May 27, 2026
Japan Fair Trade Commission
The 55th CPRC Open Seminar
Today, I would like to talk about two topics.
First, I would like to introduce the 55th CPRC Open Seminar, which is scheduled to be held by the Competition Policy Research Center (CPRC) in Tokyo on Monday, June 22 of this year.
The theme of this seminar is “Toward the Establishment of New Business Practices: From the Subcontract Act to the SME Transactions Act.”
The Amended Subcontract Act was enacted in May last year, and came into effect on January 1, 2026 as the SME Transactions Act, formally known as the Act on Proper Transactions with Small and Medium-Sized Entrusted Business Operators. The SME Transactions Act includes new provisions, such as the prohibition on determining prices without proper negotiation, the inclusion of specified transport consignments in the scope of covered transactions, and the prohibition of payment by promissory notes. Although the JFTC has already carried out public awareness activities, it remains important to further promote understanding of the Act among businesses and to strictly enforce it against violations.
At the beginning of the seminar, JFTC Chair CHATANI Eiji will explain the significance and purpose of addressing the SME Transactions Act as the seminar’s theme. This will be followed by lectures by speakers from government, industry, and academia. A Deputy Secretary General of the JFTC in charge of the Act will give a presentation on the key amendments under the SME Transactions Act, its implementation status, and future outlook.
A representative of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) will speak about initiatives to ensure compliance with the SME Transactions Act in the automobile supply chain. In addition, a legal scholar will discuss the significance and evaluation of the amendments to the Act, as well as future challenges. A panel discussion involving attorneys is also planned.
This seminar is co-hosted by Nikkei Inc. and the Fair Trade Institute, with support from the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren).
Registration is now open. Details regarding the venue, speakers, and presentation topics are available on the seminar webpage (in Japanese only). In addition to attending in person, participants may also join the seminar online. We encourage you to take part.
Technical Assistance for the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission and Related Antimonopoly Act Classes
Second, I would like to talk about technical assistance for the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), as well as Antimonopoly Act Classes to be held at Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School and Waseda University.
I just referred to “technical assistance.” In recent years, the importance of competition law and policy has become increasingly recognized around the world. Against this background, overseas competition authorities have been reviewing their existing competition laws and systems and strengthening enforcement. To support these efforts, the JFTC has provided training programs and other assistance to competition authorities in countries and regions seeking to introduce competition laws or strengthen the enforcement of their existing competition laws. This is what we refer to as “technical assistance.”
The JFTC is currently providing technical assistance to officials of the FCCC, with the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This program is being implemented over a three-year period from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2026. Following on-site seminars held in May 2024 and August 2025, as well as training courses in Japan held in January 2025 and from September to October 2025, the JFTC will again invite FCCC officials to Japan for a training course in June of this year.
During this training course, participants will receive training on the legal framework and enforcement practices at the JFTC, including investigation procedures and merger review. In addition, the FCCC has expressed interest in learning from Japan’s initiatives in competition policy education and consumer awareness activities. In particular, the FCCC wishes to use Japan’s experience as a reference for education on competition policy at universities and high schools in Fiji, as well as for designing and implementing public awareness programs for consumers. In response to this request, the JFTC plans to have FCCC officials visiting Japan observe Antimonopoly Act Classes conducted by the JFTC.
I have briefly mentioned Antimonopoly Act Classes at a previous press conference. These are outreach classes in which JFTC staff visit junior high schools, high schools, universities, and other educational institutions to give lectures on topics such as the purpose of competition law and how the Antimonopoly Act relates to the situations students may face when participating in economic activities. The JFTC conducts these classes at around 200 schools each year.
With the cooperation of Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School and Waseda University, the JFTC plans to have FCCC officials observe Antimonopoly Act Classes that will be held at the two institutions on June 8 and 9. This will be the first time that officials from an overseas competition authority have observed Antimonopoly Act Classes in this way.
This observation is intended to help FCCC officials design and develop public awareness programs on competition policy for universities and high schools in Fiji, tailored to the country’s market economy, educational culture, and other local conditions.
In addition, this will provide a valuable opportunity for students to interact with officials from an overseas competition authority. Accordingly, lectures by FCCC officials will also be held. Through these lectures, Japanese students will have the opportunity to learn more about Fiji, deepen their understanding that competition policy and competition law are important internationally, and gain a new perspective on international exchange and understanding.
The JFTC considers public awareness activities in school education for students, who represent future generations, to play an important role in promoting competition policy and enhancing public understanding of competition law. Therefore, not only in this training program for Fiji, but also in future technical assistance to overseas competition authorities and other relevant bodies, the JFTC intends to actively introduce its Antimonopoly Act Classes. Through these efforts, the JFTC hopes to support the development of public awareness activities on competition policy and competition law for students in the relevant countries and regions.
The Antimonopoly Act Classes to be held at the two schools will provide FCCC officials with an opportunity to learn about Japan’s public awareness activities for students. At the same time, they will offer Japanese students a valuable opportunity to interact directly with officials from an overseas competition authority, learn first-hand about competition policy overseas, and deepen their international understanding. These classes will also serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the growing international recognition of the importance of competition policy and competition law. We would therefore be grateful if members of the media could visit the venues and observe these classes.
For media coverage, please contact the General Affairs Division of the Secretariat. For inquiries regarding technical assistance, please contact the International Affairs Division of the Secretariat.
（Tentative translation）
