When the Fair Trade Commission discovers a fact that shows a potential violation of the Antimonopoly Act, the clue for the Commission to commence its investigation is called a "trigger."

Through detection conducted by the Fair Trade Commission itself or based on reports (notifications) from citizens, etc., as shown in the above illustration, an act that is potentially in violation of the Antimonopoly Act is found. Investigations into the incident will then be commenced.
Triggers include a case where a company that was involved in a violation uses the leniency program (system of relief from surcharge payment by voluntarily reporting to the Fair Trade Commission about the violation), and also a case where the Fair Trade Commission receives a request for regulatory action from the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency.