Consumer Law Redress and Administration, Product Safety Regulation and Contracts in Japan and Australia
30(3) Competition and Consumer Law Journal, forthcoming (2024)
18 Pages Posted: 31 May 2023 Last revised: 20 Feb 2024
Date Written: May 26, 2023
Abstract
This paper explores developments in consumer law and practice in Japan, as an important area that has not seen much comparative scholarship in Western languages despite significant developments over the last 10-20 years. The paper connects developments to broader debates about the nature of contemporary Japanese law and society, and mainly compares Australia although other jurisdictions are also discussed. The comparative analysis first explains the persistent problems for consumer redress. It then focuses on issues and reforms in consumer affairs administration, including the functions of reforming and enforcing consumer laws, the relationship with competition law concepts and regulators, and the relationship between consumer affairs regulators and other government agencies or stakeholders. The paper then examines developments in consumer product safety law and contracts, including new challenges from e-commerce and digital technologies, before drawing some conclusions.
Keywords: Japanese law, Australian law, consumer law, product safety law, contract law
JEL Classification: K12, K13, K22, K23, K40
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