December 24, 2025
Japan Fair Trade Commission
As this is the final press conference of the year, I would like to begin by making two points.
Follow-up Study on the News Content Distribution Sector
First, I would like to talk about a follow-up study on the news content distribution sector. The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has decided to launch this follow-up study as a new market study in the digital sector, building on the Market Study Report on News Content Distribution that was published in September 2023.
A market study is conducted with the aim of improving the competitive environment. By examining actual market practices and setting out the JFTC’s views under the Antimonopoly Act and competition policy, such a study seeks to help prevent violations of the Antimonopoly Act before they occur, while also encouraging relevant businesses to voluntarily improve restrictive business practices. Accordingly, a market study is different from an investigation conducted on suspicion of a violation of the Antimonopoly Act or related laws.
About two years ago, in response to changes in the structure of news content distribution—marked by declining use of conventional media such as newspapers and magazines, and increasing use of news platforms—the JFTC conducted a market study on the news content distribution sector. This study was motivated by concerns arising from these changes, including concerns that the environment in which consumers can access high-quality news content may deteriorate. The JFTC published the report in September 2023.
In that report, the JFTC set out its views under the Antimonopoly Act and competition policy on issues such as how licensing fees for news content are determined. Based on these views, the JFTC indicated that it would closely monitor progress in efforts by relevant businesses to address these issues through negotiations between news platform operators and news media operators, based on mutual understanding.
Since the publication of the report, nearly two years have passed, and we believe that this has provided a reasonable amount of time for the relevant businesses to move forward with their efforts. Accordingly, the JFTC considers it necessary to once again examine the current situation, including the status of these efforts, the current competitive environment, and the extent to which the issues identified in the report have been addressed.
More recently, there have been concerns that some providers of search services using generative AI, as well as services known as “AI Overviews,” generate responses to users’ search queries by using news content without the permission of news media operators. It has therefore become necessary to examine the impact of these new services on the competitive environment in the news content distribution sector.
In light of these circumstances, the JFTC has decided to conduct a follow-up study on the news content distribution sector. With a view to making effective recommendations to address competition policy issues, the JFTC intends to proceed with the study in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as overseas authorities.
While the timing has not yet been decided, as part of this market study the JFTC plans to conduct a questionnaire survey next year targeting businesses and consumers. We would greatly appreciate the cooperation of those who are asked to participate.
Summary of the 231st Antimonopoly Meeting
Second, I would like to talk about the summary of the 231st Antimonopoly Meeting, which was held on November 7 this year. The Antimonopoly Meeting has been held by the JFTC since November 1968, with the aim of gathering opinions from various segments of the public and promoting their understanding of the operation of the Antimonopoly Act, in order to effectively and appropriately advance competition policy in response to changes in Japan’s economy.
Members of the Antimonopoly Meeting serve three-year terms. The terms of the 18th group of members ended at the end of August this year, and 26 individuals, including seven new members, were appointed as members of the 19th group. The 231st Antimonopoly Meeting held on November 7 was the first meeting of the 19th group of members.
At this Antimonopoly Meeting, the General Secretariat provided explanations on the recent status of the enforcement of the Antimonopoly Act, the Subcontract Act and Chapter II of the Act on Ensuring Proper Transactions Involving Specified Entrusted Business Operators, as well as the “Guidelines on Improvement of Transactions between Practitioners and Entertainment Agencies, Broadcasting Companies, etc., and Record Companies.” Members then expressed views calling on the JFTC to steadily advance efforts to prevent violations of the Antimonopoly Act in digital markets and to further promote initiatives aimed at ensuring fair and proper transactions.
As I mentioned last week, the Mobile Software Competition Act entered into full enforcement on the 18th of this month. In addition, the amended Subcontract Act will come into force on January 1, 2026, and will be renamed the Act on Proper Transactions with Small and Medium-Sized Entrusted Business Operators, commonly known as the “SME Transactions Act.” Taking into account the views expressed at the Antimonopoly Meeting, the JFTC will continue to make efforts to ensure the appropriate enforcement of the laws under its jurisdiction.
(Tentative translation)
