June 29/2005
Japan Fair Trade Commission
The Fair Trade Commission of Japan (JFTC),having investigated into a bid rigging case concerning steel bridge construction projects ordered by the Japan Highway Public Corporation, found a criminal violation of the Antimonopoly Act and today filed an accusation with the Public Prosecutor General against them in accordance with Section 73(1)of the Antimonopoly Act.
1. Accusued Company
Yokogawa Bridge Corp. (Tokyo)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Tokyo)
Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy industries Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)
2. Ground for the Accusation
(1) Fact
The 3 companies mentioned in item 1, together with 46 companies of steel bridge construction in FY 2003 and with 44 companies in FY 2004,agreed that they would decide in advance the winner of a tender for steel bridge construction projects ordered for competitive bids by the Japan Highway Public Corporation and would bid at a price convenient for winner to win. The 3 companies and above 46 companies or 44 companies substantially restricted competition contrary to the public interest, in the field of bridge construction mentioned above, by mutually restricting and coordinating their businessactivities
(2) Relating laws
Section 89(1)(i),Section 95(1)(i),Section 3 of the Antimonopoly Act, and Section 60 of Criminal Code
Parties concerned shall inform Osaka City measures they will take based on the order above 3 (1) and the oath they will not involve in similar conducts described in 2.
*Every announcement is tentative translation. Please refer to the original text written in Japanese.
