Antimonopoly Act, SME Transactions Act, Freelance Act, Mobile Software Competition Act, Premiums and Representations Act

Our antitrust and competition practice provides comprehensive legal services related to the Antimonopoly Act, Act on Proper Transactions with Small and Medium-Sized Entrusted Business Operators (SME Transactions Act), Act on Ensuring Proper Transactions Involving Specified Entrusted Business Operators (Freelance Act), Mobile Software Competition Act, Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Premiums and Representations Act), and other relevant laws and regulations. Our team regularly advises clients on a wide range of competition-related matters, including the following:

Government Investigations and Internal Investigations. Our team conducts and manages cross-border internal investigations into suspected antitrust violations, and represent clients in connection with investigations and enforcement actions initiated by the Japan Fair Trade Commission and other regulatory authorities.

Antitrust Litigation. We represent clients in complex antitrust disputes, including class actions, injunctive proceedings, and damages claims arising from anticompetitive conduct.

Merger Control. Our attorneys guide clients through the entire merger control review process, including pre-notification assessment, filing strategy, and engagement with competition authorities.

M&A and Strategic Alliances. The team advises on the antitrust implications of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business alliances, providing competition law analysis at every stage of the transaction.

Commercial Contract Review. We review and negotiate commercial agreements in light of applicable competition, distribution, and intellectual property considerations, including compliance review under the SME Transactions Act, the Freelance Act, and related legislation.

Advertising Review and Regulatory Compliance. Our attorneys counsel clients on advertising practices and promotional activities to ensure compliance with the Premiums and Representations Act and other consumer protection regulations.

Enforcement Against Third-Party Violations. The practice includes pursuing affirmative remedies against anticompetitive conduct by competitors and other market participants, including filing complaints with the Japan Fair Trade Commission, issuing cease-and-desist demands, and prosecuting civil actions for damages and injunctive relief.

Defense Against Antitrust Claims. We defend clients against allegations of antitrust violations, including responding to complaints, cease-and-desist letters, and other enforcement demands from third parties.

Crisis Management and Remediation. Post-incident engagements encompass response strategies, including the design and implementation of remedial measures, assessment of officer and director liability exposure, and development of recurrence-prevention protocols.

Compliance Programs and Internal Controls. Our team assists clients in establishing and strengthening antitrust compliance programs, internal reporting frameworks, and corporate governance structures designed to prevent and detect violations.

Disclosure Obligations. The practice advises on timely-disclosure requirements and related regulatory obligations to ensure that clients meet their reporting and transparency commitments.