Digitalization and Competition Policy in Japan

This book organizes the intent and purpose of the Japanese competition law (Antimonopoly Act) to address the digitalized socio-economy and provides a detailed explanation of its basic content as well as advanced issues. It includes an overview of Japanese law and its international position, a basic understanding of the big data and AI issues in today's competition law, and perspectives on high-tech regulation. In addition, it includes a variety of important topics, ranging from exploring principles to tackle digital regulatory realities, to understanding and analyzing the competitive realities of multisided markets. It also examines the relationship between information and competition law and that between consumer and competition law.

Digitalization is a key concept in our economy and society today. Carbon neutrality initiatives, the need to improve productivity, globalization, and new ways of working are all seeking breakthroughs by way of digitalization. What’s more, digitalizationrequires free and fair competition in order to encourage technological innovation. The search for transparent and clear competition laws is essential to promote efficient and effective research and development and to promote public awareness through competition.

Part 1. Introduction.- Chapter 1: Overview of Japanese Law.- Chapter 2 International Cooperation and Harmonization in Competition Law.- Part 2: Digital Initiatives in Japanese Competition Law.- Chapter 3: Big Data and AI.- Chapter 4: Big Data and AI.- Chapter 5: Perspectives on High-Tech Regulation.- Part 3: The Realities of Various Digital Regulations.- Chapter 6: Data Regulation.- Chapter 7 Digital PF Regulation.- Chapter 8: Competition in Multisided Markets.- Chapter 9 Competition Law and Consumers in Digital Platforms.

Koki Arai is Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies, Kyoritsu Women's University.

His research fields are industrial organization theory and competition policy theory. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as a special researcher on economics at the Japan Fair Trade Commission and as deputy director of the Competition Policy Research Center. After serving as Director of the Economic Research Office, M&A Examiner in the M&A Department of the Japan Fair Trade Commission, and International Competition Policy Planning Officer, she is currently Deputy Director of the Competition Policy Research Center at the Japan Fair Trade Commission. D. from Osaka University and a B.A. from Waseda University.

Shuya Hayashi is Professor of law at Nagoya University Graduate School of Law.

Professor Hayashi’s main research area is competition law and telecommunications / Broadcasting law. Professor Hayashi is a director of Japan Society of Info-Communication Research. He is also a director of the Japan Society of Economic Law, the Japan Society of International Economic Law and the Japan Society of Community Disaster Management Plan (SCDMP). He is also an advisory board member of American Antitrust Institute.

Professor Hayashi is also actively engaged in making policy recommendations and deliberations in the area of competition and telecommunication/ law and policy. For example, he is a Commissioner of the Radio Regulatory Council, and Deputy Chair of Telecommunications Market Review Board, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan(MIC). He is also a member of the Science Council of Japan.

Dr. Hayashi is a winner of DOCOMO Mobile Science Award (in the category of Social Science), Mobile Communication Fund 2020. He is also a winner of KDDI Research, Inc. NEXTCOM Best Paper Award 2021 and 2017 Best Paper Award of SCDMP.