Industrial Structure Council

This council is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and investigates and deliberates important matters related to the development of the economy and industry. It was established in 1964 as an advisory body to the Minister of International Trade and Industry, and following the reorganization of central government ministries and agencies, in January 2001 it became based on Article 6 of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Establishment Act. Its abbreviated name is the "Industrial Structure Council." Members are private company managers and scholars, and since the days of the old Keidanren, the chairman of the Japan Business Federation has often served as the chairperson of the council. As of August 2015, there are 17 members and 2 temporary members. The term of office is two years. In addition to important matters such as the improvement of industrial structure, enhancement of economic vitality, and smooth development of foreign economic relations, the Bureau is responsible for (1) installment sales, loan-affiliated sales, installment purchase brokerage, prepaid specific transactions, (2) commodity market transactions, (3) safety of consumer products, door-to-door sales, mail order sales, telephone sales, multilevel marketing transactions (multilevel marketing), and specific continuous service provision, and (4) handling of matters within its jurisdiction such as the Factory Location Law, the Aircraft Industry Promotion Law, the Bicycle Racing Law, and the Small Automobile Racing Law. Divisions, subcommittees, and subcommittees are established for each specific theme and submit reports.

Before the reorganization of central government ministries and agencies, the Industrial Structure Council tended to deliberate and report not only on industry reorganization and the promotion of free trade, which were the purview of the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry, but also on issues under the purview of other ministries and agencies, such as structural reform of the Japanese economy and the environment, social security, finances, and deregulation. After the reorganization of central government ministries and agencies, the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, the Council on Regulatory Reform, and the Council on Industrial Competitiveness, which report directly to the Prime Minister, mainly deliberate on major issues facing the Japanese economy, while the Industrial Structure Council has shifted its focus of discussion to issues facing individual industries and consumer protection.

[Takeshi Yano June 20, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

経済および産業の発展に関する重要事項を調査・審議する経済産業省所管の審議会。1964年（昭和39）に通商産業大臣の諮問機関として発足し、中央省庁再編に伴って、2001年（平成13）1月から根拠法が経済産業省設置法第6条となった。略称は「産構審」。委員は民間企業経営者や学者が務め、歴代会長は旧経団連時代から日本経済団体連合会会長が務めることが多い。2015年8月時点で委員17名、臨時委員2名である。任期2年。産業構造の改善、経済活力の向上、対外経済関係の円滑な発展などの重要事項のほか、(1)割賦販売、ローン提携販売、割賦購入斡旋(あっせん)、前払式特定取引、(2)商品市場取引、(3)消費生活製品の安全性、訪問販売、通信販売、電話勧誘販売、連鎖販売取引（マルチ商法）、特定継続的役務提供、(4)工場立地法、航空機工業振興法、自転車競技法、小型自動車競走法などの権限事項の処理、などを所管する。具体的なテーマごとに部会や分科会、小委員会を設け、報告書を提出する。

　産業構造審議会は中央省庁の再編前には、旧通産省が所管する業界再編や自由貿易の推進だけでなく、日本経済の構造改革や環境、社会保障、財政、規制緩和など他省庁の所管する課題についても審議・答申する傾向があった。中央省庁再編後は、おもに首相直属の経済財政諮問会議、規制改革会議、産業競争力会議などが日本経済の大きな課題について審議し、産業構造審議会は個別産業の課題や消費者保護に議論の軸足を移している。

［矢野　武　2017年6月20日］

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