February 28, 2020
Japan Fair Trade Commission
Today, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has filed a petition for an urgent injunction to the Tokyo District Court in accordance with the provision of Article 70-4, paragraph 1 of the Antimonopoly Act, seeking an urgent injunction against “Shipping Inclusive Program Measures” proposed by Rakuten, Inc. (“Rakuten”), by which all the merchants of “Rakuten Ichiba” would be prevented from receiving delivery fees from purchasers.
The JFTC alleges that Rakuten’s conduct violates the Article 19 (Item 4, Paragraph 5, Article 2 [Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position]) of the Antimonopoly Act.
＊Recognizing that Rakuten stated that, in consideration of influences of the new coronavirus infection on merchant staff resources, etc., it allowed the merchants to decide whether to participate in the measures or not, the JFTC withdrew its petition for an urgent injunction on March 10. However, the JFTC continues its investigation on the Rakuten’s measures.
*This announcement is a tentative translation. Please refer to the original text written in Japanese.
