Consumer Affairs Agency Issues Administrative Order to Japanet Takata for Misleading Osechi Pricing
The Consumer Affairs Agency announced on the 12th that it has issued an administrative order to major mail-order company Japanet Takata. The agency determined that the price display for Osechi dishes sold by the company violated the Premiums and Representations Act (景品表示法). Specifically, the agency found that the company's display, which made it appear as though the actual selling price was lower than a future price after a sale period, constituted a "misleading representation of advantageous offers," causing consumers to falsely believe the offer was more advantageous. The issue stemmed from the company's sales of Osechi, where it emphasized discounts such as "¥10,000 off for early booking" compared to a regular price or future selling price. According to the Consumer Affairs Agency's investigation, it was pointed out that the company had no plans to sell the products at the displayed regular or future selling prices, which was deemed to be unjustifiabl...