Article 4Responsibilities of the National and Local Governments

①The national and local governments have a responsibility to formulate and implement policies for Ensuring Consumer Safety comprehensively, in conformity with the basic principles provided for in the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "the Basic Principles" in this Article).

②In advancing policies for Ensuring Consumer Safety, the national and local governments must endeavor to leverage the abilities of persons with expertise, skills or experience in consumer affairs, in conformity with the Basic Principles.

③In advancing policies for Ensuring Consumer Safety, the national and local governments must endeavor to take the necessary measures to disclose information about Actual and Potential Consumer-Related Incidents, the necessary measures to incorporate Consumer opinions, and other measures, thereby ensuring the transparency of the process, in conformity with the Basic Principles.

④In advancing policies for Ensuring Consumer Safety, the national and local governments must endeavor to assess policy effects (meaning the effects that a series of administrative actions that the government implements or seeks to implement based on those policies, have or are likely to have on Consumers' lives as consumers, on social and economic conditions, and on administrative management; the same applies in Article 6, paragraph (2), item (iv)), evaluate those effects based on their assessment, consider them in a timely and appropriate manner, and then take the necessary measures based on these considerations, in conformity with the Basic Principles.

⑤In advancing policies for Ensuring Consumer Safety, the national and local governments must take care to ensure close cooperation among the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, IAA (hereinafter referred to as "the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan"); the Consumer Affairs Centers as provided in Article 10-2, paragraph (1), item (i); prefectural police; fire departments (meaning the bodies set forth in the items of Article 9 of the Fire and Disaster Management Organization Act (Act No. 226 of 1947)); healthcare centers; hospitals; educational institutions; consumer affairs support groups and consumer affairs supporters defined in Article 11-7, paragraph (1); consumer groups; and other relevant parties, in conformity with the Basic Principles.

⑥The national and local governments must endeavor to deepen public understanding and gain their cooperation for Ensuring Consumer Safety, by promoting consumer education and conducting public relations activities, along with other relevant activities.