Trends in Each Country各国の動向

United States:
Introduced in the 1970s.
Inquiries to government offices from citizens decrease; costs from legal actions and lawsuits caused by miscommunications drop drastically.
Taxpayers fulfill their legal duties and performance improves. Used in speeches by the president and more.
1997: United States Securities and Exchange Commission
1998: Company financial disclosure documents
1980: National Association of Insurance Commissioners
1980: Newspapers & magazines

Canada:
Declares in 2012 to “always use simple wording and proper grammar in all communication with citizens”

Finland:
In 2011, Prime Minister’s Office begins using plain English in communications with citizens for all laws on income tax and traffic safety

Australia:
State governments & legal specialists
Laws pertaining to income taxes and traffic safety written in plain English

United Kingdom:
Fair trade bureaus, government agencies
Certain consumer contracts written with simple wording from the late 1970s. Also spreads to regional municipalities, welfare services, and major financial firms

Republic of South Africa:
Government directives requiring the use of plain language in communication with consumers (1998, 2008)

Norway:
Starts program for “using plain language for public services” in 2009

New Zealand:
Submits Plain Language Bill in 2017

European Union (EU):
European standards for making information easy to read and understand (2014)

Global:
In 2009, the International Plain Language Federation begins activities for drawing up ISO Standards for plain language. Australian government establishes ISO Standards first, which are then standardized internationally.