

6-8 June 2023
4th EU-Japan Competition Week
Officials and experts from the EU and Japan will meet online from 6 to 8 June 2023 to discuss and exchange good practices in competition policy and enforcement.
The closed-door sessions will focus on experiences and challenges with digital evidence gathering and analysis as well as an update on the implementation of the DMA and Japan Fair Trade Commission’s market study on mobile operating systems and app distribution markets. Officials will also discuss the assessment of sustainability agreements in the EU and Japan, and recent initiatives in merger control.
The annual EU-Japan Competition Week’s objective is to exchange experiences and strengthen convergence in competition policy, to the benefit of citizens and businesses in both the EU and Asia.
AGENDA
TBC
Tuesday 6 June 2023
Digital evidence gathering – techniques and initiatives
09:45-10:00 Opening remarks
- Ms Toshiko IGARASHI, Director, International Affairs Division, Secretariat, General Secretariat, Japan Fair Trade Commission
- Mr Torben TOFT, Senior Expert, International Relations Directorate-General for Competition, European Commission, Brussels
- Mr Jacek KOZAK, Counsellor, Trade Section, Delegation of the European Union to Japan
10:00 -11:10 Session I: Digital evidence gathering – techniques and initiatives
This session will explore experiences and challenges with digital evidence gathering and analysis. This will include an exchange of experiences on the range of tools and resources currently deployed by DG COMP and the JFTC, as well as steps to improve capabilities and keep up to date with technological developments. The session will also consider tools and methods used in the analysis of digital evidence.
- DG COMP’s perspective
- The JFTC’s perspective
Discussion session and Q&A
Wednesday 7 June 2023
Assessment of sustainability agreements in the EU and Japan; recent initiatives in merger control in the EU and Japan
09:05-10:15 Session I – Assessing sustainability agreements: DG COMP and JFTC perspectives
- DG COMP’s perspective
This session will focus on the assessment of sustainability benefits in the analysis of agreements under Article 101(3), as set out in the EC’s draft revised Horizontal Guidelines. This will consider the four cumulative conditions for exemption under Article 101(3) and their practical implications, as well as next steps in the process of the revision of the guidelines.
- JFTC’s perspective
This session will focus on the JFTC’s Green Guidelines and their scope, which includes horizontal agreements, as well as vertical restraints, abuse of superior bargaining position and mergers. The session will also consider the implications of the Guidelines for antitrust enforcement, and how it will work in practical terms, including e.g. informal consultations with JFTC.
Discussion and Q&A session
10:25 -11:35 Session II – Current initiatives in merger policy – DG COMP and JFTC perspectives
This session will focus on the background and rationale for recent initiatives in merger control policy. This includes the implications of draft revision to the market definition Notice, as well as the revision of merger control procedural rules.
- DG COMP’s experience
This session will discuss the JFTC’s experience with its revised guidelines on merger review, in particular the practical impact of clarifications relating to the digital economy as they have been applied to recent merger review, as well as the newly introduced thresholds.
- The JFTC’s experience
Discussion session and Q&A
Thursday 8 June 2023
Digital update: Implementation of the EU’s DMA and JFTC’s market study on mobile OS and app distribution markets
09:05-11:05 Session I – Implementation of the EU’s DMA and JFTC’s market study on mobile OS and app distribution markets
This session will discuss progress and developments in the implementation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), including the interpretation of key provisions (and points of contention identified with stakeholders) and compliance issues, as well as the process of designation of gatekeepers. It will also focus on institutional and practical arrangements for the enforcement of the DMA.
- DG COMP’s perspective
This session will provide an overview of the JFTC’s market study on mobile OS and app distribution markets. This will focus on the concerns identified, the proposals flowing from the report and next steps, including any potential legislative follow-up.
- JFTC’s perspective
Discussion and Q&A session
11:05 -11:15 Closing remarks
- Ms Toshiko IGARASHI, Director, International Affairs Division, Secretariat, General Secretariat, Japan Fair Trade Commission
- Mr Torben TOFT, Senior Expert, International Relations Directorate-General for Competition, European Commission