Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and Japan Fair Trade Commission Meet in Washington to Continue Their Long History of Engagement

Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, Chairman Andrew Ferguson of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Chairman Eiji Chatani of the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) met today in Washington, D.C., to continue the United States and Japan’s long history of engagement on competition issues affecting both countries. The meeting continues and underscores the strong relations between the United States and Japan reflected in the historic U.S.-Japan Framework Agreement now being implemented by the Trump Administration.

“The Japan Fair Trade Commission is one of our closest and most important international partners,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We are grateful to the JFTC for our long history of sharing best practices, discussing common challenges, and engagement on competition issues of interest to both of our countries. I would like to thank JFTC Chairman Chatani for traveling to Washington for today’s discussion. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with the JFTC in the future.”

“I want to thank Chairman Chatani and the Japan Fair Trade Commission for joining us in a productive and insightful discussion,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “The friendship between the United States and Japan is among the most important for both countries, and these strong ties also apply to the longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Japanese competition agencies. I fully expect our collaboration will continue to produce substantial benefits for competition, consumers, and workers in both countries.”

“I am truly honored to participate in today’s bilateral meeting between the United States and Japan, a dialogue with a long and distinguished history,” said JFTC Chairman Eiji Chatani. “As competition authorities confront common challenges, it is vital that our leadership engage in direct and candid discussions. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to AAG Slater and Chairman Ferguson for their gracious hospitality. This productive meeting establishes a solid foundation for deepening cooperation between our nations, promoting mutual progress and sustained collaboration across multiple levels.”

The 1999 competition cooperation agreement between the Justice Department, FTC, and JFTC builds on the long-standing and close relationship between the Department and the JFTC, dating from the enactment of Japan’s Antimonopoly Law in 1947. The Department and the Federal Trade Commission have held regular antitrust consultations with the JFTC since the 1970s, the longest-running of the United States’ bilateral consultations with foreign antitrust authorities.

Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson meet with Chairman Eiji Chatani of the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)