January 8, 2025
Japan Fair Trade Commission
Today, I would like to explain the following matters: (1) FY2025 Draft Budget, Organization and the Number of Officials and (2) Opening of Registration for the Global Forum.
FY2025 Draft Budget, Organization and the Number of Officials
Since the government’s draft budget for FY 2025 was approved by the Cabinet on December 27 last year, I will outline the JFTC’s budget, organization, and the number of officials.
The total amount of the JFTC’s FY 2025 draft budget, including the portion jointly appropriated by the Digital Agency, is 15,845 million yen, with an increase of approximately 3,657 million yen from the previous fiscal year’s budget.
The details of the main measures are as follows.
“Strengthening the control of acts that unfairly disadvantage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)” includes addressing the abuse of superior bargaining positions, such as maintaining transaction prices without consultation on increases in labor, raw material, and energy expenses, as well as the strict enforcement and prevention of violations of the Subcontract Act. A budget of 949 million yen has been allocated for these purposes. We will continue to make every effort to facilitate the smooth price pass-through for SMEs and other businesses.
Regarding the “Improving the competitive environment,” a budget of 38 million yen has been allocated for the operation of the information reception and consultation services related to the Mobile Software Competition Act (the Act) which will be fully enforced no later than December 19, 2025. Additionally, the number of digital analysts will be increased from seven to ten, adding three new positions to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the Act.
“Other” includes 3,115 million yen required for the planned relocation of the JFTC’s office building in FY 2025, resulting in a significant increase compared to the previous fiscal year.
Finally, I will provide an overview of the organization and the number of officials. To enhance the enforcement framework of the Act, the JFTC will establish two new positions:
- Director General for Digital and International Affairs, and
- Counselor for Digital Affairs.
Additionally, two more positions will be established:
Additionally, two more positions will be established:
-Senior Planning Officer in the General Affairs Division of the Secretariat, responsible for addressing urgent organizational issues and tackling pressing challenges, and
-Senior Planning Officer in the Inter-Enterprise Trade Division, aimed at strengthening the enforcement collaboration framework for the Subcontract Act.
As for the number of officials, the JFTC plans to increase the total number by 54, including 35 additional officials to strengthen the enforcement framework of the Act.
With the budget and the organization mentioned above, the JFTC will continuously strive to improve a fair and free competitive environment.
Opening of Registration for the Global Forum
The 1st Global Forum on Digital Competition, organized by the JFTC, will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, in Tokyo. Today, the JFTC has officially opened the registration form for this forum on its website.
The theme of this Global Forum is “Regulation and International Cooperation” in digital markets.
The Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software, commonly known as the Mobile Software Competition Act (the Act), was promulgated on June 19 last year. On the 19th of last month, the provision related to the designation of providers subject to the Act came into effect in advance of full enforcement, which is scheduled for completion by December this year, including the provisions regarding obligations for the designated providers, etc.
In preparation for the full enforcement of the Act, the JFTC aims to strengthen international cooperation with authorities from various countries, lead discussions on future regulations in digital markets, and raise awareness among relevant enterprises and stakeholders.
To achieve these goals, the Global Forum will feature panel discussions on topics such as:
As for the number of officials, the JFTC plans to increase the total number by 54, including 35 additional officials to strengthen the enforcement framework of the Act.
With the budget and the organization mentioned above, the JFTC will continuously strive to improve a fair and free competitive environment.
Opening of Registration for the Global Forum
The 1st Global Forum on Digital Competition, organized by the JFTC, will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, in Tokyo. Today, the JFTC has officially opened the registration form for this forum on its website.
The theme of this Global Forum is “Regulation and International Cooperation” in digital markets.
The Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software, commonly known as the Mobile Software Competition Act (the Act), was promulgated on June 19 last year. On the 19th of last month, the provision related to the designation of providers subject to the Act came into effect in advance of full enforcement, which is scheduled for completion by December this year, including the provisions regarding obligations for the designated providers, etc.
In preparation for the full enforcement of the Act, the JFTC aims to strengthen international cooperation with authorities from various countries, lead discussions on future regulations in digital markets, and raise awareness among relevant enterprises and stakeholders.
To achieve these goals, the Global Forum will feature panel discussions on topics such as:
-“Responses by Competition Authorities and International Cooperation in Digital Markets”,
-“Communication Between Business and Competition Authorities under Digital Regulation Regimes”, and
-“How to make digital regulations “future-proof””
The discussions will involve participation from officials of overseas authorities, including those from Europe, the United States, and Australia, as well as academics, practitioners, relevant enterprises, and industry associations. These sessions will be held in an open forum, fostering a wide range of diverse perspectives.
The forum will accommodate approximately 150 in-person attendees, including representatives from relevant enterprises, within the venue’s capacity. Participation is open to a broad audience, and the event will also be accessible online. Both in-person and online participants will have access to simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English.
The speakers and discussion topics for each panel are currently being finalized. A special page dedicated to the Global Forum has been set up on the JFTC’s website, where updates and additional information will be provided in the future.
We look forward to your enthusiastic participation.
(Tentative translation)
For more information, please refer to the following.
Summary of the FY2025 Draft Budget, Organization and the Number of Officials(the press release of 27 December 2024)
https://www.jftc.go.jp/en/pressreleases/yearly-2024/December/241227.html
registration form of the Global Forum
https://jcs.eventsair.com/1stgfdc/registration/Site/Register
The discussions will involve participation from officials of overseas authorities, including those from Europe, the United States, and Australia, as well as academics, practitioners, relevant enterprises, and industry associations. These sessions will be held in an open forum, fostering a wide range of diverse perspectives.
The forum will accommodate approximately 150 in-person attendees, including representatives from relevant enterprises, within the venue’s capacity. Participation is open to a broad audience, and the event will also be accessible online. Both in-person and online participants will have access to simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English.
The speakers and discussion topics for each panel are currently being finalized. A special page dedicated to the Global Forum has been set up on the JFTC’s website, where updates and additional information will be provided in the future.
We look forward to your enthusiastic participation.
(Tentative translation)
For more information, please refer to the following.
Summary of the FY2025 Draft Budget, Organization and the Number of Officials(the press release of 27 December 2024)
https://www.jftc.go.jp/en/pressreleases/yearly-2024/December/241227.html
registration form of the Global Forum
https://jcs.eventsair.com/1stgfdc/registration/Site/Register
