This paper assessed the development of consumer citizenship in Japanese junior high school civics in social studies classes, from a viewpoint based on efficiency and equity. Economic, social, and consumer affairs were analyzed based on measures of efficiency and equity, according to the government’s 2008 course of study for social studies. The results indicated that it is important for consumer citizens to understand and discuss societal problems while incorporating the values of efficiency and equity, and when taking actions that will lead to a fair and sustainable society.

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This paper introduces the development and practice of the Life Planning Game for 730 students, and verification of the Image Map. Sentences generated by students about planning for the future, from before and after administered lessons, were analyzed according to three assessment criteria related to a realistic understanding of the future. Before the lesson, more than half the students’ results indicated a vague view of the future, and less than 10% indicated a very realistic view toward the future. After the lesson, the percent of vague views decreased, and approximately 45% of student results indicated a very realistic view toward the future. Therefore, it is suggested that the Life Planning Game is an effective tool to help students learn to realistically plan for the future. Also verification of the Image Map indicates that new contents can be added.

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This paper proposes a model of education for fostering consumers’ capabilities in a global society while focusing on consumer legal literacy as one of the consumer capabilities important for global consumer citizens. Specifically, we adopt an educational method which is has a structured framework and adopts practical situations to foster active participation in the development of a fair and sustainable society. In addition, we propose specific examples of learning content as well as conduct and behavioral goals for fostering legal literacy.

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In the EU, children have been recognized as consumers and laws related to advertising directed at children have been in effect since 2005. Judgments by EU courts concerning advertising directed at children have recently increased. In Japan, there are no laws or regulations regarding advertising directed at children. In order to improve consumer education in Japan, it is necessary to help children develop critical thinking skills that can be applied to advertising. This paper argues that it is necessary to implement surveys and begin discussions about the development of laws that address advertising targeted at children.

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This paper focuses on identifying those who can consume safely in special support systems as “consumers in need” and their supporters. The analysis was using consultation 1,683 data about the contracts of inadequate judgment by people with disabilities through Practical living Information Online-NETwork (PIO-NET). About 30% of the consultations were by consumers in need, and approximately 65% were by those who watch out for consumers in need (for example, their families or relatives, suppliers of welfare services, etc). Among those who watch out, 19.2% were their children and 19.1% were their parents. Considerations for both elderly as well as young people with insufficient judgment or with intellectual disability need to be taken in consumer education.

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The objectives of this study were to ascertain and identify issues regarding the current state of education related to energy conservation, and to suggest specific courses of action. Based on a comparison of approved textbooks and curriculum guidelines from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and actual cases of educational activities for people, evidence indicated that the principle issue is the absence of a systematic relationship between policies and practices. Successful models from foreign countries suggest the need for the systematic dissemination of materials, and the systematic development of materials and teacher training.

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This paper examined how many local self-governing body has established “Consumer Education Promotion Plan” and “Regional Councils on Consumer Education Promotion” based on “Act on Promotion of Consumer Education” by the end of 2013 fiscal year. 90 percent prefectures began to start the discussion about “Plan”, and 10 prefectures were established in 2013 fiscal year. One third prefectures and ordinance-designated cities set up “Regional Councils”. The state should examine, analyze and inform the condition of local self-governing body because many cities which are behind with progress can begin to set up ”Plan” and ”Regional Councils”.

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This study investigated the impact of financial education as part of a liberal arts course on college students. A pretest-posttest design was used with a questionnaire being administered to 100 students who participated in a program on financial behavior and its educational significance. The results indicated that all 10 financial behaviors of the participants improved after the program. The greatest improvement was observed in students living in dormitories, who started to become financially independent of their parents and plan their lives with a long-range focus. Furthermore, this program was evaluated as having suitable content and appropriate duration for college students. It also suggested positive feedback as a means for them to explore their career development options.

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Price-oriented sales promotions have become the norm in Internet shopping, and their impact tends to affect consumer behavior. Consumers must acquire the ability to avoid disruption to their lives caused by unnecessary purchasing that exceeds their financial capabilities. To that end, understanding the impact of sales promotions on consumer behavior is necessary. In this study, I examined the impact of price-oriented sales promotion on the willingness of consumers to purchase unnecessary goods. Through empirical analysis, I revealed that consumer brand commitment, an attitudinal concept, differs upon incentive and that coupons and points have a greater impact than cash discounts on unnecessary purchasing.

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The aim of this study is to elucidate the current situation and issues relating to promotion of consumer education at primary schools in "A" city. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with teachers at primary, junior high and senior high schools in "A" city. The main factors underlying the low rate of implementation of consumer education at primary schools were insufficient time allocated for lessons on the subject and the sense that the notion and content of consumer education were vague and difficult to grasp. Teachers were apprehensive about the use of information technology by children and about children’s attitudes to money. The surveys provided significant suggestions on how consumer education can be promoted at primary schools.

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After the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Reactor in March 2011, high radioactive levels were found particularly in agricultural products from Fukushima. The prices of agricultural products from the area dropped. Media called it "harmful rumor". The “harmful rumor” was defined as a rumor that is not based on a fact but leads to economic damage. However, Arai (2014) mentioned that the current situation in Japan “was occurred and expanded by ‘fact’ rather than rumor.” The role of education is worthwhile to explore because Japanese government sought consumer education that increases rational consumers as a solution of the “harmful rumor.” When the author analyzed consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for agricultural products made in Fukushima, consumer education affected it positively. On the other hand, educated consumers, who checked radioactive substance in food, tended to offer lower WTP for them. Therefore, according to the definition by the government, wise consumers do not buy the agricultural products. The data suggests that there are merits to exploring the definition of “rationality” in consumer choice.

