「やむを得ない値上げ」と説明も…アイス値上げの裏でカルテル疑惑　明治やロッテなど6社に公取委が立ち入り検査【Nスタ解説】｜TBS NEWS DIG

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has launched on-site inspections of Meiji, Morinaga Milk Industry, and other companies following strong suspicions of a cartel regarding ice cream prices. ■ Six Major Companies Inspected for Price Cartel Suspicion Ice cream is a popular treat during this hot season. However, a situation has arisen that is shaking consumer trust: a "price cartel." The JFTC has launched on-site inspections of the following six companies on suspicion of violating the Anti-Monopoly Act: ▼Meiji ▼Morinaga Milk Industry ▼Morinaga & Co. ▼Lotte ▼Ezaki Glico ▼Akagi Nyugyo According to sources, it is suspected that executives at these companies have been coordinating for several years to raise the suggested retail price of ice cream. This may have led to price increases across a wide range of ice cream products, including their flagship products. Ice cream prices are already on the rise due to soaring raw material costs. Street Resident "This is going too far. It's unfair to people with children, especially those who can't afford ice cream. Adults can tolerate it, but..." "If they were raising prices in that way, and there are people who can't eat it or have to go without it because of it, then that's a bit problematic." The Fair Trade Commission plans to investigate further, suspecting that the six companies may have illegally adjusted price increases to increase profits. ■ Distrust over price increase explanations? "Cartel allegations" shake corporate trust Anchor Takahiro Inoue: If this is a case of opportunistic price increases, it could lead to distrust of the entire industry. The companies have given the following explanations for the price increases. ▼Ezaki Glico (Price revision effective from June 2024 shipments) "Increased raw material costs, energy costs, etc." ▼Meiji (Price revision effective from September 2024 shipments) "Increased logistics costs and packaging material prices" ▼Morinaga Milk Industry (Price revision effective from September 2024 shipments) "Increased labor and logistics costs due to worsening labor shortages" In other words, they explained it as an "unavoidable price increase," but there are suspicions that they were secretly forming a cartel. A "cartel," prohibited under the Anti-Monopoly Act, is when companies collude to determine prices and production quantities. Because price competition is eliminated and higher prices are set, companies can more easily make profits. On the other hand, consumers end up paying higher prices for products that were originally inexpensive. Junna Yamagata, newscaster: While it's understandable that prices might rise somewhat due to various cost increases, if they were taking advantage of the situation to raise prices, it's consumers who suffer the consequences. Distrust remains. ■Past cases have included orders to pay surcharges exceeding 100 million yen Inoue (Anchor): While investigations will continue, there have been past cases like the following. [Past Cartel Cases] (From the Japan Fair Trade Commission website) ▼Since 2022 Two edible oil manufacturers unfairly raised sesame oil prices →One company was ordered to pay a surcharge of approximately 22 million yen for violating the Anti-Monopoly Act. ▼Since 2024 A gasoline retailers' association unfairly determined gasoline prices →17 companies were ordered to pay a surcharge of approximately 117 million yen for violating the Anti-Monopoly Act. ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Subscribe to the channel [Easier to find the latest news] http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6AG8... i_1VC5NmPA?sub_confirmation=1 ▼NEWS DIG Latest News [Important Information Closer to You] https://www.google.com/preferences/so... ▼Submit Information Here: "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Submit Videos Here: "TBS Scoop Submission" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #news #TBS #newsdig