A city in Japan is preparing to file a lawsuit, demanding 2.5 billion yen in damages due to product origin misrepresentation or "place of origin fraud". This issue pertains to food items falsely labelled with a different place of origin, misleading consumers about the quality and value of the product. The lawsuit is a major step in Japan's efforts to combat this widespread issue and to uphold consumer rights.

In Japan, the origin of a product, especially food, is very important as it is often associated with quality and traditional practices. Consumers are often willing to pay high premiums for products from specific regions, making false labelling a significant concern. This strong stance shown by the city, demanding substantial damages, illustrates the seriousness with which Japan addresses false advertising and consumer rights.

In the US and EU, false advertisement and mislabelling are also taken quite seriously. Legal actions, heavy fines, and even jail terms can be consequences for those found guilty. The EU especially has strict regulations regarding geographical indications of food and drink, to ensure consumers are not misled.