March 6, 2024
Japan Fair Trade Commission
(Main Comments Delivered at the Meeting between Experts and the JFTC)
Today, I would like to talk about the meetings between experts and the JFTC held in eight cities across Japan in November and December last year.
The meetings with experts are held every year, and the JFTC's commissioners and secretary general exchange opinions directly with experts in major cities across Japan. The aims of this are to further deepen experts' understanding of competition policy, including the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, and to inquire actual circumstances of each region and opinions and requests to the JFTC to utilize them for the appropriate implementation of the Antimonopoly Act and other acts in the future.
Well then, I would like to introduce the main opinions from experts this time.
First of all, we received many opinions on improving transactions of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The JFTC has been making various efforts for improving transactions of SMEs. For instance, we published "Guidelines on Price Negotiation for Appropriate Pass-through of Labor Costs" jointly with the Cabinet Secretariat last November, as part of efforts to improve the trading environment in which SMEs can secure the resources for realizing sustainable structural wage increases. At the meetings, we received opinions calling for further support for the realization of a virtuous cycle of appropriate price path-through and wage increases.
Next, regarding digital platforms, we received opinions asking us to conduct a market study because digital platform operators often have a strong trading position with users.
In addition, regarding the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, we received opinions asking us to investigate suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act more proactively.
Furthermore, regarding efforts to improve the competition environment, we received positive evaluations of the JFTC's efforts such as a market study on the news content distribution services sector, and expectations for proactive efforts in the future.
In addition, regarding the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, we received opinions asking us to investigate suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act more proactively.
Based on the various opinions expressed at the meetings, the JFTC will continue to strictly and effectively deal with conducts in violation of the Antimonopoly Act and other acts, and maintain a fair and free competition environment.
（Tentative translation）
Today, I would like to talk about the meetings between experts and the JFTC held in eight cities across Japan in November and December last year.
The meetings with experts are held every year, and the JFTC's commissioners and secretary general exchange opinions directly with experts in major cities across Japan. The aims of this are to further deepen experts' understanding of competition policy, including the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, and to inquire actual circumstances of each region and opinions and requests to the JFTC to utilize them for the appropriate implementation of the Antimonopoly Act and other acts in the future.
Well then, I would like to introduce the main opinions from experts this time.
First of all, we received many opinions on improving transactions of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The JFTC has been making various efforts for improving transactions of SMEs. For instance, we published "Guidelines on Price Negotiation for Appropriate Pass-through of Labor Costs" jointly with the Cabinet Secretariat last November, as part of efforts to improve the trading environment in which SMEs can secure the resources for realizing sustainable structural wage increases. At the meetings, we received opinions calling for further support for the realization of a virtuous cycle of appropriate price path-through and wage increases.
Next, regarding digital platforms, we received opinions asking us to conduct a market study because digital platform operators often have a strong trading position with users.
In addition, regarding the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, we received opinions asking us to investigate suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act more proactively.
Furthermore, regarding efforts to improve the competition environment, we received positive evaluations of the JFTC's efforts such as a market study on the news content distribution services sector, and expectations for proactive efforts in the future.
In addition, regarding the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, we received opinions asking us to investigate suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act more proactively.
Based on the various opinions expressed at the meetings, the JFTC will continue to strictly and effectively deal with conducts in violation of the Antimonopoly Act and other acts, and maintain a fair and free competition environment.
（Tentative translation）
