Japan Free Trade Commission
Aiming for Free and Fair competition
Today we're going to learn about abuse of a superior bargaining position.
What is abuse of a superior bargaining position ?
Abuse of a superior bargaining position?
Inspector Momozono Chiyoko
Inspector Koshobu Tsutomu
Abuse of a superior bargaining position
Major Corporation
It is when a business uses its superior position to bully against weaker suppliers.
Request for dispatch of employees
Forced Sales
Improper Returns
SUPPLIERS
Sponsorship Burden
What is abuse of a superior bargaining position ?
Wow, easy to understand.
You mean you don't tolerate bullying of the weak?
That's right.
But who is considered "weak" depends on where you look at it from.
Hmm? What do you mean?
Guardians of Competition
2021 December 14
Six long-established flower stores in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, have colluded to commit fraud.
If we do business with anyone other than these six stores,
these six stores will stop doing business with us from then on.
No matter how you look at it, it's the hotel that's being bullied.
New Inspector Shirokuma Kaede
What's this?
Unkai is making the first move.
Painting himself as the victim, rather than the perpetrator.
I wonder how Nanase-san is feeling right now...
Inspector Koshobu Tsutomu
Good morning.
Everyone, I have an unfortunate announcement to make.
Regarding the case of the suppliers bullying Hotel Amazawa.
Team Cap Kazami Shinichi
The investigation will continue until the end of the year.
Inspector Momozono Chiyoko
So that's how it's going to be.
Isn't the end of the year coming soon?
Why is that?
Must be pressure from somewhere.
Probably from Amazawa Unkai.
No way.
This guy's really something.
If investigation into the supplier bullying ends,
it also means losing a foothold in the wedding cartel investigation that's been shelved.
Yeah, sounds like it.
Don't worry. We still have a trump card.
Ah, what happened to that laptop?
DFT is recovering the data now.
DFT? That person?
Digital Forensics Team.
They're professionals who handle electronic evidence.
DFT Konno Mamori
If we can get evidence of a cartel
or of bullying of suppliers from that computer.
We can go after Unkai this time.
The results of the databank's investigation came in. Bingo.
Inspector Rokkaku Kosuke
Nagasawa, the Hotel Manager,
is no longer working for Hotel Amazawa.
Nagasawa.
Hotel Amazawa Hotel Manager Nagasawa Toshiya
Now's our chance since he got fired.
Maybe he can tell us something.
Let's be careful.
Yes.
I heard you got fired.
Because you took the computer?
Did you know what was on it?
Does it have anything to do with the supplier bullying?
- Excuse me. - Wait a minute!
Did they let you use your remaining paid vacation days?
I'm taking the rest of the year off with paid vacation.
You're lucky to work for a good company.
Why do you care about paid vacation?
It's an important thing, isn't it?
Since we've come all the way to Tochigi,
shall we go check on Nanase-san?
I'll pass. There's somewhere else I want to go.
Eh?
Flower Shop Ishida
How are you doing? How's the store?
Ishida Nanase
I'm afraid it's finally going under.
It's because of that news report, isn't it?
Please don't give up.
If the bullying of suppliers can be proven,
I'm sure everyone will understand that what Unkai is saying is a lie.
No matter how you look at it, it's the hotel that's being bullied.
Thank you very much.
I'll go get you a plate.
Beautiful flowers will bloom in spring
Oriental Poppy
Let's eat cream puffs.
Nanase-san, these aren't oriental poppies.
It's an illegal plant called Hakama Onigeshi which is used to make opium.
I was originally a police officer.
Because of the similarity in appearance,
there are many cases of people growing and selling illegal plants not knowing that they are illegal.
Please report this to the police immediately.
If you sold them without knowing it, you will not be charged with a crime.
Also, please collect the products from the customers that you sold to.
What do you mean by "collect"?
Do you want us to refund the money?
We don't have that kind of money.
Can you pretend you never saw it?
What?
Shirokuma-san, all you have to do is to keep quiet right?
