新しい消費者政策への転換と再構築(消費生活政策体系の総合的研究,総合研究)

概要

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As a result of its high economic growth after World War II, Japan has become the second biggest economic power in the world, comparable to advanced Western nations in material standards of living. However, as is suggested by the frequent criticism that Japan, despite its first-class position in the production side of economy, is a third-class nation in the standards of everyday consumer life, the fruits of the economic growth are not sufficiently distributed to the level of comsumers or individuals. Although the per-capita national income of Japan, the biggest creditor country in the world, surpasses that of the U.S. and the savings of an average Japanese family are more than \11 million, everyday consumer life in this country is beset, for instance, with much higher commodity prices than in many other countries in spite of the high value of the yen vis-a-vis the dollar. This can be atributed to, among other things, government regulation for excessive protection of industry, which invites higher prices through the restriction of competition in the market, overprotection of the vast number of very small enterprises and such trade practices as the sole import distributor system, which together impair consumers' interests. Among various (regulatory) systems and policies which affect consumer life, not a few are wartime or postwar emergency measures which still remain in effect. Many Japanese do not really feel that their standards of living are high enough to match the nation's economic prosperity. Many do not think of themselves as living in comfort and security. In view of this situation, with a view to creating true richness for people as consumers and achieving a comfortable and secure life toward the 21st century, I began with reviews of the restructuring of the Japanese economy and the producer-oriented industrial policy. At the same time, I went back to the spirit of the Basic Law concerning the Protection of Consumers and attempted reappraisal of its contents. I also attempted international comparison of the current state of consumer life in Japan. Although its food and clothing aspects are substantially comparable to advanced countries, the dwelling aspect and the environment of life are much behind, and I analyzed these lags. While the Japanese are well ahead in education, culture and information, they are much behind in available leisure time, amusement and the advancement of women's status. On the other hand, in the welfare aspect including medical care and pensions, the proportion of burdens on people, including both taxes and social security costs, will inevitably increase along with the much accelerated rise of the average age, and it has become an urgent task to encourage the unification of different pension schmes and equalize the burdens of those pay for them. Chapter III of the Japanese Constitution stipulates that "All people shall have the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultured living" and therefore "In all spheres of life, the State shall use it endeavors for the promotion and extension of social welfare and security, and of public health." It is intended that the business community, consumers and governmental bodies of all levels work together to earnestly adress consumer issues, make positive efforts anew to solve the problems, thereby search for the image of truly rich and happy life for people and identify future tasks to be tackled.
日本大学の論文
1991-03-20

著者

阿部喜三
日本大学経済学部

新しい消費者政策への転換と再構築(消費生活政策体系の総合的研究,総合研究)

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概要

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