November 27, 2024
Japan Fair Trade Commission
Today, I would like to explain the following matters: (1) Recruitment of New Digital Analysts and (2) Questionnaire Regarding the Case Involving Amazon Japan G.K., etc.
Recruitment of New Digital Analysts
The JFTC is actively addressing competition issues in the digital field by conducting market studies, identifying potential violations of the Antimonopoly Act, and making recommendations for improvements, including the development of necessary rules. To enhance the effectiveness of these efforts, the JFTC has hired private experts with specialized knowledge in the digital field as part-time government employees under the title of “Digital Analyst.”
The Mobile Software Competition Act (the Act) was enacted in June this year. Provisions related to the designation of providers subject to the Act will come into effect on the 19th next month in advance of full implementation, which is scheduled for completion by December 2025.
To ensure the effective implementation of the Act, it will be essential to conduct thorough evaluations based on technical aspects of smartphones and to examine claims related to security and other technical issues raised by relevant enterprises. To establish the necessary framework for these efforts, we believe it is crucial to further strengthen our team by expanding the group of experts in the digital field.
From this perspective, we have decided to open applications for the position of Digital Analyst. The recruitment process begins today, Wednesday, November 27.
The required skills and expected duties for the specialized personnel being recruited are outlined as follows:
- Data Analysts: Expected to conduct data-driven analysis aimed at understanding business practices and operations.
- Mobile Analysts: Provide technical support with a focus on smartphone applications.
- Digital Lawyers: Assist with analysing digital regulations in foreign jurisdictions and offer legal support on adjacent legal domains such as copyright law and tax law.
- Digital Accountants (Certified Public Accountants): Support from an accounting perspective, including analysis of international accounting standards and the financial statements of IT companies.
For this recruitment, we plan to conduct the selection process on a rolling basis, with applications closing on Friday, December 27. We encourage those who are interested to consider applying for the position.
For further details, please contact the Office of Policy Planning and Research for Digital Markets.
Questionnaire Regarding the Case Involving Amazon Japan G.K., etc.
In connection with the investigation involving Amazon Japan G.K., etc., the JFTC has decided to collect information broadly from sellers on Amazon.co.jp.
Amazon Japan G.K. operates a display space on its website, “Amazon.co.jp,” for listing products eligible for the “Recommended Listings” feature. There are suspicions that the company restricts the business activities of sellers on the platform related to listing products to this space by:
For this recruitment, we plan to conduct the selection process on a rolling basis, with applications closing on Friday, December 27. We encourage those who are interested to consider applying for the position.
For further details, please contact the Office of Policy Planning and Research for Digital Markets.
Questionnaire Regarding the Case Involving Amazon Japan G.K., etc.
In connection with the investigation involving Amazon Japan G.K., etc., the JFTC has decided to collect information broadly from sellers on Amazon.co.jp.
Amazon Japan G.K. operates a display space on its website, “Amazon.co.jp,” for listing products eligible for the “Recommended Listings” feature. There are suspicions that the company restricts the business activities of sellers on the platform related to listing products to this space by:
1. Requiring sellers to set the sales prices of their products as “competitive prices,” “reference prices,” or similar terms.
2. Compelling sellers to use a service called “Fulfillment by Amazon” (FBA).
These actions are suspected of restricting the business activities of sellers, potentially violating the Antimonopoly Act. As a result, an on-site inspection was conducted on Amazon Japan G.K. yesterday, and an investigation has been initiated.
To clarify the facts of this case, we think that it is crucial to gather information broadly from sellers. Therefore, we will conduct a web questionnaire primarily targeting current sellers on “Amazon.co.jp”, including enterprises that sold on the platform in the past. The questionnaire aims to collect information regarding actions by Amazon Japan G.K. that are suspected of violating the Antimonopoly Act.
This web questionnaire is planned to be conducted through a dedicated page on the JFTC’s website. Since it is expected to take one to two weeks for launch, please utilize the “Consultation, Reporting, Information Submission, and Procedures, etc.” section available on the top page of the JFTC’s Japanese website to provide information, until the dedicated questionnaire page for this case is ready. Specifically, please submit information on the “Reporting for Suspected Violation of Antimonopoly Act” item in the “Reporting” of the “Consultation, Reporting, Information Submission, and Procedures, etc.” section.
Based on the information provided by sellers, the JFTC may contact them if necessary. Please rest assured that any personal information, such as names provided through the “Consultation, Reporting, Information Submission, and Procedures, etc.” section and the web questionnaire, will not be disclosed to a third-party including Amazon Japan G.K. without the consent of a provider of information. We kindly ask sellers to include their contact information.
Please note that the information and opinions provided will be used solely for the purpose of this investigation and will not be used for any other purposes. The JFTC would like to receive a wide range of information form sellers. Once the questionnaire form is launched on our website, we will announce it at this regular press conference.
(Tentative translation)
These actions are suspected of restricting the business activities of sellers, potentially violating the Antimonopoly Act. As a result, an on-site inspection was conducted on Amazon Japan G.K. yesterday, and an investigation has been initiated.
To clarify the facts of this case, we think that it is crucial to gather information broadly from sellers. Therefore, we will conduct a web questionnaire primarily targeting current sellers on “Amazon.co.jp”, including enterprises that sold on the platform in the past. The questionnaire aims to collect information regarding actions by Amazon Japan G.K. that are suspected of violating the Antimonopoly Act.
This web questionnaire is planned to be conducted through a dedicated page on the JFTC’s website. Since it is expected to take one to two weeks for launch, please utilize the “Consultation, Reporting, Information Submission, and Procedures, etc.” section available on the top page of the JFTC’s Japanese website to provide information, until the dedicated questionnaire page for this case is ready. Specifically, please submit information on the “Reporting for Suspected Violation of Antimonopoly Act” item in the “Reporting” of the “Consultation, Reporting, Information Submission, and Procedures, etc.” section.
Based on the information provided by sellers, the JFTC may contact them if necessary. Please rest assured that any personal information, such as names provided through the “Consultation, Reporting, Information Submission, and Procedures, etc.” section and the web questionnaire, will not be disclosed to a third-party including Amazon Japan G.K. without the consent of a provider of information. We kindly ask sellers to include their contact information.
Please note that the information and opinions provided will be used solely for the purpose of this investigation and will not be used for any other purposes. The JFTC would like to receive a wide range of information form sellers. Once the questionnaire form is launched on our website, we will announce it at this regular press conference.
(Tentative translation)
