Abstract

Digital platforms - where businesses supply goods or services, and consumers purchase them - have become essential to our daily lives and to the world economy. Problems such as the distribution of unsafe products, etc., and difficulty in identifying sellers in resolving disputes exist on "digital platforms" such as online marketplaces. In response to this, a new Act was prepared to protect consumer interests. In order to contribute to the optimization of mail-order transactions (Business to Customer transactions) conducted using digital platforms and the promotion of dispute resolution, digital platform providers are obligated to make efforts to implement and disclose an outline of the following measures listed in Act (and the Prime Minister draws up guidelines for specific content). The Prime Minister requests that digital platform providers remove listings, etc. of unsafe products when it is difficult to enforce relevant Individual Acts due to reasons such as that the seller cannot be specified. Establishes the right to request the disclosure of seller information as necessary when consumers make a claim for damages, etc. A public-private council consisting of national government agencies, groups consisting of digital platform providers, consumer groups, etc. will be organized to discuss matters that each entity is responsible for handling, such as dealing with malicious sellers. Establishing of a reporting system in which consumers, etc. can report the risk of damage to consumers and request that the Prime Minister (Consumer Affairs Agency) takes appropriate measures in response to this.
 The Act has modell characteristics in that it emphasizes autonomous response without hindering the innovation of the platform business model from an outsider's point of view. However, not all contents of the Act are modell characteristics.

Full Text
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