pse

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Public opinion forced change in state policy

In the face of strong public opinion, the government has retracted its decision to ban the sale of used electric appliances without "PSE" marks for resale permit under the Product Safety of Electrical Appliance Law (PSE Law).

Secondhand goods traders whose businesses are endangered, consumers aiming to realize a recycling society, and musicians who are particular about their sound took part in the opposition movement. Akahata reports and parliamentary questioning by Japanese Communist Party lawmakers played an important role in forcing the government to change policy.

Among the nationally circulated newspapers, Akahata was the first to take up the issue on February 17, reporting that the government was going to ban the sale of used electric appliances effective April 1st. The article warned that recycle shops, music and audio shops, pawn shops, and antique shops will face the danger of going out of business.

The Akahata report triggered massive phone calls of protest flooding the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry (METI). Well-known musicians called for a signature campaign, saying that the ban will hamper the development of music and other performing arts in Japan. Commercial newspapers and television stations followed suit and took up the issue, helping increase public protests.

A 66-year-old recycle shop owner in Tokyo expressed his resentment by saying, "Government officials know nothing about our difficulty."

The METI made desperate efforts to calm the opposition. In the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on March 1, Japanese Communist Party representative Shiokawa Tetsuya revealed that the PSE Law came into effect to regulate new goods and that five years ago up to last November the government had not included secondhand electric appliances to be covered by the law. " On this basis Shiokawa urged the government to review the policy.

The ministry on March 24 admitted their "defeat", saying to the traders dealing in recycling goods who demand the policy change, "You can announce that the government has accepted your demands."

An official of an antique traders cooperative union in Hokkaido said that Shiokawa's questioning in the Diet played a "decisive role" in forcing the government to change its policy.
- Akahata, March 27, 2006