We'll get rid of it immediately.
I don't want there to be any more strange rumors about our store.
I beg you, please.
Ahh... I'm terribly sorry.
If I say any more, you're not going to deliver flowers to us, right?
No, that's not true.
Koshobu-san, have you been investigating here all this time?
How about you? Did you get anything?
Oh, aren't these flowers a little damaged?
Hotel Amazawa, Head of Bridal Department Kenji Usui
What? Oh, no...
You should replace them before the ceremony.
What's with that attitude?
It looks like it's the florist who's being bullied.
Executive Director!
- Good work. - Thank you for your hard work.
Here is the schedule for today's wedding.
Everyone, please put in effort to make this the best wedding ever.
Understood.
Why did you fire my dad?
Wait!
Hey, hey, hey. Stop it.
Are you okay?
It's you guys again?
I thought I forbade you from investigating?
I'm just here for fun. Is that not allowed?
Wait! Wait!
Dad has always worked hard.
He loved this hotel.
So you're Nagasawa's daughter.
Your dad failed.
Adults, when they fail,
have to take responsibility.
I wonder why despite this,
the adults who failed the site inspections without taking responsibility are playing around here.
I wish they would take their jobs seriously.
Wait! Wait! Wait!
Wait! Wait!
What an annoying poor kid.
Shall I file a complaint with the JFTC?
If we call them poor, won't that make them sympathetic?
We are the weak victims here.
We need them to protect us.
Why...
Flower shops collusion
Regarding the flower shops' collusion,
putting pressure on the hotel
this is a top priority investigation.
Please conduct an on-site inspection immediately and gather evidence.
Yes.
Well, as for the situation...
six of these flower stores that have been in business for a long time have been colluding
to monopolize large clients like hotels and funeral halls.
And they're also suspected of shutting down new stores.
bouquet de fée.
Uhm...
It's the florists who are being bullied, isn't it?
Why are we investigating the florists?
This case will attract public attention, effectively warning other businesses.
Chief Inspector Honjo Satoko
- We have to give this priority. - We have no choice.
If we don't take action, the JFTC will be made to look bad.
But that doesn't mean...
So, on the day, we will conduct inspections
on stores targeted for on-site inspection,
including these six stores and one newcomer, bouquet de fée.
It's an illegal plant .... used to make opium.
Can you pretend you never saw it?
Ah, uhm...
Please let me be in charge of Flower Shop Ishida.
Shirokuma, is there something about that store?
Oh, that's... no...
Rokkaku and I will handle Flower Shop Ishida.
Koshobu and Shirokuma will take the new shop bouquet de fée.
Look at this store, it looks really nice.
Nakao and Kaji will take the fifth flower shop Makoto,
Yes.
Saito and Okumura, please take flower shop Yuzawa.
Welcome.
Uhm...
Oh, this is the flower you posted on social media, right?
Yes, you saw it, didn't you?
Yes, I saw it.
It's a rare flower called "All 4 Cute".
- May I take a picture of it? - Please do.
bouquet de fée Shop Owner Aoyagi Ayumu
Uh, we're from the JFTC.
Eh?
It's true, I might be being pushed out of business in this town.
What?
I can't get any big deals from hotels or funeral halls.
It seems like the old flower shops have a hold on it.
I'm trying to come up with various ideas to sell to the general public.
But there are limits.
I see. So those six stores are colluding with each other.
Ah, no, it's just that there's a possibility...
Why are all the vases transparent?
Oh, it's to check the freshness of the cut flowers and the condition of the water.
These are very nice too.
It makes it easy to choose with suggestions like these.
You have lots of different ideas, don't you?
I try to do what I can.
I finally opened the store last year after quitting my job as a salaried worker.
It doesn't always work out well, does it?
It was a nice store, wasn't it?
Flower Shop Ishida doesn't even do that much.
Even that store is making efforts.
They offer low prices and free delivery service.
Then, if you were going to buy flowers, which store would you buy from?
