< Back

Establishment of the Telephone Service Certification Organization

ETOC

2024年10月1日

The telecommunications industry will work together to prevent improper line transactions and criminal use such as specialized fraud.

[Joint press release]

October 1, 2024

To media representatives:

Telecom Services Association (TELESA)

Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)

Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)

Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA)

Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA)

Five Japanese telecommunications carrier-related organizations established a certification organization (ETOC) and began operating a certification system for telephone carriers.

~ The telecommunications industry will work together to prevent improper line transactions and criminal use such as specialized fraud ~

PRTIMES version available here

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000150415.html

Related press release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications can be found here

https://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01kiban06_02000114.html

Five telecommunications carrier associations, including the Telecom Services Association (TELESA), the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA), the Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA), the Japan Cable and Television Association (JCTA), and the Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA), today (October 1, 2024), have established the Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC) to begin evaluating and certifying operators that provide telephone services.

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)

Based on the "It's My Ore Fraud Countermeasure Plan" decided at the Crime Prevention Ministerial Meeting (chaired by the Prime Minister) in June 2019, the public and private sectors are working together to suspend telephone numbers used in special fraud crimes. Although various measures have been implemented since then, malicious businesses or businesses selling telephone services to malicious groups continue to exist, and this has not been a sufficient deterrent. With the promotion of digitalization throughout society and the increase in teleworking, the need for telephone use has rapidly increased, and advanced technological innovation and dissemination are progressing, but these advanced technologies are being misused in crimes such as special fraud. It has been pointed out that the reason for the lack of sufficient deterrence is that it is difficult for not only general users (companies and consumers) who use telephone services, but also telecommunications carriers to easily and reliably identify some malicious businesses.

In response to this situation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications conducted a study based on the opinions of experts on how to objectively judge the quality of businesses, etc. in fiscal year 2023. Specifically, it was concluded that having an external organization evaluate the eligibility of businesses, etc. and using the results to check credit when conducting transactions between businesses would be an effective measure to prevent transactions of telephone numbers and telephone lines with inappropriate businesses.

Starting in fiscal 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been discussing measures to combat the criminal use of telecommunications numbers at its council, and the report it has compiled states that it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with voluntary industry initiatives such as this organization.

Taking these conclusions into consideration, five telecommunications industry associations jointly established the Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body (ETOC). The organization establishes standards for good telecommunications operators, such as network quality, service quality, security measures, and measures to prevent criminal use, and issues a certification mark to operators who trade telephone numbers within Japan and who meet these standards. Telecommunications operators can use this certification mark to check the trustworthiness of other operators when conducting transactions and entering into contracts. It also makes it easier for users (companies, consumers, etc.) to select a telephone operator when signing up for telephone services. (Figure 2)

This organization will work in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the National Police Agency, and telecommunications carriers in Japan and overseas to promote awareness-raising activities among telecommunications carriers and users in Japan and overseas, aiming to popularize this certification mark, while working to improve service quality and promote the soundness of the telephone market throughout the telecommunications industry.

Figure 2. Overview of ETOC certification

Ministerial Meeting on Crime Prevention

https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/hanzai/index.html

Study group on objective assessment of the quality of telephone forwarding providers (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2023)

https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/top/tel_number/tensou_renrakukai_top/index.html

Telecommunications Council, Telecommunications Business Division, Telecommunications Number Committee, Crime Prevention Working Group (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2024)

https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/policyreports/joho_tsusin/bango_seisaku/tel_number_wg.html

■ Purpose of ETOC

ETOC is an organization that promotes transactions with proper businesses in wholesale transactions of telephone lines between telecommunications carriers and in the procurement of telephone services by users through the evaluation and certification of telephone carriers in Japan (certification mark system) and public relations and awareness activities. Through these activities, we aim to promote the sound development of telephone services in Japan.

