Japan's Marriage Support Association Enhances Reliability to Combat Customer Harassment

Improving Reliability in Japan's Marriage Partner Introduction Services

The Japan Marriage Partner Introduction Service Council (JMICS) hosted a compliance seminar on October 22, 2025, titled "Creating an Environment that Does Not Breed Customer Harassment!" The seminar aimed to address the importance of compliance with the Specified Commercial Transactions Act and the Personal Information Protection Act, focusing specifically on how these laws impact member interactions when engaging with the service.

As the only industry organization uniting major marriage consulting firms across Japan, JMICS is dedicated to enhancing the reliability and healthy development of the marriage partner introduction service sector. This initiative is part of JMICS's ongoing efforts to equip marriage consultants and their staff with necessary legal knowledge pertaining to consumer contracts, advertising regulations, and information protection laws.

This year's seminar transitioned to an online format, allowing widespread participation from industry players across the nation. For those unable to attend live, a video of the seminar was made available, ensuring that no one misses critical updates.

Seminar Highlights

During the seminar, JMICS's Chairman, Yoshimoto Masamura, conveyed his appreciation to the participating organizations and emphasized the importance of compliance in addressing customer harassment issues. He highlighted how the seminar would provide insights from legal expert Mr. Ryo Otsuka, a lawyer with extensive knowledge of the sector, particularly regarding customer harassment countermeasures.

Mr. Otsuka, recognized for his role in various advisory positions, including the Consumer Affairs Agency and the Tokyo Consumer Affairs Center, led the discussion using specially developed materials that examined compliance issues through the lens of real market practices.

The seminar addressed three critical stages:
1. Pre-contractual considerations: Key issues like avoiding misleading advertisement practices and the importance of credible customer satisfaction surveys were discussed.
2. During the contract: The talk revolved around issues such as handling customer disputes, especially in cases of romance scams, and critical points regarding the treatment of personal information.
3. Post-contractual practices: Topics included cooling-off policies, fees on contract cancellations, and points to consider during expulsion from the service.

This structured approach provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape surrounding marriage partner services and how to navigate potential pitfalls.

Engagement and Learning

Participants were encouraged to pose questions via the seminar's chat feature, fostering an interactive learning environment. For instance, one question explored the necessity of providing physical copies of contracts in the age of electronic agreements, a pressing concern for many in attendance. Mr. Otsuka provided thorough clarifications, enhancing the value of the seminar.

Feedback from attendees reflected the seminar's effectiveness. Comments included insights gained about the cooling-off system, distinctions between overview and contract documents, personal data handling practices, and proactive measures to prevent disputes during contract cancellation.

JMICS's Commitment

JMICS aims to continue offering training and seminars to further enhance the skills of marriage partner service providers. This aligns with their mission to improve ethics within the industry while increasing compliance with relevant laws, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction and trust.

With approximately 36,000 individuals marrying after meeting through marriage consulting services in 2023, the importance of maintaining high standards within the industry cannot be overstated. JMICS continues to adapt and respond to the evolving landscape of customer needs, ensuring that service providers are equipped to handle the intricacies of their role with professionalism and sensitivity.

For more information on JMICS, their initiatives, and to access seminar materials, visit JMICS Official Website.