Japan: Rules partially amending Fair Trade Commission regulations on hearing opinions enter into force

On 18 December 2025, the rules partially amending Fair Trade Commission regulations on hearing opinions enter into force, on the same day as the primary Act. The rules amend 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.