January 15, 2025
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 nine cities across Japan in November and December last year.
The meetings with experts are held annually, providing an opportunity for the JFTC’s commissioners and secretary general to exchange opinions directly with experts in major cities across Japan. The objectives are to further deepen experts’ understanding of competition policy, including the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, and to gain insights into the actual circumstances of each region, as well as to receive opinions and requests for the JFTC. These inputs are intended to support the effective implementation of the Antimonopoly Act and other related regulations in the future.
Now, I would like to introduce the main opinions and feedback we received from the experts.
First of all, we received many opinions on improving transactions of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The JFTC is committed to raising awareness of the “Guidelines on Price Negotiation for Appropriate Pass-through of Labor Costs,” which was jointly published with the Cabinet Secretariat in November 2023, and to promoting initiatives based on these guidelines to achieve sustainable structural wage increases. In this regard, we received opinions to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure appropriate cost pass-through across the entire supply chain.
Next, regarding the implementation of the Antimonopoly Act, we received opinions to not only take strict measures against malicious cases but also to strengthen follow-up efforts for businesses subject to such measures.
In addition, regarding efforts to improve the competitive environment, we received opinions requesting a market study on the content industries, including electronic comics and animation.
Furthermore, regarding the actual conditions of regional economies and challenges related to competition policy, we received opinions highlighting concerns from businesses about the increasing difficulty of their business situation due to rising wages and insufficient cost pass-through.
Based on the various opinions expressed at the meetings, the JFTC will continue to take strict and effective measures against conduct violating the Antimonopoly Act and other related regulations, while maintaining a fair and free competitive environment.
（Tentative translation）
