Sellers ask antitrust body to probe Rakuten's free shipping policy
Merchants on Rakuten Inc.'s online shopping mall have requested that the Fair Trade Commission investigate the e-commerce giant's planned free shipping policy, according to sources familiar with the move. Some online stores allege that Rakuten abuses its dominant position to force them to shoulder shipping ...
Japan's Seven-Eleven and Lawson to discount foods close to expiration in bid to cut waste
The chains have until now been selling products at list price and had all but banned franchise owners from offering discounts.
Rakuten, Booking.com and Expedia raided by Japan's antitrust watchdog over lodging price policy
Japan's antitrust watchdog on Wednesday raided the offices of Rakuten Inc. and two other online booking operators, alleging they hurt fair trade by requiring accommodation providers to offer their lowest prices on their platforms, according to a source close to the matter. The Fair Trade ...
Japanese road builders to face record ¥60 billion fine for forming cartel to fix asphalt prices
The nation's antitrust watchdog will impose fines totaling nearly ¥60 billion ($536 million) on Maeda Road Construction Co. and seven other major road paving material companies for forming a cartel to raise the price of asphalt, sources said Wednesday. The Fair Trade Commission has started ...
KDDI to end four-year smartphone plan after watchdog flagged antitrust issue
Major mobile phone carrier KDDI Corp. plans to stop offering four-year smartphone payment plans after a government watchdog said last month the contract poses antitrust problems, a source close to the matter said Friday. The plans allow customers who agree to pay for smartphones over ...
Apple reviews iPhone contracts with Japan’s three major carriers after FTC raises antitrust concerns
The tech firm and its Japan arm have reviewed their delivery contracts after sources said the watchdog suspected they may have violated the country’s competition regulations.
Stroller-makers Combi and Aprica raided for alleged antitrust violation
The Fair Trade Commission on Wednesday searched the headquarters of major stroller and baby product-makers Aprica Children's Products G.K. and Combi Corp. for allegedly violating antitrust regulations. The companies are suspected of setting resale prices and instructing retailers through wholesalers not to sell below specified ...
FTC files criminal complaint against four Tokyo-Osaka maglev contractors over alleged bid-rigging
The Fair Trade Commission on Friday filed a criminal complaint against four major contractors for their alleged involvement in bid-rigging over contracts related to a Tokyo-Osaka maglev train link. The anti-monopoly body lodged the complaint with the prosecutor general, suspecting Obayashi Corp., Kajima Corp., Shimizu ...
Antitrust watchdog panel report may pave way for smoother transfers of celebrities and athletes
A draft report by Japan’s antitrust watchdog panel says excessive restrictions on artists in exclusive arrangements with entertainment agencies, and athletes, violate the antitrust law.
Airbnb's Japan unit denies violating antitrust laws after raid by FTC in October
Airbnb’s Japan arm reveals it was raided by the Fair Trade Commission last month but denies any wrongdoing.
Major department store chains raided over alleged price-fixing cartel
The Fair Trade Commission has searched major department store chains mostly in western Japan on suspicion they formed a price cartel to inflate shipping charges for their products. The FTC's inspections over the alleged price-fixing practice were conducted Wednesday at seven chains, including Osaka-based Takashimaya ...
FTC uncovers ties between farm ministry and suspected bid-riggers connected to 3/11 recovery
Former farm ministry officials were found to have landed jobs in firms suspected of involvement in bid-rigging cases connected to government soil cleaning projects in the disaster-hit Tohoku region, sources familiar with the matter say. The revelation came said Wednesday after the Fair Trade Commission ...