- Yes. - Shirokuma, come here right away.
Eh?
The police came during the on-site inspection.
They found illegal plants in the backyard that are forbidden for sale.
It seems there was an anonymous tip.
I'm disappointed, Shirokuma-san.
Eh?
Over here, please.
She's the one.
May we speak with you?
Eh?
We heard from the store owner.
I wanted to turn myself in,
but I was told by Shirokuma of the JFTC
that it wouldn't be discovered if I just disposed of it secretly.
- I didn't say that. - We'll talk about the details at the station.
- Come with us. - Please wait a minute.
You've spoken to the higher-ups?
I didn't tell her to dispose of it secretly.
I know.
Kaede wouldn't say such a thing.
Section 1 Criminal Investigation Team Omori Tetsuya
Kaede.
I didn't want to say this but...
But haven't you had enough?
You don't have to go through all this.
For the sake of getting back to the police.
Oh, that's right.
I think I'll have time this Christmas.
Let's forget about work for a while.
Let's go out for a nice meal.
Alright.
I humbly apologize.
I heard what happened, that was unfortunate.
The reason you wanted to take that shop,
is that you knew there were illegal plants there, right?
I'm sorry.
It's the lowest form of conduct for a public agency to be influenced by the subjects of an investigation.
You intend to go back to the police, so it may not matter to you.
But Shirokuma-chan, you're part of the Bureau 6 team now.
You're not the only one who will lose credibility.
Well, well, well...
Shirokuma has only just joined us.
Let's let this go, okay?
Be careful, okay?
Yes!
Then, I'm going home.
With all this evidence,
we can issue a cease and desist order to the colluding flower shops, right?
- Eh? - Yes.
I'll go report to Honjo-san now.
Cease and Desist Order An order to a violating business to stop committing an act.
Thanks for your hard work.
- Good work. - Good work.
Re: Re: bouquet de fée
The matter of bouquet de fée's collusion is understood.
- Good work. - Good work.
So you noticed the Hakama Onigeshi as well?
I didn't think anyone else noticed it other than me.
Did you notice it, Koshobu?
I remember seeing it in a picture book a long time ago.
I have a good memory.
I wondered if they were selling it without realizing it or not.
I was thinking of taking a wait and see approach, but
who in the world would have reported it?
It's my fault.
I should have said something stronger.
Out of sympathy for the situation at hand.
I ended up covering one of the subjects of the investigation...
I failed, didn't I?
Shirokuma,
Are you free on your next day off?
As soon as you get back, please put the tip of the stem about 3 cm under water...
Because of the cease and desist order,
he was able to sign a deal with a business partner that six of the older stores had been holding up.
This will weed out the old flower shops.
But that is his fight now.
Shirokuma, you felt sorry for Nanase-san.
But the one I really feel sorry for is that guy.
No matter how hard he tried, he would've lost without even being able to stand up to fight.
That's too painful, isn't it?
That's why we have to protect him.
A free and fair field to compete in.
We are the only ones who can do that.
Guardians of competition.
Yes.
Koshobu, did you come all the way here to tell me that?
Nope.
Eh?
- I just wanted a ride! - A ride...
Ah, Shirokuma, parking ticket, parking ticket!
- There isn't one. - Not this time.
Did I tell you?
I was able to recover the data from the laptop.
- Eh? I didn't hear that! - Oh, I didn't tell you.
This is all the data that was recovered.
What's this?
So what did you get out of it?
That's a bit...
- Please cut that out! - We found out what was on the laptop.
It has nothing to do with me.
4.8 million to Nikko Environmental Conservation Association.
3.6 million to the Kitakanto Agricultural Promotion Center.
5.2 million to the Tochinoki Scholarship Society.
Please stop!
May we come in?
This is from the computer...
The organizations listed here were all charities.
These figures are donations, right?
I don't know.
Every year, a total of 100 to 200 million is being donated.
The Amazawa Group's recurring profit is about 3 billion a year.
