Kadoya and Takemoto Accused of Sesame Oil Cartel

TOKYO, May 15 (News On Japan) - Kadoya Sesame Mills and Takemoto Oil & Fat have been accused of forming a cartel over the wholesale pricing of sesame oil and related products, prompting Japan’s Fair Trade Commission to issue an elimination order against the two companies.

According to the commission, the two firms coordinated sales prices for sesame oil and edible sesame seeds sold to food manufacturers, raising prices through mutual consultation. The agency deemed this to be an unfair trade restriction prohibited under the Antimonopoly Act and has recommended corrective action to prevent recurrence. Kadoya has also been ordered to pay a surcharge of approximately 22 million yen. The company, however, expressed disagreement with the decision and announced its intention to file a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court seeking to overturn the order.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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