[Rakuten Group, Inc.] “Rakuten Rakuma” becomes the first flea market app operator to become a full platform member of the Japan Association for Distribution Management (AACD)
*Rakuten Group, Inc.*
Press release: September 17, 2024
**
Rakuten Rakuma becomes the first flea market app operator to become a full platform member of the Japan Association for Distribution Management (AACD)
*- Strengthening cooperation system to eradicate counterfeit branded products in the reuse market -*
Rakuten Rakuma, a flea market app operated by Rakuten Group, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Rakuten”), is a general incorporated association.
We have joined the Japan Distribution Association (AACD) as a full platform member.
Rakuten Rakuma joined the AACD as a supporting member in August 2023, supporting the purpose of the AACD, which aims to prevent and eliminate the distribution of counterfeit branded products. We have become the first flea market app operator to become a regular member, aiming to further strengthen our cooperative structure with AACD and further contribute to promoting platform health in the reuse market. In the future, we will strengthen our measures to prevent the influx of counterfeit products by holding study sessions for regular members and increasing the number of opportunities for them to receive assistance in determining branded products, thereby creating an environment in which users can use our services with greater peace of mind.
Rakuten Rakuma has been conducting 24-hour, 365-day patrols and improving its detection logic so that customers can enjoy transactions with peace of mind. In addition, in January 2024, we partnered with KOMEHYO Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “KOMEHYO”), a subsidiary of KOMEHYO Holdings Co., Ltd., the industry’s largest brand reuse company (Note 1), to inspect products free of charge (Note 2). As a result of our efforts to eradicate counterfeit products in the reuse market, we have significantly reduced the number of counterfeit products detected within the platform, and from 2024 onwards, we will be able to eliminate counterfeit products. The incidence of inquiries regarding transactions that are suspected of having occurred has decreased significantly (Note 3).
Rakuten Rakuma will continue to strive to build a new EC platform in order to provide customers with convenient and high value-added services through transactions involving individuals and businesses.
(Note 1) Reuse Keizai Shimbun “Reuse Market Data Book 2023”
Brand/Jewelry Division
(Note 2) Only the shipping fee for shipping the product is borne by the buyer. (Note 3) Calculated from inquiries about transactions suspected of being counterfeit products based on Rakuten Rakuma standards.
* ■Rakuten Rakuma’s efforts to eradicate counterfeit products* Rakuten Rakuma is implementing the following initiatives to prevent the distribution of counterfeit branded products.
Related URL: https://fril.jp/safety/patrol
* 1) Patrol of exhibited products and transactions *
・24-hour, 365-day monitoring of listed products and transactions by detection systems and specialized staff
・Checking reported products/transactions
* 2) Seller screening*
We have established a screening system to ensure that exhibitors comply with established standards.
・Confirmation of registered information (name, address, bank account registration information, etc.) and identity verification
・Evaluation of transactions, checking of troubles and complaints ・Whether there is a history of unauthorized use of Rakuten’s other services.
* 3) Cooperation with rights holders*
In addition to strengthening cooperation with rights holders and rights holder organizations, we have also established a “Right Holder Protection Program” that allows right holders to smoothly file complaints regarding infringing products and acts on “Rakuten Rakuma.”
https://fril.jp/ppip), we are working to collect information on fraudulent listings and take prompt action.
* 4) Provision of Rakuma appraisal service *
(https://fril.jp/ts/guide/authenticity/)
“Rakuten Rakuma” provides free product inspection service by KOMEHYO. If the product is determined to be “out of standard” as a result of inspection, we will refund the purchase price in full.
*Based on past data, etc., products handled by KOMEHYO are determined to be “within standards,” and products not handled are determined to be “outside standards.”
* ■What is the Japan Distribution Association (AACD)?*
This is a private organization established in April 1998 with the aim of preventing and eliminating the distribution of “counterfeit products” and “unauthorized products” in the parallel import and reused product markets. In order to create a reliable market for branded products where consumers can shop with peace of mind, the Association collaborates with related organizations, organizations, and related companies, establishes its own voluntary product handling standards, and implements monitoring and Establish a management system,
We are actively engaged in activities.
Official website: http://www.aacd.gr.jp/
* ■Comment from Hiroshi Anegawa, Secretary General, Japan Distribution Self-Management Association, General Incorporated Association* We have previously collaborated with Rakuten Rakuma as a supporting member to combat counterfeit products, but now they will become a regular member as a platformer. We live in an era where platform operators’ self-management is essential to counter counterfeit products. AACD would like to have more platformers participate. We hope that Rakuten Rakuma will continue to lead the way in improving the health of the CtoC market and the reuse market.
* ■About “Rakuten Rakuma”*
Rakuten Rakuma was created in February 2018 by merging Japan’s first flea market app Frill, which launched in July 2012, with Rakuma, which was operated by Rakuten. By expanding the “circle of circulation” that uses the power of connection to circulate things without throwing them away, and by building an e-commerce world where anyone can easily play an active role, we will revitalize the circulation market and contribute to the realization of a recycling-oriented society. We are aiming for
That’s all