It is related to the fact that the Fair Trade Commission has established a policy to order a fine of at least several tens of billions of yen in total, alleging that Chubu Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power Co., etc. have formed a cartel over the sale of electricity to businesses. I found out by interviewing people.
The fine is expected to be the highest ever.
The Fair Trade Commission has agreed that Chubu Electric Power, Kansai Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power, etc. will not acquire customers in each other's business areas regarding electricity for businesses such as office buildings and factories. From April to July last year, an on-site inspection was conducted on the suspicion of forming a cartel.
According to the people concerned, it is believed that such an arrangement was made around 2018 after discussions between the companies, and that it was determined that it violated the Antimonopoly Act, which unfairly restricts competition.
In addition to issuing a cease and desist order to prevent a recurrence, the company decided to order Chubu Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power, and other companies to pay a surcharge totaling at least several tens of billions of yen.
The fine is expected to be the highest ever.
With the full liberalization of the electricity retail market in 2016, the structure has changed, with major electric power companies all over the world almost monopolizing the market.