Japan Fair Trade Commission Publishes Draft Rules Under Anti Monopoly Act

On June 30, 2005, the Japan Fair Trade Commission ("JFTC") published for public comment four draft rules implementing the new Anti Monopoly Act ("AMA"), which was enacted on April 20, 2005.¹ The deadline for submission of comments is August 3, 2005.

The draft rules respectively address implementation of the recent AMA Amendments in the following substantive areas:

1. Rules concerning JFTC administrative investigations ("Investigation Rules");
2. Rules concerning JFTC administrative (Shimpan) hearings ("Shimpan Hearing Rules");
3. Rules concerning JFTC criminal investigations ("Criminal Investigation Rules"); and
4. Rules concerning the JFTC’s new leniency program ("Leniency Rules").