It's not an amount that they can't afford, but it's an unusually high amount of donations.
- Where do the donations come from? - I don't know anything.
You really know nothing about supplier bullying?
Yes.
- What about the wedding cartel? - I don't know.
It's useless to ask me.
Unkai
introduced me to a restaurant that has ties with Amazawa Group.
I feel I owe him a debt of gratitude. I can't betray him.
By saying you owe him,
You're just lying to yourself, aren't you?
It's because you're afraid of Unkai.
Hey wait... Koshobu.
You're afraid of the titans,
living in fear of being trampled by them without any hesitation.
This town is full of people like that.
Of course. It's a small town.
But there was one person who stood up to them.
Your daughter.
Why did you fire my dad?
Yukari...
Nagasawa-san.
You've been working as hotel staff for more than 20 years.
Don't you have any pride in that?
You turned a blind eye towards Unkai's injustice and didn't even try to fight it, despite being fired.
Aren't you ashamed to face Yukari?
Leave!
Yukari said,
her father in his hotel uniform,
was the coolest.
Well then, excuse me.
Did Yukari really say that about the uniform?
- That line was good, wasn't it? - What? No way...
I can't wait to see how he acts now.
Isn't that too much for a weak person like him?
- It's in times of weakness... - It's in times of weakness,
you have to look at reality.
Right?
Then, let's go to Flower Shop Ishida next.
What?
We're going to rub salt on the wound.
She set you up, didn't she?
She might feel guilty and tell us something.
Today, we wish to talk to you
not as a perpetrator, but a victim of supplier bullying.
You're still looking into it?
That's enough already.
We're now under the umbrella of the Amazawa Group.
What?
To be honest, our business was at a standstill, so we were saved.
I knew it.
About the Hakama Onigeshi...
When we first came to you, you had them on display in your store.
But at the time of the on-site inspection, they were in the backyard.
They found illegal plants in the backyard that are forbidden for sale.
When did you hide them?
Who told you that these were illegal?
It was Unkai, wasn't it?
I guess he told you to hide it for safekeeping and to get rid of it next time.
Ishida,
you guys were set up by Unkai.
What?
Your husband was ordered by Unkai,
to appear in front of us with a kitchen knife.
Why would he follow such a reckless order?
I didn't understand that part.
I'm sure your husband,
was held hostage because of the Hakama Onigeshi.
Eh?
Your husband...
was being framed as a criminal by Unkai.
Why would Unkai do such a thing?
Unkai...
he was after this store.
He wanted to drive you into a corner and take control.
Effectively, Flower Shop Ishida is now under Unkai's control.
Incidentally, the one who informed the police about the Hakama Onigeshi,
was Unkai, I believe.
But in the end, he bought us out and saved us, didn't he?
Someone is trampling on you,
if you're not angry about it, then that's the end.
Ishida, you already agreed to be under their umbrella, didn't you?
I'm sure your husband will be released.
Unkai will probably say he was mistaken
and withdraw the police report.
But from then, he'll be working as a florist for Amazawa Group,
and will be forced to do what he is told.
You said before,
"Even on an ordinary day...
just buying flowers and decorating them is a wonderful thing, isn't it?"
"We want to provide...
even just a little bit of that kind of happiness to the people in this area."
What happened to that?
Please leave for today.
I'm all shook up as well.
Please talk it over with your husband when he gets back.
And if you want to fight against Unkai,
please contact us anytime.
Uhm...
Shirokuma-san.
I'm really sorry.
Ah...
It's okay.
Don't worry about it.
Why aren't you angry?
Shirokuma,
That person betrayed you.
I can't get angry.
Considering Nanase's position...
You're really too good-natured.
You said, "Be angry! Fight!"
But is that really a good thing?
In a fight, one side always loses.
The loser gets hurt.
The stronger person wins and the weaker person loses.
Is that the kind of world you want?
It's better than a world where the cheaters win.
People...
have times when they need to get angry.
Ah, Masaoka-san.
Have you heard anything about Ando-san's condition?
