軽油けいゆ価格かかくの不正ふせい引ひき上あげなどカルテル疑うたがい 公正こうせい取引とりひき委いが捜索そうさく

Eight petroleum sales companies allegedly formed a cartel to illegally raise the price of diesel fuel sold to transport companies and others in Tokyo, violating the Antimonopoly Act. On the morning of the 10th, the Fair Trade Commission simultaneously searched their headquarters and other locations.

While energy prices remain high, the Fair Trade Commission believes that illegal price adjustments may have also affected logistics costs, and is working to clarify the actual situation.

The companies being searched on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act include Higashi Nihon Usami in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, which operates gas stations for trucking and large trailer transport businesses, and ENEOS Wing in Nagoya, among a total of eight companies.

According to people involved, the eight companies are suspected of violating the Antimonopoly Act by forming a cartel to raise or maintain the selling prices of diesel fuel to transportation companies and others in Tokyo with whom they have corporate contracts.

The price adjustments were reportedly made by having the sales managers gather regularly.

Diesel fuel is used as fuel for trucks and large trailers, and due to the influence of international crude oil prices and the yen exchange rate, prices have remained at a high level in recent years.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission believes that illegal price adjustments of diesel fuel through cartels may have also affected logistics costs, and is working to clarify the facts by analyzing materials seized during the search.

It is true that we are being investigated by the Japan Fair Trade Commission, Higashi Nihon Usami in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, told NHK.

We will fully cooperate with the investigation, they commented.

ENEOS Wing in Nagoya City commented, We will respond sincerely.

Of the eight companies searched this time, six are suspected of violating the Antimonopoly Act by forming a cartel to illegally raise the selling price of diesel fuel to transportation companies and others in Kanagawa Prefecture. In May of this year, they were subjected to an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission.

In addition, in February this year, a branch of an association consisting of businesses selling petroleum products in northern Nagano Prefecture was subjected to an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of leading a cartel by unlawfully coordinating the display prices of gasoline at member businesses.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has decided to issue a cease and desist order to the branch, requesting measures to prevent recurrence, and to order several businesses that participated in price adjustments to pay surcharges.