Suspected of repeated bid rigging over bidding for printing paper in the Official Gazette to publicize revisions to laws ordered by the National Printing Bureau, the Japan Fair Trade Commission has entered four companies that handle paper products to conduct inspections, according to interviews with people involved.
The four companies that underwent on-site inspections were "International Pulp & Paper Trading," "Japan Pulp & Paper Trading,"
"Japan Paper Trading," and "Fukui Paper Industry,"
all of which are headquartered in Tokyo and handle
paper products.
According to those involved, the four companies are suspected of violating the Antimonopoly Act for repeatedly discussing and deciding in advance which company to bid for printing paper for the "Official Gazette" ordered by the National Printing Bureau.
The "Official Gazette" is a public means of communication by the government to disseminate information such as revisions to laws, national tenders, and corporate financial results to the public, and is published daily by the Cabinet Office except for holidays of administrative agencies, and edited and printed by the National Printing Bureau.
According to the National Printing Bureau, which is currently available on the Internet, it publishes about 4,4 copies a day.
According to the people involved, bidding is held twice a year, and the order amount per bid is 1 million yen to 6000 million yen.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission believes that bid rigging has been taking place for more than 2 years at the latest, and will continue to analyze the materials and interview related parties to investigate the details of the incident.
Of the four companies that underwent on-site inspections, Japan Pulp & Paper Company commented, "We take the on-site inspection very seriously and will fully cooperate with the investigation."