일본 소비자정책의 전환과 지방 소비자행정의 동향 -소비생활센터의 축소 및 민간위탁 현황을 중심으로

Changes in Consumer Policy and Trends of Local Consumer Administration in Japan - Focusing on the Situations of Reduction and Entrustment to Civil Consumer Groups on Consumer Centers

This study reviews trends of Japanese consumer policies, with particular attention to the situations of operating local consumer centers, in an effort to find ways to develop rapidly changing local consumer administration practices in Japan. Budget cut on consumer administration by the Japanese government has resulted in a reduction of consumer centers in Todohuken, while new consumer policy, which seeks greater consumer independence, has encouraged civil consumer groups' participation in consumer administration. In particular, entrustment of consumer centers to civil groups has increasingly stimulated more region-oriented local consumer policies and enhanced the efficiency of consumer administration. To activate local consumer administration, it seems necessary to provide assistance to entrusted civil groups, strengthen business regulations of Todohuken administration, and ensure more effective operation practices of civil consumer groups.