This update concerns general competition law and resale price maintenance guidelines with no specific connection to payment services, instruments, or payment system infrastructure.
While payment processors may be subject to competition law, this update addresses RPM conduct broadly across distribution and retail sectors, not payment-specific processing obligations.
Specialism
While the update concerns competition law and resale price maintenance, it is a general Japanese antimonopoly consultation with no specific focus on payment services, payment firms, or payment market dynamics.
This is a procedural consultation on general distribution and transaction practices under Japanese antimonopoly law, with no identifiable secondary payments compliance specialism.
2026-05-13 12:37:56·rghosh@vixio.com
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TITLE: Japan's Fair Trade Commission Seeks Public Comment on Resale Price Maintenance Guidelines Amendment
BODY:
On May 13, 2026, Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to its Guidelines on the Antimonopoly Law Concerning Distribution and Transaction Practices.
The amendments address resale price maintenance (RPM) conduct, whereby suppliers instruct and enforce retail prices on distributors. The FTC notes that RPM restricts price competition and is generally prohibited under the Antimonopoly Law. However, Part 1, Section 1-2(7) of the existing guidelines identifies exceptions where RPM conduct is typically not illegal. The proposed amendments expand this guidance by adding new cases and concrete examples where RPM would not violate the Antimonopoly Law. The FTC aims to help businesses prevent antimonopoly violations and conduct lawful activities through clearer guidance on permissible RPM practices.
The consultation materials are available on the e-Gov portal (https://search.e-gov.go.jp/servlet/Public) and the FTC's website (https://www.jftc.go.jp/). Submissions must be made in Japanese and include the submitter's address, name, contact details, and whether the submission represents an individual or organisation. Comments can be submitted via the e-Gov comment form or by email to ryuutori2026-@-jftc.go.jp (replacing "-@-" with "@"). Telephone and postal submissions are not accepted.
The comment period closes on June 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM (Japan Standard Time). The FTC will consider the substance of submissions rather than their volume. Submitted comments may be published, excluding personal contact information.
**References:**
Fair Trade Commission of Japan. (May 13, 2026). "流通・取引慣行に関する独占禁止法上の指針" 改正案に対する意見募集について. https://www.jftc.go.jp/