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In recent years, consultation and complaints about medical services, especially medical and dental care related cases amongst 60-70 year olds, is increasing rapidly. Given this situation, the present study aims to clarify the current state of medical service consultation and complaints. Furthermore, the study aims to explore the development of consumer education teaching materials designed to assist the elderly in these matters, thus reducing the misunderstandings that lead to complaints. The researchers carried out needs analysis by sending out a survey completed by National Consumer Center Counselors. The survey revealed that in cases related to dentistry, implants, treatment costs and medical costs not covered by insurance, the majority of complaints related to explanation by the doctor. Center staff considered a story based DVD of around 10 to 15 minutes would be an effective way to educate service users about the medical service process and their consumer rights and prevent problems arising. Therefore, the researchers intend to develop materials specically for senior citizens that focus nt research project.

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The objectives of this research were to develop simulation learning materials and lesson plans for online shopping transactions using credit cards, to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing lesson plans with the developed materials, and to specify the educational benefits of these classes. Online simulation learning materials, handouts for class use, and lesson plans were developed. It was found that the lesson were effective. Pre and post surveys were also administered. Junior and senior high school students, who participated in the research, increased their knowledge related to online shopping transactions using credit cards.

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The purpose of this study was to examine how the necessary abilities for college students to become consumer citizens is fostered through the making of leaflets for preventing consumer harm among aged people. Participating students recognized the importance of considering issues from multiple viewpoints, the necessity of social education, and identifying themselves as consumer citizens. The students also improved their awareness regarding the importance of promoting fair economic exchange.

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Trouble using the Internet is increasing with the recent spread of the smartphones and tablets. In the future, more senior high schools students are likely to suffer damage from the Internet trouble. The purpose of this study is to make research to comprehend the latest needs in order to develop consumer education materials for Internet Troubleshooting at senior high schools. The survey is across the nation for consumer center staff and home economics teachers at senior high schools. As a result of the research, the followings are a) consultation content match in recent years, b) frequency utilized materials, c) the ability to learn for senior high school students, d) effective teaching method and e) easy-to-use materials form.

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We created a consumer education material for comprehensive learning in the area of housing habits and examined the effects of using this material. The material used in this research was the “diamond ranking game for housing selection,” which ranks nine different types of housing conditions. In this game, the players set out nine cards: eight cards are fixed and a ninth card is chosen by each player. By following instructions and participating in a group discussion, students were able to gain the ability to select housing and do life planning. The subjects were 421 female students from a university. The results showed “contract” did not regard as important in one-person’s household. We evaluated comprehensive learning in three areas: housing, dietary, and clothing habits, which were also used in previous studies.

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This survey investigated the implementation of consumer policies in Yamanashi Prefecture after the Promotion of Consumer Education Act took effect. Questionnaires and other relevant data were utilized to examine the effects in Yamanashi Prefecture. Consumer counselors were assigned to regional activities, serving in the role of supervising and advising the elderly. Teachers were also assigned as specialized staff responsible for open classes held at schools. The study concluded that these attempts at regional partnerships helped promote consumer education in Yamanashi Prefecture.

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Visualized danger-avoidance materials were produced in junior high school home economics classes for the purpose of analyzing these works as consumer safety training teaching materials. Safety-conscious materials, including posters, stickers and check cards that are eye-catching and are intended to help individuals immediately avoid danger were categorized as visualized danger- avoidance materials. Lessons using these materials received favorable evaluations from students, and student production was also evaluated positively. Based on the results, the introduction of these materials as teaching materials for consumer safety training should be considered.

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In this paper, we are going to verify efforts on consumer education which we had carried out in the past few years. It will be addressed that "Development and Practice of Consumer Education Programmes with Co-ordination and Collaboration in the Community", and are going to clarify the theoretical model of Circulated Consumer Education Programme. For this purpose, we, first, review the recent trends of Japanese community education scene, second, explore the circulated education theory, and third, verify our practices on consumer education in the community. At this stage, we concentrate these points of view, and continue to tackle on this issue.

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We developed and assessed a new educational method to promote sustainable consumption in a university cooking class. In addition to basic cooking skills, students learned local dishes as a representation of life and culture which elevated satisfaction when the meal was finally consumed. Results of a questionnaire survey show that students became more aware of life and culture, and of problems concerning their dietary habits after participating in this program. Furthermore, students began considering their consumer behavior to be an important factor in realizing a sustainable society and creatively developed an environmentally friendly lifestyle. These results indicate that the new educational method had an influence on developing a lifestyle for a sustainable society among university students.

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Consumer responsibility has been recognized as a subject for consumer citizenship education in high school home economics classes. After examining home economics lessons, the inclusion of fair trade principles in teaching materials was evaluated. The production of bookmarks using recycled cloth led to leaners’ increased consideration for the environment as well as vulnerable groups, which are categorized under consumers’ responsibility. Results indicated that it is worthwhile to include fair trade in hands-on learning of the culture of everyday life, and to incorporate fair trade into teaching materials used in consumer citizenship education.

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Consumer education in Japan aims to develop independent thinking and to teach basic knowledge and skills for use in life. Social studies questions in private junior high school entrance examinations were examined to determine students’ awareness of consumer issues. Examination questions appeared to be designed to assess general interest in social problems and evaluate the ability to reach conclusions and provide solutions.

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Based on investigations of life support networks and the sustainability of elderly people’s lifestyles, on-going surveys are being conducted on the lives of elderly people living on islands Since there is a high probability for elderly people on islands to become shopping refugees, the research focused on the civic quality of the elderly as consumers. The study investigated the possibility of building a consumer citizenship society on islands through self-help, public assistance, and mutual cooperation.

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