March 30, 2016
Japan Fair Trade Commission
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) received the notification pursuant to the provision of the Antimonopoly Act (AMA) from JX Group (the group of combined companies formed under JX Holdings, Inc. (JCN9010001131743) as its ultimate parent company.) concerning the proposed business integration between JX Group and TonenGeneral group (the group of combined companies formed under TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K.)(JCN2010401015916) as its ultimate parent company.) , and has reviewed possible impacts on competition from the proposed business integration. With the knowledge that a more in-depth review is necessary, today, the JFTC requested the parties to submit further reports, information or materials, pursuant to the provision of Article 10(9) and 15(3) of the AMA. The JFTC also starts seeking comments from third parties concerning possible impacts on competition that would arise from the proposed business integration in the manner shown below.
The request by the JFTC for reports, etc. does not mean that the proposed business integration would pose any concerns with respect to the AMA.
(※) JCN : Japan Corporate Number
1. Submission of comments
Please submit your comments by postal mail, e-mail or facsimile, identifying your name, address and contact information (telephone number, facsimile number or e-mail address). If you submit as a corporation or an association, please identify the location of main office, the name of a corporation or an association and the name of a liaison person. Please describe, in Japanese, possible impacts on competition that you consider which the proposed acquisition of shares would have, with details as possible as you can specify. Submitting a comment by phone can’t be accepted.
(1) 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: jx-tonen_atsign_jftc.go.jp
(Please replace “_atsign_” with “@”, when you send an e-mail.)
(2) Due date
May 2nd, 2016, no later than 6 p.m. (GMT+9)
2. Privacy policy
Comments received will be used only for the purpose of reviewing the proposed business integration, and will not be disclosed to the 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 the communication purpose where any clarifications may be needed on your comments. The information provided will not be used for any other purposes.
(Reference)
Both JX Group and TonenGeneral group mainly operate in the business of the refining and sale of refined petroleum products.
(Footnote)
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.
