The Japan Fair Trade Commission banned monopoly on the 13th, saying that major electric power companies and gas companies such as Chubu Electric Power have agreed not to reduce prices and not to acquire new customers in each other's business area. Interviews with related parties revealed that an on-site inspection was conducted on suspicion of violating the law.


The Fair Trade Commission believes that companies have signed cartels, hindering the fair competition expected in the liberalization of electricity and gas.


▽ Chubu Electric Power,


▽ Chubu Electric Power's affiliated company "Chubu Electric Power Miraiz",


▽ Kansai Electric Power,


▽ Chugoku Electric Power, and


▽ Toho Gas

were inspected on suspicion of a cartel violating the Antimonopoly Act

.



According to the people concerned, there is a suspicion that Chubu Electric Power, Chubu Electric Power Miraiz, and Toho Gas have agreed not to reduce the prices of electricity and gas for general households in the Chubu area such as Aichi prefecture. about it.



Electricity retailing for households was liberalized in 2016, and gas retailing was liberalized in 2017, and it was expected that new businesses would enter the market to reduce prices and diversify services.



In addition, Chubu Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power, etc. have agreed not to actively acquire new customers in each other's business areas regarding the retail of electricity for large-scale facilities and small and medium-sized buildings that have been liberalized since 2000. There is a suspicion.



According to people familiar with the matter, all of these agreements have been made since around 2018, and the Japan Fair Trade Commission believes that it has hindered fair competition.



Chubu Electric Power, Chubu Electric Power Miraiz, and Toho Gas have admitted that they have undergone an on-site inspection by the Japan Fair Trade Commission, and have stated that they cannot comment.



Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. commented, "We will take the on-site inspection seriously and cooperate fully with the investigation by the authorities. We will refrain from replying to the details of the contents because the investigation by the authorities is underway." I am.



Chugoku Electric Power Co., Ltd. said, "We are confirming this, so we will refrain from commenting at this time."