1. Objective
   In FY 2007, METI launched a program to recognize companies highly committed to product safety. Its aim is to establish a "product safety culture," a concept that values product safety in business activities and consumers' lives and to create a safe and secure society where product safety continuously improves.

   A call for applications from companies and groups for the FY 2011 awards was issued in June, and the winners were selected through examination by the review committee.

   Best Contributors to Product Safety logo

2. Eligible companies and groups
   Companies engaged in manufacture, import or retail of consumer products and groups contributing to the establishment of product safety culture

3. Number of winners
   The best contributors to product safety are selected from the Manufacturer and Importer Category and the Retailer Category, each split into two categories of Large and Small & Medium. They receive the METI Minister's Award (one in each category), the Director-General for Commerce and Distribution Policy Award (up to two in each category), or the Excellence Award. In the Group Category, the Special Group Award is granted.

4. Review procedure
   The efforts to promote product safety submitted by the applicants were evaluated by a review committee consisting of experts, representatives of consumer groups and others.

   The committee conducted the first round review, which was document evaluation, and the second round review, which consists of on-site interviews and presentations by applicants. The winners were decided based on aspects such as the originality of the efforts and the degree of penetration in the corporate organization, with attention to the characteristics of the products involved.

(1) Large Manufacturer and Importer Category

METI Minister's Award:

Lenovo Japan Ltd.

Director-General for Commerce and Distribution Policy Award:

VAIO & Mobile Business Group, Consumer Products & Services Group, Sony Corporation
TOTO Ltd.

(2) Large Retailer Category

METI Minister's Award:

Ito-Yokado Co., Ltd.

Director-General for Commerce and Distribution Policy Award:

Nitori Holdings
Bic Camera Inc.

(3) Small & Medium Manufacturer and Importer Category

METI Minister's Award:

Accuphase Laboratory, Inc.

Director-General for Commerce and Distribution Policy Award:

Kawaguchigiken, Inc.
Marugo Company Inc.

Excellence Award:

Bagworks Corporation

(4) Small & Medium Retailer Category

METI Minister's Award:

Beans Co., Ltd.

(5) Group Category
No winner of the Special Group Award

• Please see the Appendix. (PDF:1,790KB) (in Japanese)

The award winners will be announced and honored at the "Sixth Product Safety Inspection Seminar," an event to mark Product Safety Inspection Week (the week starting on November 21, 2011). METI Minister's Award recipients will also make presentations at the Seminar.

Outline of the Sixth Product Safety Inspection Seminar

Date:

Thursday, November 24, 2011, 9:45-11:45

Place:

Sakura Hall, Shibuya Cultural Center, Owada (23-21 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku)

Program:

Fifth Best Contributors to Product Safety Award ceremony, presentations by METI Minister's Award winners, speeches on the theme of "importance of product safety," etc.

Admission:

Free

For further information, please see METI's press release available on the following site.
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2011/1110_02.html

November 17, 2011

Product Safety Division, Commerce and Distribution Policy Group