Keidanren, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Keizai Doyukai, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, European Business Council in Japan (EBC), and BUSINESSEUROPE are comprised of member companies and management executives who are committed to producing quality products and services for consumers in Japan. We support systems that offer remedies for consumer damages, including appropriate activities by consumer consultation centers or consumer organizations, ADR and legitimate claims filed in civil litigation.

Currently, the Consumer Affairs Agency is proceeding with preparations to propose for adoption the "Draft Bill for Establishing a Special Exception to the Civil Litigation Process for Recovery of Monetary Consumer Damages as a Class" (the "Proposal") at the current ordinary Diet session.

However, the proposal, once introduced, could have considerable negative impacts on Prime Minster Abe's economic revitalization program which was beginning to show signs of acceleration. In addition, there remain problems in the proposal, including the possibility that litigation for small amounts damages will be filed by plaintiff organizations without being given authorization by numerous consumers. Furthermore, the proposal should not be applied retroactively, since it is possible that such impacts will be exacerbated if the proposal applies to any damages which arose under contracts executed before the enactment of the proposal. Therefore, we believe that it would be unreasonable to hastily adopt legislation based on the proposal without providing adequate opportunity for review and an economic impact study.

To realize effective remedies for consumers, and to establish a system which is consistent with the government's Economic Revitalization Program including job creation, wage increases, innovation and economic growth, more careful consideration is necessary.

We respectfully urge the government to avoid the negative impacts resulting from a hasty enactment, as well as to support businesses and consumers in developing a win-win relationship by reconsidering its policy of submitting the bill in the ordinary Diet session.

• Keidanren
• Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Keizai Doyukai
• The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform
• European Business Council in Japan
• BUSINESSEUROPE