27 May 1999: According to a recent report, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), Japan“s business “watchdog”, recently rejected a US allegation that Japanese flat glass makers hamper foreign rivals“ entr…
27 May 1999: According to a recent report, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), Japan“s business “watchdog”, recently rejected a US allegation that Japanese flat glass makers hamper foreign rivals“ entry into the domestic market by controlling distribution. The Japanese flat glass market presents no problems in terms of the Antimonopoly Law, the FTC announced after a probe into business practices in the market. US antitrust authorities are expected to ask the FTC to investigate the Japanese market again under an antimonopoly pact to be concluded between Japan and the United States this summer. The US side has alleged Japanese glassmakers“ capital ties with dealerships give them control over distribution and effectively exclude foreign makers from the Japanese market. The FTC has concluded that the capital participation does not contravene the law and that Japanese makers have never instructed their dealers to exclude foreign products as claimed by the US side. The FTC also said that customers seek improvements in quality and faster delivery of imported products and that foreign makers need to respond in earnest to the market“s demands. The Japanese and US governments have agreed to hold a public-private meeting in June to settle the bilateral dispute over the Japanese flat glass market.