President of Onsenkyou Kizuna Masaoka Ichiro.
He's still...
President of Classical Hotel Ando Masao.
not regained consciousness yet.
That's concerning.
Who on earth could it be? The one who stabbed Ando?
Who, I wonder?
2021 December 23rd Five days left to complete the inspection.
We've almost reached the time limit.
I wonder...
is there any progress on the supplier bullying?
No... With the cease and desist order issued...
all the flower shops have become tight-lipped.
And the laptop that was supposed to be our trump card
doesn't seem to have anything to do with the supplier bullying...
So is this it?
What?
Koshobu, where are you going?
These are Toyoshima's personal belongings. I'm returning them to the family.
Why did my father have to die?
I'm going too.
Thank you for coming all the way.
How is your daughter doing?
Mitsuki is in her room.
Toyoshima Mitsuki
She's been cooped up in there since the funeral.
That was a bit unexpected.
Koshobu, you care about Mitsuki, don't you?
It's not like that.
- Please help me. - I can't let you through.
I'm telling you it has to be today!
These are the people.
I came here for them.
I thought about it after our talk.
I want to be a hotel manager after all.
I'm not doing anything grand,
but I've been working with a lot of dedication in my own way.
And to have that taken away from me so easily...
I didn't know how I should feel.
But I finally understood.
I am angry.
It's okay to be angry.
Nagasawa-san.
Regarding the supplier bullying.
It's Usui who's at the center of this.
I'm sure we can get something if we search his office.
Please... conduct an on-site inspection at Hotel Amazawa!
Unkai will be in Okinawa on a business trip on December 24th.
Please do the inspection during that time.
Ah... but that's impossible,
without Unkai's permission.
What?
It is possible.
If Unkai isn't here, the hotel manager can grant permission.
You're on paid vacation right now, right?
So you're in the register until the end of the year?
Ah!
Why do you care about paid vacation?
It's an important thing, isn't it?
Nagasawa,
you are the hotel manager.
Yes!
Then, if it's on December 24th...
Eh?
December 24th...
Tomorrow?
That's... practically impossible.
Start preparing immediately.
Eh?
If I can get the committee's approval,
we can conduct an emergency on-site inspection.
Leave it to me.
Rokkaku, get the computers and cell phones ready.
Huh?
Shirokuma, help him out too. We don't have much time.
Yes.
What are you waiting around for?
If you're free, go and take care of the travel arrangements and get a car.
Yes!
You can go in through the back door here. His office is here...
Can I get your approval?
It's tomorrow, isn't it? That's impossible.
I'd like to request for a car,
going to Hotel Amazawa in Nikko City.
Once Amazawa Unkai returns, it would be too late.
Unkai is gathering funds to make donations.
What on earth does he want?
An on-site inspection by the end of tomorrow is the best course of action.
Thank you very much.
I'll go submit the application. Please get ready.
Yes.
[Please leave a message at the beep.]
Committee Chairman
Alright, preparations are complete.
All that remains is approval...
It's Honjo-san.
I still can't get hold of one of the committee members.
Then, what about the approval?
You guys go to the site first.
I'll do whatever it takes to get the approval by tomorrow morning.
Understood.
Then, let's get ready to leave in 5 minutes.
Yes.
- Rokkaku, stay here. - Eh?
I have something else for you to do.
Huh?
2021 December 24th
Here it comes.
Hello.
Sorry I'm late.
About the approval...
Yes?
I have all the stamps now.
Go and inspect to your heart's content.
Yes!
We will now conduct an urgent on-site inspection of Hotel Amazawa.
The purpose of this on-site inspection is to uncover supplier bullying.
I am Unkai's right hand man.
So whatever I say is as if Unkai said it himself!
However... if possible, let's also gather information about the wedding cartel.
Alright, let's do both together and get this over with.
I'm counting on you.
This is the JFTC.
We will now conduct an on-site inspection.
Hey, what's this?
Hey, over there. Don't touch the desk.
