June 26, 2024
Japan Fair Trade Commission
(First Campaign to Strengthen Publicity of the Freelance Act)
Today, I would like to talk about the first campaign to strengthen publicity of the Freelance Act.
The Freelance Act (the Act) will be in effect on November 1 of this year. Last month, on May 31, we published the ordinances, rules, and guidelines that provide interpretations of the Act.
As the JFTC, we will continue to work for the smooth implementation of the Act. However, as part of our efforts to enforce the Act in November, our top priority is publicity to promote awareness of the Act.
This Act applies to all transactions with freelancers, without any limitations on sectors or industries. The freelancers covered by the Act are defined as “contractors who do not employ any employees,” and the ordering parties include all business operators who entrust business to freelancers. Therefore, the scope of application is very broad, and we believe the Act will have a significant impact on society.
As I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of publicity and taken advantage of opportunities such as this press conference, the JFTC considers this campaign to be extremely important. Therefore, we designated the period from June 17 to July 31 as the first campaign to strengthen the publicity of the Freelance Act, during which we will actively promote the Freelance Act.
The purpose of this campaign is to prevent violations by raising awareness of the Act. The highlight of the first phase is a publicity campaign in collaboration with BUSON, an illustrator and manga blogger, featuring his original character “Shikibu-chan.” We have created special pages for the Act on the JFTC’s website, which includes an introduction video about the Freelance Act featuring “Shikibu-chan,” a comprehension test for the Act, and a checklist for ordering parties. We encourage everyone to visit and explore these resources. In addition to this, we are also running advertisements on the internet, in Tokyo Metro train carriages, and on LCD monitors at FamilyMart checkout counters.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, we will be holding information sessions on the Freelance Act in eight locations nationwide. While the Tokyo session is already fully booked, there are still seats available at the regional venues, and we encourage anybody to attend.
As the JFTC, we will continue to provide clear and accessible information to both freelancers and ordering parties. We are committed to actively promoting and publicizing this Act.
（Tentative translation）
Today, I would like to talk about the first campaign to strengthen publicity of the Freelance Act.
The Freelance Act (the Act) will be in effect on November 1 of this year. Last month, on May 31, we published the ordinances, rules, and guidelines that provide interpretations of the Act.
As the JFTC, we will continue to work for the smooth implementation of the Act. However, as part of our efforts to enforce the Act in November, our top priority is publicity to promote awareness of the Act.
This Act applies to all transactions with freelancers, without any limitations on sectors or industries. The freelancers covered by the Act are defined as “contractors who do not employ any employees,” and the ordering parties include all business operators who entrust business to freelancers. Therefore, the scope of application is very broad, and we believe the Act will have a significant impact on society.
As I have repeatedly emphasized the importance of publicity and taken advantage of opportunities such as this press conference, the JFTC considers this campaign to be extremely important. Therefore, we designated the period from June 17 to July 31 as the first campaign to strengthen the publicity of the Freelance Act, during which we will actively promote the Freelance Act.
The purpose of this campaign is to prevent violations by raising awareness of the Act. The highlight of the first phase is a publicity campaign in collaboration with BUSON, an illustrator and manga blogger, featuring his original character “Shikibu-chan.” We have created special pages for the Act on the JFTC’s website, which includes an introduction video about the Freelance Act featuring “Shikibu-chan,” a comprehension test for the Act, and a checklist for ordering parties. We encourage everyone to visit and explore these resources. In addition to this, we are also running advertisements on the internet, in Tokyo Metro train carriages, and on LCD monitors at FamilyMart checkout counters.
Additionally, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, we will be holding information sessions on the Freelance Act in eight locations nationwide. While the Tokyo session is already fully booked, there are still seats available at the regional venues, and we encourage anybody to attend.
As the JFTC, we will continue to provide clear and accessible information to both freelancers and ordering parties. We are committed to actively promoting and publicizing this Act.
（Tentative translation）
