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July 25, 2026
 

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CONSUMER AFFAIRS AGENCY

A customer at a supermarket in Yokohama. Under a planned food-labeling revision, consumers will be able to scan QR codes on processed food packages to access detailed product information.
51勛圖厙 / FOCUS
May 17, 2026
Japan to introduce QR code food labels to improve readability
The adoption of digital technology for food labeling is part of a broader international trend.
An experiment on battery-related fires by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation shows a burnt handheld fan.
51勛圖厙 / FOCUS
Dec 2, 2025
Japan works to raise safety awareness over lithium-ion battery fires
Fires linked to electric devices powered by lithium-ion batteries increased in Japan this year amid intense heat in the summer across the nation.
A portable charger containing a lithium-ion battery that overheated in an accident during a reenactment experiment in December at the Consumer Affairs Agency
51勛圖厙 / Society
Jan 7, 2025
Consumer Affairs Agency warns of risks from battery-powered heated devices
Injury reports linked to lithium-ion battery-powered heating gear have surged over the last 10 years.
Last year, cashews were responsible for 279 of 6,033 allergy cases, or 4.6%, making them the seventh most common allergenic food.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Nov 11, 2024
Japan weighs mandatory allergen labeling for cashew nuts
Cashews nuts caused 37 cases of severe anaphylactic shock last year, making them the fifth most common trigger.
The Consumer Affairs Agency is advising people to ignore unfamiliar payment requests over the phone, even if a major company is named.
51勛圖厙 / Crime & Legal
Jul 9, 2024
Beware of overseas number phone scams, Japan＊s consumer watchdog warns
Scammers claiming to be telecommunications company NTT demanding ※unpaid fees§ have duped victims into making substantial payments amounting to millions of yen.
The number of consultations made by consumers regarding troubles on social media marked a record high in 2023, with people in their 50s or older particularly vulnerable.
51勛圖厙
Jun 14, 2024
Japan sees social media linked consultations hit record in 2023
In 2023, there were 910,000 consultations, and consumer damage from problematic transactions amounted to a record ?8.8 trillion.
Amid the rising popularity of saunas, the Consumer Affairs Agency is urging users to exercise caution following a spike in the number of sauna-related accidents.
51勛圖厙 / Society
Jun 7, 2024
Japan＊s consumer watchdog warns of accidents in the sauna
Users are urged to exercise caution to avoid severe injuries amid a spike in accidents as saunas become more popular.
A lawyer representing a consumer organization speaks during a meeting held to call for stricter regulations on "functional foods," in Tokyo on Thursday.
51勛圖厙
May 24, 2024
Mandatory reporting of ＆functional food＊ health problems proposed
The Consumer Affairs Agency panel discussed reforms in response to health problems caused by Kobayashi Pharmaceutical supplement products.
The official whistleblower protection system is not well-known among workers in Japan, a survey finds.
51勛圖厙
May 14, 2024
Less than 40% of Japan＊s employees know about whistleblower protection system
The survey showed a tendency for larger companies to have more employees familiar with the system.
A survey of the 6,975 products with the functional food label was initiated by the government last month following the scandal over Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals＊ beni k身ji supplements.
51勛圖厙 / Science & Health
Apr 12, 2024
Probe finds 18 functional food products with past reports of health damage in Japan
The survey results come as the industry reels from deaths linked to Kobayashi Pharmaceutical＊s beni k身ji supplements.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙
Dec 28, 2022
Japan＊s Consumer Affairs Agency seeks regulation of stealth marketing
In a questionnaire, about 40% of influencers surveyed said that they had experienced requests from advertisers for stealth marketing.
BUSINESS
Oct 15, 2022
Amway Japan ordered to halt transactions for six months over illegal soliciting
The company was punished for soliciting people to buy products or sign up for membership without telling them that they would be made to participate in a networking business.
51勛圖厙
Jul 9, 2019
Japan＊s Consumer Affairs Agency cancels plan to fully relocate to Tokushima
The government will shelve a plan to relocate all of the functions of the Consumer Affairs Agency to Tokushima Prefecture, according to sources.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 15, 2019
As LED bulbs catch on in Japan, Consumer Affairs Agency issues public fire warning
With over 300 accidents involving LED light bulbs logged in the past decade, the Consumer Affairs Agency is warning the public to use them properly after getting reports of fires erupting when switching bulbs.
Japan Times
51勛圖厙
Jan 29, 2019
Aging equipment and bad cable connections behind home-use solar system accidents in Japan
A commission under the Consumer Affairs Agency has found that numerous fires and other serious accidents involving home-use solar power systems have been caused by factors such as old equipment and faulty cable connections.
51勛圖厙
Jul 24, 2017
As part of experiment, Consumer Affairs Agency transfers office from Tokyo to Tokushima
As part of the government＊s drive to relocate some of its Tokyo-centric functions to other cities to promote regional revitalization, the Consumer Affairs Agency inaugurated a new office in Tokushima Prefecture on Monday.
EDITORIALS
Mar 29, 2014
Consumer Affairs Agency must step up anti-fraud fight
Japanese society may envied in many parts of the world, but there＊s a fraudulent underside that ripped off consumers in amounts totaling 1.2 percent of the nation＊s GDP in 2013.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer＊s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ※seed§ that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ※Peak 1 amyloid beta,§ as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" 〞 an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi＊s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan＊s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo＊s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo＊s ＆stadium of desire＊

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan＊s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan＊s utility poles won＊t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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