Japan’s Trade Commission Issues Order Against Rubber Hose Cartel

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission is taking steps against Bridgestone and four international companies that have since May been under the spotlight for rubber marine hose price fixing. The competition watchdog intends to issue an administrative order to the companies to ensure the cessation of any remaining cartel activities, the first time such an order has been issued to foreign companies. The four international companies are the UK’s Dunlop Oil and Marine, a unit of Sweden’s Trelleborg AB, and Italy’s Parker ITR and Manuli Rubber Industries.

“They made similar agreements for the markets in Britain, France and Italy, whereby domestic companies would monopolise the domestic markets, said an official from the Fair Trade Commission, who added that Yokohama Rubber was also named as being involved but is not subject to the order. In July Yokohama Rubber also gained immunity from prosecution in the US in return for providing evidence against its former associates.