Business Apr 14, 2021
The fact-finding investigation is part of a series of FTC surveys on digital markets including for online shopping, app retailing and advertising.
Business / Tech Feb 1, 2021
Japan's new law regulating tech giants' commerce platforms takes effect
The law is aimed at protecting small firms doing business with tech giants, which may use their strong bargaining power to impose unfair business terms on their smaller partners.
Business Oct 22, 2020
Japan's Fair Trade Commission to conduct survey of smartphone market
The Fair Trade Commission is considering carrying out a survey of the cellphone market including smartphones to uncover possible unfair business practices, FTC Secretary-General Shuichi Sugahisa has said. The antitrust watchdog conducted a similar survey in 2018 after low-cost smartphone service providers entered ...
National Oct 15, 2020
FTC raids 14 firms over bid-rigging for school PCs in Hiroshima
The Fair Trade Commission has conducted on-site inspections of 14 companies on suspicion of repeated big-rigging for contracts to supply personal computers to public schools in Hiroshima Prefecture, it was learned Wednesday. The firms raided by the commission for their alleged violations of the anti-monopoly ...
Business Sep 10, 2020
Amazon's Japan unit to return ¥2 billion to suppliers, FTC says
The cash will be distributed to 1,400 suppliers after they shouldered part of the costs to cover discounts.
Business / Corporate Sep 4, 2020
Amazon's Japan unit submits set of reforms to antitrust watchdog
The law prohibits companies from abusing their superior positions to illicitly earn profits from other parties by making demands, including for money.
Business / Corporate Sep 3, 2020
Japan's convenience stores are told to stop pushing 24-hour schedules
by Ben Dooley and Hisako Ueno
The firms' business models have been criticized for putting profit ahead of the needs of franchise owners.
Business Jul 7, 2020
Japan's Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order to major aircraft fuel supplier Mainami Aviation Services Co. after the Tokyo-based firm allegedly obstructed a rival from entering the market. The company was ordered to stop the questionable practice that allegedly violated the antimonopoly ...
Business Jun 13, 2020
The Fair Trade Commission has said some actions taken by loyalty point program operators may constitute antitrust law violations. In some cases, program operators disadvantaged participating stores that sought to adopt other point programs, the FTC said, announcing the results of its first-ever survey on ...
Business / Corporate Mar 6, 2020
Rakuten puts free delivery plan on hold after backlash from retailers
Rakuten’s retailers have made it clear that they are not all on board with shouldering the shipping costs.
Business / Corporate Feb 28, 2020
Rakuten's plan to force shipping costs on retailers draws ire of Japan's FTC
The Fair Trade Commission said Friday it has asked a court to halt Rakuten Inc.'s plan to make retailers on its online marketplace shoulder the cost of free shipping amid complaints about the policy. The antitrust watchdog submitted the request to the Tokyo District Court ...
Business Feb 10, 2020
Japan's antitrust watchdog searches Rakuten office over its free shipping policy
The antitrust watchdog Monday searched Rakuten Inc.'s head office in Tokyo over the internet mall operator's plan to make marketplace tenants shoulder the cost of its proposed free shipping service, sources close to the matter said. The Fair Trade Commission last month launched an investigation ...