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| Japan is working with the United States and Europe to crack down on tech companies |
The new head of Japan's antitrust agency said on Monday that Japan is cooperating with the United States and Europe to address any market turmoil for major tech companies, and said Tokyo is a member of efforts to regulate global digital platforms.
If the deals are big enough, Tokyo can investigate any merger or business partnership in which Fitbit is involved, said Kazuyuki Furuya, chair of Japan's Fair Trade Commission.
He told Reuters: "If the extent of the merger or business partnership matters, then we can open monopoly investigations if the acquirer acquires startups like Fitbit, and we'll look closely." Europe’s Evolution.
In August, the European Union's antitrust agency secured a $ 2.1 billion deal related to Google's acquisition of Fitbit, which rivals Apple and Samsung in the wearable technology market.
Japan is laying the groundwork for regulating large tech companies (Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon) facing numerous antitrust investigations in Western countries.
“Multinational companies like Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon have similar business practices all over the world, so global coordination is vital,” said Furia.
He added: We are working closely with our colleagues in the United States and Europe. If there are measures that hinder competition, we will respond. The Japan Fair Trade Commission is ready to examine whether digital platforms are using their dominant position.
Furuya, who took office in September, said Japan's Fair Trade Commission will examine the Japanese wireless market to see if there is room for improvement to boost competition.
Such a move would help Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reduce cell phone charges in Japan, which he has repeatedly criticized for being too high.
Foria also believes that helping the government achieve its policy priorities could undermine Japan's Fair Trade Commission's position as an independent body that operates independently of political interference.
“If the government is a political priority, then there is no doubt that the Japanese Fair Trade Commission should consider what can be done in this regard,” Furia said.