deregulation

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP chair says review of exemption of newspapers from anti-monopoly law would lead to violating peopleﾕs right to know

Representatives of the Japan Newspapers Publishers and Editors Association (NSK) on April 4 visited Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at the JCP head office and requested that the JCP oppose the Fair Trade Commissionﾕs plan to review the exemption of newspapers from the application of the Anti-Monopoly Law.

An NSK representative said that if this exemption is abolished, the resale price maintenance system that maintains a single price for the same newspaper nationwide will be undermined and that this will spur price competition forcing smaller shops out of business and adversely affecting the current door-to-door delivery system.

Shii said, ﾒWe are opposed to reviewing or abolishing the exemption of newspapers from the application of the anti-Monopoly Law and the resale price maintenance system.ﾓ He stated that the FTC plan runs counter to the freedom of the press and the citizensﾕ right to know. He also expressed concern that fair access to information would be impaired if the door-to-door delivery of newspapers in remote areas is disrupted.

Shii pointed out that the review has been included in the Japan-U.S. ﾒregulatory reform initiativesﾓ report, and said that the calls of the Japanese and U.S. governments for deregulation are extending to newspapers. At the same time, Shii said that it is important for newspapers to be true to their public duty and that the need now is to take a hard look at the trend of deregulation causing various problems.

The Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association is made up of 143 newspapers, news agencies, and broadcasters.
- Akahata, April 5, 2006