The Japan Fair Trade Commission recommended that Japan Post take steps to prevent a recurrence, citing failures to clearly specify contract terms when outsourcing work to freelancers, a process that required freelancers to submit invoices, and delays in payment.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission announced that Japan Post accepted invoices from freelancers without entering into contracts when outsourcing work to them.
In one case, payment of compensation was delayed by as much as 126 days, and approximately 300 freelancers are said to have been affected.
The commission determined that the conduct constituted a violation of the Freelance Act and issued a recommendation to prevent a recurrence. Japan Post commented that it takes the recommendation seriously and will work to prevent a recurrence.