Establishment of the Telephone Service Certification Organization
The telecommunications industry will work together to prevent improper line transactions and criminal use such as specialized fraud.
[Joint press release]
October 1, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Telecom Services Association (TELESA)
Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)
Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)
Japan Cable Television Association (JCTA)
Japan Unified Communications Service Provider Association (JUSA)
Five Telecommunications Organizations in Japan Launch New Certification Program for Telecom Operators.
~ Collaborative efforts to combat telecommunications misuse and fraud in the industry, harmonizing with government measures. ~
PRTIMES (JP)
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000150415.html
Related press release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01kiban06_02000114.html
Tokyo, Japan, October 1, 2024 – Five prominent telecommunications organizations—Telecom Services Association (TELESA), Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA), Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA), Japan Cable Television Association (JCTA), and Japan Unified Communications Service Provider Association (JUSA)—announced the establishment of the Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC). This body will commence the evaluation and certification of telecom operators.
background:
In 2014, the total damage from special frauds, including "It's me" fraud, reached a record high of approximately 56.6 billion yen. After that, the number of cases temporarily decreased due to measures such as strengthened police crackdowns, prevention activities in cooperation with the public and private sectors, and restrictions on the use of telephones used in crimes, but it has recently been on the rise again, and the situation remains severe, with the number of reported special fraud cases in 2023 reaching approximately 19,000 cases and total damage of approximately 45.3 billion yen (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Number of reported cases of specialized fraud and total damages (National Police Agency)
In 2014, special fraud cases in Japan recorded losses of 56.6 billion JPY. While there was a temporary decline in such incidents due to intensified police efforts, public-private collaborations, and restrictions on abuse of telephone, recent trends indicate a troubling resurgence. In 2023, nearly 19,000 cases of special fraud were reported, leading to total damages of around 45.3 billion yen, underscoring the ongoing severity of this issue.
In 2023, The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) conducted a study to explore ways to objectively assess the quality of telecom operators, taking into account the opinions of experts. Specifically, it was concluded that having a third-party organization evaluate the eligibility of these operators and utilizing this evaluation for credit verification during transactions among operators would be an effective measure to prevent dealings with inappropriate operators regarding telephone numbers and lines.
Starting in fiscal year 2024, the MIC has been advancing discussions in its advisory council regarding measures to prevent the criminal use of telecommunications numbers. The reports emphasize the necessity of strengthening collaboration with certification program.
The Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC) was jointly established by five telecommunications organizations. This organization will establish standards for network quality, service quality, security measures, and crime prevention, etc. and will award certification marks to operators that meet these standards.
Telecom operators may utilize this certification mark to verify creditworthiness during transactions and contracts with other operators. Additionally, it will facilitate the selection of telecom operators for users (businesses and consumers) when contracting telephone services.
The organization will promote awareness activities directed at both domestic and international telecom operators and users, in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the National Police Agency, and various telecommunications entities. While aiming to increase recognition of the certification mark, the organization is committed to enhancing service quality across the telecommunications industry and ensuring the soundness of the telephone market.
Figure 2. Overview of ETOC certification
■ References
Cabinet Meeting Concerning Measures Against Crime – Japanese Cabinet
https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/hanzai/index.html
Study Group on Objective Judgment of the Quality of Call Forwarding Service Providers（MIC, 2023）
https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/top/tel_number/tensou_renrakukai_top/index.html
Information and Communications Council, Telecommunications Business Subcommittee, Telecommunications Numbering Committee, Working Group on Measures to prevent Criminal Usage（MIC, 2024）
■ Purpose of Establishment
ETOC is an organization dedicated to promoting transactions with appropriate operators in wholesale dealings of telephone lines among telecom operators and in the procurement of telephone services by users, through the evaluation and certification of telecom operators in Japan (certification mark system) as well as public awareness activities. Through these efforts, ETOC aims to foster the healthy development of telephone services in Japan.
■ Outline of ETOC Organization
Name: Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body, ETOC
Address: Sumitomo Fudosan Hibiya Bldg., 2-8-6 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://etoc.jp/
Organization Logo:
Members:
Telecom Services Association (Telesa)
Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)
Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)
Japan Cable Television Association (JCTA)
Japan Unified Communications Service Provider Association (JUSA)
Chairperson:
Kuniaki Kondo, Chairman, Japan Unified Communications Service Provider Association (JUSA)
Vice Chair:
Kazuharu Yamamoto, Executive Director, Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)
Makoto Kubo, Chairman, Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)
Steering Council: Advising for the organization management
Chairperson:
- Hitoshi Aida, Special Professor, The University of Tokyo
Vice Chair:
- Ryoji Mori, Attorney at Law, Eichi Law Offices
- Takuya Yamago, Partner Attorney-at-Law, TMI Associates,
- Kaori Yamane, Board member, SHUFUREN (Association of Consumer Organizations)
Members:
- Toshimasa Yamada Chair, FVNO Committee, TELESA
- Kazuharu Yamamoto Executive Director, TCA
- Toshiaki Tateishi Vice President and Executive Director, JAIPA
- Naoki Kobayashi Director, JCTA and Director, Communication System Department
- Koji Yasukagawa, Vice President and Executive Director, JUSA
Observers:
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
- National Police Agency
Certification Council: Evaluation and Certification
Chairperson:
- Ryoji Mori, Attorney at Law, Eichi Law Offices
Vice Chair:
- Yuji Sekiya, Professor, The University of Tokyo (Tentative)
- Kaori Yamane, Board member, SHUFUREN (Association of Consumer Organizations)
Member:
- Toshimasa Yamada Chair, FVNO Committee, TELESA
- Kazuharu Yamamoto Executive Director, TCA
- Toshiaki Tateishi Vice President and Executive Director, JAIPA
- Koji Yasukagawa, Vice President and Executive Director, JUSA
Observer:
- National Police Agency
■ Outline of the Elite Telecom Operator Certification Program (ETOC)
Targets of examination and certification
Domestic and foreign telecom operators using Japanese telephone numbers.
Establishment of certification standards
Established by the Steering Council.
Evaluation of certification
Evaluated by the Certification Council.
Period of validity
One year.
Mark of displayed by certified operators
■Members of ETOC
Telecom Services Association (TELESA) logo
Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA) logo
Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA) logo
Japan Cable Television Association logo
Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA) logo
■ Contact information
Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC)
E-mail: sec@etoc.jp