Tonight, Kyodo and NHK report that Fumio Kishida has been appointed minister in charge of consumer affairs. Kishida helped build consensus inside the LDP for the 2004 revision of the basic consumer protection law, where consumer rights are respected as the basic concept of consumer policies. As I have noted here, it also gave whistle blowers protection, and made consumer education mandatory. Fumio Kishida is a relative of the late Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. At 50, he is the youngest among Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's cabinet ministers.
2 comments:
Martin, I trust Consumers Union of Japan is ready with a list of ideas to send to Mr. Kishida for his consideration.
Yes, having a politically motivated ombudsman, rather than having to deal with the career bureaucrats in the Ministries, could make a difference.
Post a Comment