Region: Japan

In a busy week for antitrust news in Asia Pacific, the Competition Commission of India is investigating an airport operator based on an essential facility theory of harm, but also suffered a defeat in court for not having deferred to a sector regulator. Elsewhere, decisions emerged from the competition watchdogs in Singapore and Hong Kong; and we also caught up with Hong Kong’s Competition Commission.

25 October 2019

The theme of this week’s Tipline has to be all the new inquiries and investigations around the Asia-Pacific region. Two competition authorities have decided to take a closer look at the food industry, while some other watchdogs are examining more targeted issues.

17 October 2019

Japan’s competition watchdog has recommended that companies notify their tie-ups when the total value of the deal exceeds 40 billion yen (€339.3 million) and the merger is expected to affect Japanese consumers.

08 October 2019

Japan’s antitrust watchdog has dismissed a 2013 cease-and-desist order and fine against a company that makes starch used in corrugated cardboard, but upheld its decision against two others.

04 October 2019

Digital platforms have a superior bargaining position over consumers if the use of their services requires that consumers provide their data and accept any negative consequences, Japan’s antitrust watchdog has said.

30 August 2019

Japan’s competition authority is reportedly investigating Apple for allegedly abusing its superior bargaining position by forcing local manufacturers to supply for free information and technology that is needed to produce parts used in Apple products.

07 August 2019

Japan’s antitrust watchdog has fined eight construction companies about 40 billion yen (€330.3 million) for fixing the price of asphalt – a third less than originally expected due to a revision of the country’s antitrust law.

31 July 2019

Competition law is flexible and can be adapted to the challenges of the digital economy, but governments should look at whether their policies or regulations impede competition, agencies from the G7 countries have said.

18 July 2019

Japan’s antitrust watchdog is reportedly preparing guidance that says the use of consumer data without consent will constitute an abuse of a dominant position under the country’s antitrust law.

17 July 2019

Camera maker Canon will appeal against the European Commission’s fine for starting the acquisition of Toshiba Medical Systems (TMSC) before notifying the agency.

27 June 2019