April 11, 2014
Japan Fair Trade Commission
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) received a notification pursuant to the provision of the Antimonopoly Act (AMA) from Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT, a US-based company), etc., concerning the proposed integration between AMAT and Tokyo Electron, Ltd. (TEL), and has reviewed possible impacts on competition from the proposed integration. With the knowledge that a more in-depth review is necessary, today, the JFTC requested AMAT, etc. to submit further reports, information or materials, pursuant to Article 10(9) of the AMA. The JFTC also starts seeking comments from third parties concerning possible impacts on competition that would arise through the proposed integration. The instruction for submitting comments is shown below.
The request by the JFTC for reports, etc. does not mean that the proposed integration could pose any concerns with respect to the AMA.
Note: To execute the proposed integration, (i) TEL has established a holding company, and (ii) both AMAT and TEL plan to become wholly-owned subsidiaries of the holding company.
1. Submission of comments
Comments on the proposed integration are to be received by May 12, 2014. Detailed description on possible impacts on competition that you consider the proposed integration could raise is invited.
(1) Procedures for submission:
Please identify your name, affiliation, address and contact information (e-mail address, facsimile number and telephone number), and send your comments by postal mail, e-mail or facsimile.
(2) Submission address:
Mergers and Acquisitions Division, Economic Affairs Bureau,
Japan Fair Trade Commission
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8987
FAX: +81-3-3581-5771
E-mail: amat-tel_atmark_jftc.go.jp
(Please replace “_atmark_” with “@”, when you send an e-mail to the e-mail address provided.)
2. Privacy policy
Comments received will be used only for the purpose of reviewing the proposed integration, and shall not be disclosed to others including the parties in the form of containing any identifiable information. Please note that the JFTC will not make individual responses to the comments.
The JFTC asks for your identification and contact information, for communication purpose where any clarifications may be needed on your comments. The information provided will not be used for any other purposes.
(Reference)
The main businesses of AMAT and TEL (including the subsidiaries of each party) are:
(i) Semiconductor production equipment business
(ii) Flat panel display production equipment business
(iii) Photovoltaic panel production equipment business
(Foot Note)
The JFTC has been authorized to conduct reviews on whether business combination plans may be substantially to restrain competition in particular fields of trade by following procedures prescribed in the AMA. When a notifying corporation submits the notification form to the JFTC and the JFTC receives it, the notifying corporation is prohibited from effecting the planned business combination in question until the expiration of the 30-day waiting period from the date of receipt of the said notification. During the waiting period, concerning the business combination in question, the JFTC will normally either; (1) judge that the said business combination is not problematic in light of the AMA, or; (2) judge that more detailed review is necessary and request submission of the necessary reports, information or materials.
In the case of (1) above, to improve transparency of the review of business combination, the JFTC shall give notification to the effect that it will not issue a cease and desist order.
In the case of (2) above, the period when the JFTC may give notice prior to cease and desist order shall be extended until 120 days after the date of receipt of the notification or 90 days after the date of receipt of all reports etc., whichever is later. In case the JFTC judges in this extended period that the business combination plan in question is not problematic in light of the AMA, it shall give notification to the effect that it will not issue a cease and desist order, same as the case of (1).
*Every announcement is tentative translation. Please refer to the original text written in Japanese.
