely cautious when using them for the first time i O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN Never use tools outside their intended purposes Always wear appropriate protective gear as directed by the operating instructions Also be careful that your clothing does not get caught in the tool and never wear cotton cloth work gloves 4 1 with Dental Implants Physical Health Problem Overview of Inquiries Dental implants involve the insertion of synthetic material into the bone where teeth have been lost and the fabrication of artificial teeth thereon Although dental implants are not covered by public health insurance dental implants are an effective means of improving QOL for people who have lost teeth bec
9. hout fully understanding their different characteristics While the total number of all mobile phone related inquiries in FY2010 16 917 inquiries has decreased slightly the number of smartphone related inquiries has increased annually from 9 of all mobile phone related inquiries in FY2010 to roughly 20 in FY2011 Graph 2 i O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN lt Graph 2 gt Total number of all mobile phone related inquiries and number of smartphone related inquiries 2000 20000 1500 15000 1000 10000 500 5000 0 0 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 E Smartphones e All mobile phones Example Cases of Inquiries amp Complaints Case 1 My smartphone began having problems after bought it It would lose power be unable to call be unable to receive messages freeze and so on So a month ago sent it in for repairs and had the circuit board replaced Afterwards it continued to have the same problems so contacted the mobile phone company but was told they hadn t heard of any similar cases The phone company recommended send the phone in again for repairs but I m worried the same problems will happen all over again since the company doesn t understand the cause l d like to terminate my contract Inquiry from a man in his 30s Case 2 charged my newly purchased smartphone but by noon the next day the battery was already dead and couldn t use it When told the sh
10. mise of Earnings Overview of Inquiries In recent years local consumer centers around Japan have continued to receive inquiries some 30 000 cases annually regarding dating sites Their methods have become increasingly clever and their charges are increasingly high Advertising banners and spam are sometimes problematic in the many inquiries received regarding dating sites but what is most important when it comes to avoiding trouble is for consumers to exercise sufficient caution Also noteworthy is the sudden increase in inquiries regarding sites that lure visitors interested in earning money inquiries regarding dating sites included people whose intention was to use the site to earn money because it said they could receive money or earn income but who instead had problems because they were charged fees for using the site The number of such inquiries in 2010 was double that of 2009 Graph 1 lt Graph 1 gt Number of Inquiries Related to Dating Sites 6000 40000 5000 30000 4000 3000 20000 2000 10000 1000 0 0 FY2006 FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 5 Lured by earnings All inquiries related to dating sites Example Cases of Inquiries amp Complaints Case 1 registered with the site after receiving an email telling me could exchange addresses with high income earners Next got an email saying could receive 8 000 000 yen in assistance To receive
11. op that the battery consumption was excessive and wanted them to exchange it they said this was the case with all smartphones am not satisfied with their explanation since the brochure says the phone is good for 400 continuous minutes of active talking and 230 continuous hours of passive reception If the battery really runs out this quickly want to cancel my contract Inquiry from a woman in her 40s Case 3 went to the mobile phone shop to have the battery replaced The clerk not only told me that my model was old and that newer ones have a longer battery life but that my monthly charges would remain virtually the same with a new device So decided to replace my phone After confirming several times that my current monthly payments were 3 000 yen and that my future payments would be virtually the same ordered a smartphone The clerk recommended a two tier fixed rate packet plan and told me that If you don t use the intemet and only send a dozen or so 400 character emails it would be a few hundred yen A month later my bill showed a charge of over 9000 yen So went to the shop but was told that packet charges for smartphones are high roughly 6000 yen even if never use the internet because of software updates want them to refund me the difference on the packet charges and exchange my phone for one that can use for around 3000 yen per month Inquiry from a man in his 50s Advice for consumers Do not base your
12. sted five brands of radiation meter not included in our previous test that are sold domestically in Japan and priced between 10 000 and 100 000 yen as well as one corrected reference brand The following are the main results of our testing 1 Measurement of natural background radiation The tested brands all produced higher readings than our reference brand 2 Measurement of gamma radiation emitted by cesium 137 While the tested brands showed a correlation between exposure rates and measured values and gave readings close to the exposure rate at 1uSv h or higher some brands gave incorrect measurements At low exposure rates around 0 1uSv h none of the devices provided accurate readings 3 Labeling Some brands carried labels indicating they could be used to measure foods but we conclude they could not be used to accurately measure trace contaminants at provisional regulation values Nearly all brands had labels indicating that their readings would stabilize after waiting a certain period of time after beginning measurement For these brands we confirmed that their readings did stabilize when measurements O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN were taken after waiting the specified time referred to on the label Advice for consumers O None of these relatively inexpensive radiation meters we tested would be able to measure radiation at or below provisional regulation values for food or water If you need to
