The Consumer Hotline is a consultation service reached by dialing "188" (i-ya-ya, meaning "no way") from anywhere in Japan, connecting to the nearest Consumer Affairs Center or National Consumer Affairs Center. Established in 2010, it handles inquiries about fraudulent business practices, contract disputes, product accidents, and food labeling issues. Calls are charged at standard rates, but consultation is free.
The hotline is particularly effective for telemarketing and door-to-door sales contract disputes. If pressured into an unwanted contract via phone solicitation, callers receive specific advice on cooling-off procedures and deadlines. It also provides guidance on special fraud response and criteria for identifying suspicious calls.
Dialing 188 triggers a voice guide requesting your postal code, then automatically routes to the nearest Consumer Affairs Center. Counselors are legal experts who can mediate (negotiate) with businesses on your behalf. Consultation records are registered in the PIO-NET national database, used for early detection of similar fraud patterns and administrative enforcement.
Related hotlines include police consultation (#9110), Legal Support Center (0570-078374), and Financial Services User Consultation (0570-016811). Use 110 for emergencies, #9110 for fraud consultation, and 188 for contract disputes. See scam consultation guide and fraud reporting guide for details.