Do you know your consumer rights?

March 15th is World Consumer Rights Day. It highlights the essential rights that protect people in their everyday purchases and decisions. The date traces back to 1962, when U.S. President John F. Kennedy declared in a congressional address that consumers have fundamental rights.

President Kennedy identified four fundamental rights: the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard. This statement became a turning point, giving shape to modern consumer protection movements around the world. Japan adopted a slightly different model, but there is a legal framework that emphasizes fairness and safety.  There is a Consumer Protection Act since 1968 and a Consumer Contract Act since 2000.

However, despite that, I find Europe, where I am from, much more transparent and fairer with their consumer rights. For example, you can return items in Japan, but not with the broad, no‑questions‑asked, 30‑day right that many European countries guarantee. Moreover, in my home country, Ireland, you are also entitled to your money back within that time frame for returned goods that are unused, something which seems to a foreign concept in Japan.

However, all that being said, I am actually not familiar with my consumer rights in Japan. My Japanese husband is also not familiar with them. Meanwhile at home, without any effort, the general public know exactly what they are entitled to and consumer right information is widely available.  Do you know your consumer rights in Japan?