Private Enforcement of Antitrust Law in Japan: An Empirical Analysis

Simon Vande Walle, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Law and Politics analyzes Private Enforcement of Antitrust Law in Japan: An Empirical Analysis.

ABSTRACT: This article assesses the role of private antitrust litigation in Japan through an empirical analysis. Based on data concerning actions for damages and injunctive relief in the post-war era, the article gauges how much private antitrust litigation has contributed to the deterrence of antitrust violations, compared to public enforcement by the Japan Fair Trade Commission. It also evaluates to what extent private antitrust litigation has resulted in compensation for those harmed by antitrust violations. Finally, it compares the level of private enforcement in Japan with levels in Europe and the United States. The article includes findings on (1) the number of private antitrust actions, (2) the types of antitrust infringements invoked (bid-rigging, cartels other than bid-rigging, monopolization and unfair trade practices), (3) the success rate of antitrust litigation, (4) the magnitude of the damages awards and settlements, (5) the proportion of stand-alone versus follow-on cases, and (6) the kind of plaintiffs that have recovered damages.