Reiko Aoki – Commissioner, Japan Fair Trade Commission

Japan’s antitrust authority feels there is a need for “a brand new government agency” to oversee digital platforms. Commissioner Reiko Aoki of the Japan Fair Trade Commission tells Freny Patel, Editor Asia Pacific, PaRR Global that it is very difficult for a single existing regulator to oversee digital platforms given their complicated business models and technologies. Click here to learn more.

Japan’s antitrust authority feels there is a need for “a brand new government agency” to oversee digital platforms. Commissioner Reiko Aoki of the Japan Fair Trade Commission tells Freny Patel, Editor Asia Pacific, PaRR Global that it is very difficult for a single existing regulator to oversee digital platforms given their complicated business models and technologies. Aoki further says that fines could jump under Japan’s new proposed leniency program given the new parameters for calculating penalties. At the same time, given the flexibility in the way surcharge would be imposed by the JFTC, parties may end up paying less penalties if they cooperate with the authority during the investigation. The proposed amendment to the leniency program is pending before the Diet. Click here to learn more.