Hisane Masaki | Jul 07, 2009 1:36PM EDT
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) announced on Tuesday that it will initiate quasi-judicial hearings to review its earlier antitrust decisions against five international freight forwarders.
The Japanese antitrust watchdog’s announcement came in response to complaints filed by the five companies -- Yusen Air & Sea Service Co., “K” Line Logistics, Nishi-Nippon Railroad, Vantec, and Nissin.
In mid-March, the JFTC ordered 12 international freight forwarders to pay a total of about 9 billion yen (about US$94.7 million) in administrative fines for forming a cartel to raise international air cargo charges.
The JFTC claimed that the 12 companies illegally restricted competition by forming the cartel to add fuel surcharges and airport security charges to air cargo service charges.
Of the 12 international freight forwarders, seven accepted the JFTC’s cease-and-desist and fine orders over the case. But YAS, “K” Line Logistics, Nishi-Nippon Railroad and Vantec filed complaints over both the cease-and-desist and fine orders against them, while Nissin filed a complaint over the fine order.
The first hearing for YAS, “K” Line Logistics, Nishi-Nippon Railroad and Vantec will be held Aug.6, while that for Nissin will be held Aug.25.
The seven companies that accepted the JFTC’s cease-and-desist and fine orders are Nippon Express, Kintetsu World Express, Hankyu Hanshin Express Holdings, Hanshin Air Cargo, Yamato Global Logistics Japan, MOL Logistics (Japan), and United Aircargo Consolidators.
Contact Hisane Masaki at yiu45535@nifty.com.
