Comparative Socio-Legal Studies on the Control of Consumer Vulnerability

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K01403
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 05060:Civil law-related
• Research Institution: Hosei University
• Principal Investigator: SUGA FUMIE 法政大学, 経済学部, 教授 (50386380)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 状況的脆弱性 / 脆弱性の普遍化 / つけ込み / 自主基準・規律 / 意思決定支援 / 情報提供義務の実質化・個別化 / 脆弱性の制御・解消 / 規格・標準化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We all consumers entail possibilities of falling into vulnerable situations during our lifetime. However, even if we are potentially “vulnerable consumers”in this sense, the manifestation of such vulnerabilities can be suppressed, depending on how traders conduct solicitation, how customer service are provided, and how products and services are designed in the first place. The ISO22458 shows us how “consumer vulnerability”can be overcome by "good practices" of organisations which integrate the “outcome-focused” and “proactive” approach in their internal mechanism. Through this research it was found that ISO 224258 as a driver of restraining "consumer vulnerability" in the market, and also of supporting, supplementing, and,if necessary, prepareing the ground for future amendments to the current consumer law. In tandem with this feasible and practical guidance, contract law and consumer law can make market more inclusive and supress exploitation effectively.

Free Research Field

契約法、消費者法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

消費社会における脆弱性とは、消費者自身の内的属性のみから生じるものではなく、消費者が有する身体的・精神的特徴と市場の条件その他の外部環境との相互作用によって生じるとする「状況的脆弱性」概念に注目することによって、従来からの「脆弱な消費者」をめぐる議論の方向性を大きく転換させた（保護から意思決定支援へ）。
そして、全ての消費者には多様性があることを前提とした上で、市場で消費者脆弱性を引き起こしうる諸要因（「リスクファクター」）に目を向け、法や自主規律を用いてそれらの発生を予め制御しておくという発想を提唱した。以て、判断能力の低下した消費者をアクティヴな法主体として市場に包摂することに貢献した。