日本禁止垄断法的最新发展

2005年日本对《禁止垄断法》作了重要的修改,该修正案于2006年1月4日生效。修正案的主要内容包括修改了征缴课征金制度(包括增加了征缴课征金的计算比例),引入了宽恕制度和在刑事调查中采取强制措施的制度,并修改了听证程序。它显著增强了公正交易委员会执行禁止垄断法,制止和消除反竞争活动——特别是核心卡特尔的能力。这些修改对促进日本竞争政策,开创反垄断领域的新时代具有非常重要的意义。在将来的进一步发展中,需要注意加大对卡特尔行为的处罚力度,但对实施了不公正交易方法的行为的企业不应该处以征缴行政性的课征金或刑事的处罚。

Latest Development of Japanese Antimonopoly Act

The Japanese Antimonopoly Act was revised in some important aspects in 2005,and the amendments came into effect on January 4,2006.It revised the surcharge system(including an increase in the surcharge rate),introduced a leniency program,introduced compulsory measures for criminal investigations and revised the hearing procedures.The amendments significantly strengthened the capabilities of the JFTC to enforce the AMA and to eliminate and deter anticompetitive activities,in particular hard-core cartel,which is very important in promoting competition in Japan and in opening a new era in the antitrust area.In the future,should be punished more severely,and companies that cartel behavior have engaged in unfair trade practices should not be subject to either administrative surcharges or criminal penalties.