Predatory Pricing in Japan - The Battle Between Yamato and Japan Post in the Parcel Delivery Market

Abstract

This article summarizes and comments on Yamato v. Japan Post, one of Japan’s leading cases on predatory pricing. The case clarified the test to assess whether prices are predatory. When Japan Post introduced a new price scheme for parcel deliveries, Yamato alleged the new prices were predatory and sought injunctive relief before the courts. The Tokyo District Court in 2006 and, on appeal, the Tokyo High Court in 2008 sided with defendant Japan Post and dismissed the lawsuit.

Keywords: competition law, antitrust law, predatory pricing