13. the assistance then transferred several thousand yen as handling charge after which was charged tens of thousands of yen Over the course of three days ended up transferring about 1 800 000 but never received any income Inquiry from a woman in her 30s Case 2 When was using my mobile to search for information on part time work was shown an at home job for anyone with a mobile and just thirty minutes a day and sent a blank email in response Next got an email saying they would transfer 8 000 000 yen to me if would be a conversation partner assumed this was the job shown me O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN by the part time work site and paid the several thousand yen required to receive the money After that was charged tens of thousands of yen for various reasons ended up paying with my credit card but never received any income Inquiry from a woman in her 20s Case 3 live alone and was having a hard time paying bills This is when got an email on my mobile from someone offering to pay me money for listening to their troubles When revealed that my parents were hurting for money after the disaster the person said they would assist me with 300 000 yen All needed to do was following the instructions on the website to receive the money Next got an email from someone identifying himself as a banker who told me he was holding 300 000 yen and directed me to follow steps to
14. urgeries to remove the original tooth had severe bleeding The head physician explained that my gums were gone as a result of the two surgeries and believed him when he said it could be repaired so continued to see him It has been three years now and I m still left with false teeth the treatment unfinished _ I ve told the head physician that want to transfer to a university hospital but he sees that as a problem and refuses to agree so made an appointment on my own want him to give me the money I ve paid as well as my treatment records Inquiry from a woman in her 60s O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN Advice for consumers Whenever seeking dental implants consumer should not only gather sufficient information on their own but also request a full explanation of the risks from the dental physician prior to beginning treatment 2 After receiving dental implants be sure not only to have proper dental cleaning performed by your dentist but also have your implants regularly inspected 3 If you have suffered harm as a result of dental implants you should seek a second opinion if you remain unsatisfied you may wish to seek legal advice from your local bar association though fees may apply You should also provide information to your regional Medical Safety Support Center Iryo Anzen Shien Center dental association health center and or local consumer center 5 Performance of Rel
15. using a power saw to cut rubber squares at home the power saw slipped out of my hand and into the air severing the middle finger of my right hand and 21 were regarding potential hazards Example Cases of Inquiries amp Complaints Case 1 While using a power saw to cut rubber squares at home the power saw slipped out of my hand and into the air severing the middle finger of my right hand Inquiry from a man in his 30s Case 2 When using a power saw at home was injured as my hand got pulled in when my glove got caught in the saw Inquiry from a man in his 80s Case 3 When using a chain saw to chop wood was injured when my pants got caught in the saw Inquiry from a man in his 40s Case 4 had a circular blade attached to a disk grinder at the store Even though they attached for me they warned me at the time to be careful because attaching it wasn t a good idea While trying to cut a tree cut my leg with the tool because it was shaking so badly The injury took two to three weeks with stitches to fully heal The user manual forbids using the tools this way Inquiry from a man in his 50s Reconstruction Testing 1 Accidents involving kickback The power tool or material flew up and back while cutting Tools for which cases were received power saw chain saw 2 Accidents involving snagged gloves and clothing Cotton cloth work gloves and gloves that are typically baggy at the finger tips did get caught or pull
16. ved and on items that drew social attention during the year as issues of consumer concem In 2011 consumers encountered various problems in connection with the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11 Debate over the role of NCAC also became an occasion to draw attention to the role of consumer affairs administration o Ten Major Topics for 2011 related to Consumer Affairs The Great East Japan Earthquake Received numerous related inquiries Widespread anxiety regarding radioactive substances Relentless stream of theatrical solicitations with offers from buyers Bankruptcy of Agura Bokujo which operated a Wagyu cattle raring business Wheat allergies including unconsciousness caused by former Cha no Shizuku soap Group food poisoning resulted from yukke raw beef Numerous Japanese Supreme Court rulings made regarding rental housing Inline with regulatory streamlining regulations were strengthened against unscrupulous apartment solicitations and door to door precious metal buyers i O NCAC BRPaty7 NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS CENTER of JAPAN The introduction of collective consumer redress for damages and other such institutions that protect consumer interests continues to be studied Reexamination of the NCAC s role continues to be discussed ll National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan NCAC Activities 1 Overpri har nscr l Dating Sites Exchanging Email on Sites that Lure People with the Pro
17. where made inquiries or communicated their complaints b The number of people aware of the NCAC or their local consumer center was 80 8 Of these 9 4 had used them The top reason 59 8 for using centers was to consult about complaints c The number of people aware of cooling off was 85 8 Around 10 were aware of the Consumer Contract Act and Consumer Basic Act 2 The year prior to the disaster Responding to Dangers in and Safety from Daily Surroundings a The number of people aware of consumer warnings i e wamings issued by NCAC local consumer centers etc regarding troubling commercial practices and or unscrupulous businesses was 60 7 These wamings were considered useful by 90 2 b The number of people solicited through troubling commercial practices and or by unscrupulous businesses was 28 4 Of these 42 0 took countermeasures including making inquiries c The number of people aware of food recall notices was 65 0 Of these 4 4 had problem recalled foods in their houses The number who responded to recall notices was 86 7 d The number of people aware of product recall notices was 73 0 Of these 16 4 had problem recalled products in their houses The number who responded to recall notices was 89 2 2 Ten Major Topics for 2011 rel nsumer Affair The NCAC has compiled and published a list of the Ten Major Topics related to Consumer Affairs for that year based on the many consumer inquiries recei
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