Overview of ETOC

<Name> Elite Telecom Operator Certification Body, ETOC

<Address> JUSA, 11F Sumitomo Real Estate Hibiya Building, 2-8-6 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

＜Website＞ https://etoc.jp/

<Logo>

Participating organizations

Telecom Services Association (Telesa)

Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)

Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)

Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA)

Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA)

Kuniaki Kondo, Chairman, Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA)

Kazuharu Yamamoto, Executive Director, Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)

Makoto Kubo, Chairman, Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)

Chair: Jin Aida, Professor, University of Tokyo

Vice-chairman Ryoji Mori, Attorney at Law, Eichi Law Office

Vice-chairman Takuya Yamago Partner Attorney at Law, TMI Associates

Vice-chair Kaori Yamane Standing Secretary of the Housewives' Association

Committee members Toshimasa Yamada Telesa FVNO Committee Chairman

Committee Member Kazuharu Yamamoto, Executive Director of TCA

Committee Member: Akiaki Tateishi, Vice President and Managing Director of JAIPA

Committee member Naoki Kobayashi JCTA Director and Director of Communications Systems

Committee Member: Koji Arikigawa, Vice President and Managing Director of JUSA

(Observer) Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

(Observer) National Police Agency

Chairman: Ryoji Mori, Attorney at Law, Eichi Law Office

Vice-chairman: Yuji Sekiya, Professor, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo (tentative)

Vice-chair Kaori Yamane Standing Secretary of the Housewives' Association

Committee members Toshimasa Yamada Telesa FVNO Committee Chairman

Committee Member Kazuharu Yamamoto, Executive Director of TCA

Committee Member: Akiaki Tateishi, Vice President and Managing Director of JAIPA

Committee member: Koji Arikigawa, Vice President and Managing Director of JUSA

(Observer) Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

(Observer) National Police Agency

■ Overview of the Elite Telecom Operator Certification Program (ETOC)

Domestic and international telecommunications carriers using Japanese telephone numbers

These will be established by a committee of experts (the Steering Committee) established within the organization.

<Evaluation and certification system for businesses> This will be carried out by a committee of experts (screening committee) established within the organization.

1 year

■About ETOC participating organizations

About the Telecom Services Association (TELESA)

As an important player in building an information and communications network society, our activities aim to create diverse information and communications services, develop a healthy competitive market, and realize a safe and secure network society. Through these activities, we aim to contribute to the business of operators while also contributing to the interests of consumers, the development of local communities, and public welfare.

Name of organization: Telecom Services Association (TELESA) https://telesa.or.jp/

Representative: Chairman Takayuki Kitaoka

Established: 1994

Location: 3-10-2 Nihonbashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Flora Building 8F)

About the Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA)

Recognizing the public nature of the telecommunications business, the Telecommunications Association works to ensure the healthy development of the telecommunications business and the smooth provision of telecommunications services in order to ensure convenience for the public, as well as to handle common issues faced by telecommunications carriers installing telecommunications line facilities and to contribute to the promotion of public welfare.

Name of organization: Telecommunications Carriers Association (TCA) https://tca.or.jp/

Representative: Chairman Makoto Takahashi

Established: 1987

Location: 2F Koshin Building, 1-10 Kanda Ogawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

About the Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA)

JAIPA is the only industry association in Japan made up of Internet providers. JAIPA members are Internet-related businesses, including Internet service providers (ISPs), cloud and hosting businesses, and businesses that provide various services to the above, such as security and information and communications infrastructure construction. JAIPA participates in study groups such as those of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and is involved in the government's policy-making process by submitting opinions and presentations. It also provides member companies with information through the collection and analysis of industry statistics, and provides opportunities for members to interact and exchange information through various events, such as JAIPA gatherings held throughout the country and the annual JAIPA Cloud Conference.

Name of organization: Japan Internet Providers Association (JAIPA) https://jaipa.or.jp/

Representative: Chairman Makoto Kubo

Established: 1997

Location: Odaka Building 6F, 1-36-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

About the Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA)

In consideration of the social mission of cable television, we work to promote the healthy development and spread of cable television by promoting ethics in cable television through mutual enlightenment and cooperation among cable television operators, dealing with common issues faced by cable television operators, and developing the cable television business.

Name of organization: Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA) https://catv-jcta.jp/

Representative: Chairman Kenichi Imabayashi

Established: 1980

Address: Kyobashi YS Building 4F, 1-12-5 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

About the Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA)

Telephone service, which has a long history, is evolving into a seamlessly integrated unified communication service by integrating with the Internet and cloud technology. JUSA is discussing and working to ensure that citizens can use unified communication with peace of mind.

Name of organization: Japan Unified Telecommunications Carriers Association (JUSA) https://jusa.jp/

Representative: Chairman Kuniaki Kondo

Established: 2019

Location: Sumitomo Real Estate Hibiya Building, 2-8-6 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Related logo images

Telecom Services Association (TELESA) logo