RIZAP Penalized for Using Influencers' Comments as Customer Feedback

TOKYO, Aug 10 (News On Japan) - The Consumer Affairs Agency has issued a corrective order to RIZAP, the gym operator, for engaging in stealth marketing by presenting influencer comments as customer testimonials.

According to the agency, RIZAP's low-cost gym, "ChocoZAP," featured comments from several influencers on its website between January and March this year. These comments, which were solicited for promotional purposes, were displayed as if they were genuine experiences shared by regular customers.

Furthermore, the website claimed that services such as "self-hair removal" and "self-nail care" were available for unlimited use 24 hours a day. In reality, however, these services were only accessible during limited hours.

The Consumer Affairs Agency deemed these actions to be in violation of the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations and issued a corrective order, demanding measures to prevent recurrence.

The RIZAP Group has stated, "We will work to restore trust."

Source: TBS

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