Several department store giants including Isetan Mitsukoshi and Sogo & Seibu are being investigated for years of bid-rigging over uniforms supplied to JR East and JR West, Japan’s antitrust watchdog said on Tuesday.
The Fair Trade Commission is running on-site inspections for some 10 department store giants on suspicion of bid-rigging over supplying uniforms to train drivers and station staff of JR East and JR West by discussing which firm would take on orders since at least a few years ago, a source told the Sankei Shimbun.
JR East and JR West, which together employ some 90,000 workers, solicit estimates for uniforms from several firms and choose a supplier based on prices in a so-called “match-the-estimates” process.
A Sogo & Seibu official said “on-site inspections are happening, it’s true. We hope to cooperate with the investigation.”
Full Content: Tokyo Reporter
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
BHP Unveils £31bn Mining Megamerger Proposal with Anglo American
Apr 25, 2024 by
nhoch@pymnts.com
ByteDance Prefers Shutdown Over Sale of TikTok Amid US Ban Threats
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
FCC Votes to Restore Net Neutrality Rules
Apr 25, 2024 by
nhoch@pymnts.com
Apple Rejects Spotify’s Updated App Over In-App Pricing Disclosure
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
FCC Set to Reinstate Net Neutrality Rules Today
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI