On February 15, at the Gunma Lifelong Learning Center of Maebashi City Gunma Prefecture, Local Consumer Group Forum Kanto Area, which aims at a safe and consumer civil society was held with the theme “Let’s maintain collaboration and cooperation to create consumer civil society with everyone's participation".

The forum was attended by consumer representatives from each prefecture in Kanto area including Ibaraki Prefecture Consumers’ Co-operative Union, local government representatives and consumer agencies. 264 people in all attended. Case reports from organizations were introduced and active exchange of opinions was given.

Collaboration and cooperation of the local community and diverse organizations are becoming more important towards solving various consumer problems such as prevention of the elderly becoming victims and the necessity of consumer education. The forum served as a platform and the opportunity to expand participants' knowledge and further deepen understanding regarding consumer civil society issues.

In the afternoon, a diversified exchange meeting was held with participants being divided into 32 groups and group discussions were held.

There was a general impression among the participants that they had various useful information and contents for future activities.