## Section 3

## Establishment of a Safe and Secure Ubiquitous Network Society

### 1. Consumer administration in relation to telecommunications services

## (1) Promotion of ICT services that reflect the public viewpoint

Due to new ICT services and the distribution of information through new technologies which has created a need to clarify relations between such services and intellectual property and other rights, the MIC has held the Study Group Concerning Various Problems with ICT Services Based on User’s Viewpoints since April 2009, and the group compiled and released its first draft proposal in August 2009 and second draft proposal in May 2010. In April 2009, four issues were decided upon, namely (1) Internet map information services, (2) illegal music distribution, (3) services utilizing LifeLog, and (4) revision of guidelines for protection of personal information, and the results of deliberations on (1)(2) and (4) were released as a draft proposal. In May 2010, the results of deliberations on issue (3) and on two new issues identified after the release of the first draft proposal ((5) CGM [Customer Generated Media], such as SNS and blogs, and (6) safety and security measures to be implemented when information is transferred onto mobile computers) were released as a second draft proposal.

## (2) Promotion of consumer protections in the telecommunications services sector

The MIC formulated the Guidelines Telecommunications Business Act Consumer Protection Rules in March 2004 with the goal of making consumers secure when using telecommunication services, and in April 2010 put them into effect in conjunction with the enactment of the Telecommunications Business Act. In the report of the Panel on the Telecommunications Service Users prepared in February 2009, it was proposed that inclusion of contact information and means of contact, in case of change or dissolution of contracts, in explanations when contracts for telecommunications services are concluded, and recommendation of a basic policy of tailoring solicitations to the individual characteristics of users, be added to these guidelines. In response to this proposal, the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business Act was partially revised in July 2009, and the Guidelines revised as well.

## (3) Dealing with illegal/harmful materials on the Internet

The Internet has penetrated Japan at a remarkable pace and has been used as a form of social infrastructure, serving as an indispensable part of people’s lives. At the same time, the rapid penetration of the Internet has also generated negative effects, such as the transmission of harmful information.

The MIC has been taking actions to deal with these issues, including the establishment of a consultation center to contact regarding harmful information, and will continue to take further steps in the future.

## (4) Measures against nuisance e-mails

A wide variety of measures have been taken against nuisance e-mails, including the passage of the Act on Regulation of Transmission of Specified Electronic Mail and various voluntary efforts by the telecommunications sector. However, nuisance e-mail transmission methods have become increasingly devious and cunning, and the MIC is taking a wide variety of steps in response to the appearance of new problems such as the increasing number of nuisance e-mails sent from overseas. At the 171 $ ^{st} $ session (2009 ordinary Diet session), the Establishment of Consumer Agency and Consumer Committee Act (Act No. 48 of 2009) was passed and went into effect on September 1.

With the establishment of the Consumer Affairs Agency and The Consumer Commission, the relevant regulations have been modified as well to give the Consumer Affairs Agency co-jurisdiction regarding the Law on Specified Electronic Mails as well. In line with this, the Law Enforcement Regulations Concerning the Guidelines for Sending of Special E-mail, etc. (2002 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Act No. 66) has been revised as well.