April 22, 2026
Japan Fair Trade Commission
Summary of the 232nd Antimonopoly Meeting
Today, I would like to talk about the summary of the 232nd Antimonopoly Meeting, which was held on March 17 last month.
The Antimonopoly Meeting has been hosted by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (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 promote competition policy in response to changes in Japan’s economy.
This time, at the Antimonopoly Meeting, the General Secretariat provided explanations on three agenda items. From the summary of the proceedings released today, I would like to share some of the main comments and views expressed on each item.
Regarding the first agenda item, “a market study on the transaction environment for creators in the film and animation production sites,” we received comments such as the following: “In some cases, platform operators do not disclose information on viewing figures to the production side. Without knowing the number of views, the production side cannot negotiate contracts for future works based on the distribution performance of the work in question. Such negotiations can hardly be regarded as being conducted on an equal footing, and we appreciate that this point has been clearly identified. We hope that, going forward, the JFTC will continue to carefully point out these emerging distortions that are appearing in individual contractual relationships. We also hope that the guidelines will set out what kinds of contractual arrangements are desirable, and that they will help ensure that contracts between video on-demand service providers and the production side, as well as individual creators working more independently, are concluded on an equal footing.”
Regarding the second agenda item, “The Status of Notifications Regarding Business Combinations and the Results of Reviews of Major Business Combinations in the Fiscal Year 2024,” we received comments and questions such as the following: “The number of business combination notifications in FY2024 was more than 1.5 times the number in FY2020, and responding to them appears to require considerable manpower and effort. Given that the number of M&A transactions is expected to increase in the future, the number of notifications is also likely to continue rising. How does the JFTC intend to respond, including in terms of its organizational structure?”
In response, we explained that the number of business combination notifications has remained high this fiscal year as well, and that the JFTC will continue to strengthen its framework while also seeking greater efficiency in its operations through the use of data and digital technology.
Regarding the third agenda item, “Basic Concept Under the Antimonopoly Act on Activities of Enterprises Related to Economic Security,” we received comments such as the following: “Even if certain measures are taken for economic security purposes, if the direction is to allow information exchange more broadly than before, this could restrict new entry and limit competition, ultimately weakening the competitiveness of Japanese industry. The JFTC’s primary role lies in competition policy and the Antimonopoly Act, and therefore it is important to communicate carefully so as to avoid creating misunderstandings.” In response, we explained that, in the course of compiling this casebook and related materials, we had heard comments that the JFTC can seem intimidating and difficult to approach for consultation, as well as suggestions that it should clarify its views in advance. Against this background, the JFTC is using this casebook and related materials to make clear that businesses are encouraged to consult with the JFTC. Of course, the JFTC’s commitment to strictly enforcing the Antimonopoly Act remains entirely unchanged. At the same time, the JFTC also wishes to strengthen its role as a consultation office, and this casebook and related materials are intended to demonstrate that aspect of its role.
The JFTC intends to continue promoting competition policy effectively and appropriately, taking into account the comments and views expressed at this meeting.
（Tentative translation）
