July 10, 2024
Japan Fair Trade Commission
(ICN 2024 Workshop on Sustainability)
Today, I would like to introduce the International Competition Network (ICN) 2024 Workshop on Sustainability. It was held online from July 2nd to 3rd. Commissioner Aoki and other staff members of the JFTC attended the workshop.
ICN was established in 2001 by 16 competition authorities of 14 jurisdictions, including Japan, to promote convergence of procedural and substantive aspects of competition law enforcement. As of the end of March 2024, it is the largest international organization in competition law area, with participation from 145 authorities of 133 jurisdictions.
In addition to the Annual Conference, ICN is engaged in various international conferences, such as Workshops on Cartel and Merger. For the first time, a Workshop on Sustainability, hosted by the French authority, was held over two days online, adopting a format that minimized CO2 emissions.
At this Workshop, participants included heads of member authorities, other competition authority officials, and private practitioners. On the first day, discussions were held on the theme of “The Role of Competition in Supporting Sustainable Development Goals.” From Japan, Commissioner Aoki participated as a speaker and introduced Japan’s initiatives, including the formulation of the Green Guidelines, providing consultation services to enterprises, and conducting market studies on the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging service and the recycling of used plastic bottles.
On the second day, discussions among competition authority officials were held on the theme of “Sustainability Considerations in Competition Agencies’ Day-to-Day Work: Practical Issues and Challenges.” From Japan, the person responsible for the Green Guidelines participated as a speaker, sharing experiences and exchanging opinions on the formulation and revision process of the guidelines.
Regarding the global issues of sustainability and climate change, the JFTC intends to enhance measures such as reviewing the Green Guidelines consistently and providing consultation services proactively while maintaining collaboration with overseas competition authorities. We will continue actively contributing to activities of the ICN for establishing international standards for enforcement activities, strengthening cooperation among competition authorities, and enhancing our international presence.
（Tentative translation）
Today, I would like to introduce the International Competition Network (ICN) 2024 Workshop on Sustainability. It was held online from July 2nd to 3rd. Commissioner Aoki and other staff members of the JFTC attended the workshop.
ICN was established in 2001 by 16 competition authorities of 14 jurisdictions, including Japan, to promote convergence of procedural and substantive aspects of competition law enforcement. As of the end of March 2024, it is the largest international organization in competition law area, with participation from 145 authorities of 133 jurisdictions.
In addition to the Annual Conference, ICN is engaged in various international conferences, such as Workshops on Cartel and Merger. For the first time, a Workshop on Sustainability, hosted by the French authority, was held over two days online, adopting a format that minimized CO2 emissions.
At this Workshop, participants included heads of member authorities, other competition authority officials, and private practitioners. On the first day, discussions were held on the theme of “The Role of Competition in Supporting Sustainable Development Goals.” From Japan, Commissioner Aoki participated as a speaker and introduced Japan’s initiatives, including the formulation of the Green Guidelines, providing consultation services to enterprises, and conducting market studies on the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging service and the recycling of used plastic bottles.
On the second day, discussions among competition authority officials were held on the theme of “Sustainability Considerations in Competition Agencies’ Day-to-Day Work: Practical Issues and Challenges.” From Japan, the person responsible for the Green Guidelines participated as a speaker, sharing experiences and exchanging opinions on the formulation and revision process of the guidelines.
Regarding the global issues of sustainability and climate change, the JFTC intends to enhance measures such as reviewing the Green Guidelines consistently and providing consultation services proactively while maintaining collaboration with overseas competition authorities. We will continue actively contributing to activities of the ICN for establishing international standards for enforcement activities, strengthening cooperation among competition authorities, and enhancing our international presence.
（Tentative translation）
