United KingdomEconomy4 days ago

Japan raids ice cream giants over price-fixing allegations

Japan's competition watchdog has raided several major ice cream manufacturers, including Meiji and Ezaki Glico, over allegations of price-fixing. The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) suspects the companies of colluding to increase prices beyond the rise in raw material costs, despite Japan experiencing record-high summer temperatures. Six firms were raided, and reports indicate these companies may have raised prices multiple times by 5-10% annually. The companies have not officially commented on the investigations.

8 hours ago

Osmond Chia Business reporter

AFP via Getty Images

The investigation on alleged cartel pricing of ice cream comes as Japan faces record summer temperatures.

Japan's competition watchdog has raided some of the country's biggest ice cream makers for allegedly forming a cartel to raise the price of their products.

Some of the firms, including Meiji and Pocky maker Ezaki Glico, said this week that they have been subject to an "on-site inspection" by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) over suspicions that they fixed the prices of frozen desserts.

The JFTC said it is not releasing a statement regarding the investigation.

The companies are suspected of inflating ice cream prices beyond increases in the cost of raw materials, even as the country faces a hot summer with record high temperatures.

The six firms that were raided on Tuesday were Meiji, Morinaga Milk Industry, Lotte, Morinaga, Ezaki Glico and Akagi Nyugyo.

The BBC has contacted the companies for comment.

The firms improperly raised prices of popular desserts "several times by 5-10% over the years", according to Japanese broadcaster NHK, citing anonymous sources.

The brands distribute their products wholesale to supermarkets and convenience stores across Japan.

Morinaga Milk, Glico and Meiji said in separate statements that they would co-operate with the authorities' investigation.

"As reported by some media outlets today, our company has been subject to an on-site inspection by the Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act in connection with the setting of sales prices for ice cream and other products," Meiji said.

"We take this inspection very seriously and will cooperate fully with the Fair Trade Commission's investigation," the Hello Panda snack maker wrote.

Glico said: "We will respond in good faith to the Fair Trade Commission's investigation and cooperate fully."

Earlier this year, Japan unveiled a new name for days that reach 40C (104F) or above, after the country experienced its hottest summer on record in 2025.

Additional reporting by Chika Nakayama in Tokyo

Read the full article at BBC News (World) →

Source document: Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)

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BBC News (World)State / PublicCenter4 days ago

Japan raids ice cream giants over price-fixing allegations

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It reports on an ongoing investigation without taking sides or using emotionally charged terms. The content focuses on the economic issue of price-fixing and does not involve political figures, parties,or

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government Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)
press release NHK (Japanese broadcaster)

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governmentJapan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)
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