Japan: Fair Trade Commission adopted rules partially amending regulation on hearing opinions

On 29 July 2025, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) adopted the regulations partially amending the FTC Rules on Hearing Opinions. The document amends Article 1 and Article 13 of the original FTC Rules. Article 1 is expanded to include the Act on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones in the scope of opinion hearings falling under the FTC's jurisdiction. Opinion hearings occur in antitrust cases, between the FTC's conclusion that a violation has occurred, but before it issues a cease-and-desist order. Opinion hearings offer the accused party an opportunity to contest the FTC's findings. Article 13 defines admissible evidence for hearings.