Law and Economics in Japanese Competition Policy

Description

This book demonstrates how economics is used in cases of competition in Japan. Competition between firms is usually the most effective way of allocating economic resources and achieving consumer and producer welfare. At the same time, a balance must be struck; firms must not be over-regulated, but neither must they be completely free to create a monopoly or oligopoly. Therefore, the role of competition policy is to maintain a balance by using the collaborative economics of industrial organization. The book uses economic analysis to evaluate case studies on Japanese anti-monopoly law, the Act Concerning Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade (AMA), and enforcement in e.g. cartel cases, private monopolization cases, and merger cases. The Japan Fair Trade Commission implements a competition policy, primarily through the enforcement of the AMA, which promotes ingenuity and innovation in business by guaranteeing and enhancing fair and free competition, thereby ensuring economic vitality and consumer benefit. This book is the first authoritative and compact work on competition policy in Japan, which has a more-than-70-year history and is based on solid legal principles. In addition, the book seeks to promote law enforcement based on economic analysis, and includes studies describing the enforcement mechanisms used. It provides comprehensive yet concise information on the structure of the AMA, recent cases, and economic analysis. It also explains the circumstances regarding recent cases and analyzes how the economic policy has been applied to actual cases. Front Matter ....Pages i-xiv Framework of Japanese Antimonopoly Act (Koki Arai)....Pages 1-5 Front Matter ....Pages 7-7 Private Monopolization (Koki Arai)....Pages 9-38 Damages Calculations in Private Monopolization (Koki Arai)....Pages 39-48 Front Matter ....Pages 49-54 Cartel: Indirect Evidence in Japanese Cartel Control (Koki Arai)....Pages 55-71 Construction Industry and Competition Policy (Koki Arai)....Pages 73-91 Front Matter ....Pages 93-93 Regulation of Distribution and Trade Practices (Koki Arai)....Pages 95-99 Exclusive Contracts When Incumbent Can Establish Direct Retailer (Koki Arai)....Pages 101-111 Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position (Koki Arai)....Pages 113-126 Front Matter ....Pages 127-127 Outline of Merger Regulation (Koki Arai)....Pages 129-132 Merger Assessment in Japan: The Declining Importance of Market Shares (Koki Arai)....Pages 133-147 Ex-post Examination of Mergers: Effects on Retail Prices (Koki Arai)....Pages 149-168 Front Matter ....Pages 169-171 Administrative Performance and Legitimacy: An Elaboration Likelihood Approach to Competition Authorities in Japan and the United States (Koki Arai)....Pages 173-194 International Aspect of the Antimonoply Act (Koki Arai)....Pages 195-196 Next Stage of Japanese Competition Policy (Koki Arai)....Pages 197-199 Correction to: Next Stage of Japanese Competition Policy (Koki Arai)....Pages C1-C1