Canada and Japan Sign Cooperation Agreement on Competition Law Enforcement

OTTAWA, September 7, 2005 – An agreement between the governments of Canada and Japan to improve competition law enforcement in areas such as international cartels and merger review was signed yesterday by Sheridan Scott, Canada’s Commissioner of Competition, and His Excellency Sadaaki Numata, Ambassador of Japan to Canada.

Kazuhiko Takeshima, Chairman of the Japan Fair Trade Commission, also participated in the ceremony.

"This agreement provides the Bureau with another key enforcement tool to deal with anti-competitive activities in increasingly globalized markets," said Ms. Scott. "More cooperation between competition authorities facilitates compliance and effective enforcement of competition laws, for the benefit of businesses and consumers."

The agreement contains provisions for enforcement cooperation and coordination, notification on enforcement actions that may affect the other country, conflict avoidance and consultation with respect to enforcement activities, and effective confidentiality protections. It is similar to existing agreements that Canada has signed with the United States, the European Communities and Mexico. Cooperation is essential for investigating business conduct and transactions that may have anti-competitive consequences in markets affecting both countries.

"This agreement will increase the Bureau's ability to preserve competitive markets in Canada," said Ms. Scott. "We look forward to an enhanced and mutually beneficial relationship with our Japanese colleagues."

The agreement will come into force on October 6, 2005.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

Cooperation Agreement

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