Activity report
JAOS Seminar Sponsored in Conjunction with JATA’s (Japan Association of Travel Agents) Homestay tour division, CIEL (Council of International Education and Language Travel Japan) Explanatory Meeting Concerning the Fair Trade Commission’s Guidelines for the Representation of Short-Term Overseas Language Study’
February 16, 2007
at Large Hall of the Zen-Niku Kasumigaseki Building in Tokyo
On December 19th, 2006, the Fair Trade Commission presented its investigative report on the state of short-term overseas language study services. This report is based on a study by the National Consumer Affairs Center that shows an industry-wide increase in complaints and inquiries regarding study abroad services. The Fair Trade Commission has thus requested organizations such as JAOS and JATA to make sure their members accurately represent the terms and conditions of short-term overseas language programs in promotional literature in order to avoid the risk of consumer misconception. This seminarstemmed from the report mentioned above and was held by JAOS and JATA-CIEL in order to implement and explain the new guidelines regarding ‘Representation of Short-Term Overseas Language Study’. The meeting, which consisted of 141 JAOS and JATA members as well as 24 non-member participants, also included a meaningful discussion session in which members of the Fair Trade Commission generously provided pro-active commentary. Furthermore, it is important to note that both JAOS and CIEL were evaluated as reliable institutions by the supervisor of the Fair Trade Commission for conducting their own research on guidelines. This evaluation from the Fair Trade Commission can be seen as a validation of JAOS’ activities over the past 15 years. Furthermore, the meeting also affirms that the further cooperation between JAOS and JATA will continue to bring about healthy developments in the study abroad industry.