Everyone, step away from the desks. Wait over here.
Please remain here until the inspection is completed.
Please take out your cell phones. I will collect them from you.
- Please. - Yes.
Cell phone, please.
Please surrender your cell phone.
Nagasawa, what did you...
Hello.
What? He hasn't boarded the plane yet?
It seems it's been delayed due to equipment trouble.
- Forget it. - Yes?
I'm not going to Okinawa. It's a stupid meet and greet event.
- I'll leave it to you guys. - Eh?
I'm going back to the hotel.
Unkai's going back to Hotel Amazawa.
- Huh? - What should we do?
Do something to buy us some time. I'm counting on you.
Somehow or other...
It's impossible.
Unkai is coming back.
What? He's going to stop us again.
Let's hurry.
Usui
Executive Director Amazawa
The bridal and administrative departments have been inspected.
All that's left is the sales planning department.
Understood.
Hurry up.
Hurry. Hurry... he's coming.
What happened?
Nagasawa... it was you!
For Consumers Fraud Prevention Seminar
Re: Osechi Exchange Vouchers
We will deduct the amount from your flower bill.
How about gift certificates for a stay at Hotel Amazawa as a Christmas present? 500 yen ⅹ 20 coupons for 9,800 yen.
Well, now that we've gathered all this evidence...
What do you think? Would you admit that you are bullying suppliers?
This is stupid. What's this supplier bullying nonsense?
Nonsense?
The flower shops have been draining the nectar, haven't they?
They got the business without making any effort.
If anything, they should be grateful to me.
In fact, they were always laughing at me.
I'm angry.
Everyone is angry in their hearts.
Even so, for the sake of making a living and keeping their stores going,
they've been desperately trying to follow your orders.
If that's the case, why don't they just stop doing business with us?
The reason they can't do that is because they don't have the strength.
That's because you guys...
So you can get angry, Shirokuma.
Well, Usui-san has a point.
Huh?
But, Usui-san,
do you think you are strong?
What?
You're no different from them.
Clinging on to Unkai.
You just think you've gotten bigger.
You've never fought using your own strength.
You have no right to criticize the flower shops.
Aren't you angry? At Amazawa Unkai.
Executive Director.
Hello Amazawa-san.
We have all the evidence we need regarding the supplier bullying.
We'll be proceeding with the cease and desist order regarding the supplier bullying.
I apologize, Executive Director!
Oh...
All this happened without my knowledge.
Are you trying to say you didn't know?
Thanks to you, I was able to learn of my subordinate's wrongdoings.
In order to prevent such a thing from happening again.
I will be implementing thorough improvements.
You will be taking responsibility for this, Usui.
No way... Executive Director, that is...
Unkai-san.
Where did you hide the documents on price fixing of wedding fees?
I couldn't find it anywhere in the office.
There's no way there's anything like that.
But, this is a victory.
We haven't given up yet.
I tried to stop him by force.
But he had bodyguards.
Even with my strength, as expected, they were too strong...
Yes, yes. You did your best.
Eh?
- Oh there are no bruises. - Please stop it.
- As I was saying he had body... - I got a call from Honjo-san.
She said she's certain that a cease and desist order
will be issued.
With this, there will be no more bullying of suppliers.
Ah, but what about the wedding cartel?
Well, with this one case, they said they should be able to re-open the investigation.
Thank goodness.
What are you doing?
After a fight like that, we can't lose anymore.
What? Did we declare a fight?
We declared a fight, didn't we, Cap?
Too strong! Too strong!
- Ah! - You scared me.
Let's definitely catch him this time!
Are you drunk, Shirokuma?
Hm? Yeah, I am.
That's great. Keep up the good work, Shirokuma.
- No, no, no... - Come, have another.
Okay, everyone, cheers.
- Cheers! - Cheers!
Wait for me, Unkai!
Don't say his name!
Don't say his name.
We're good for tonight, right? I've made a reservation at an Italian restaurant.
Thank you!
- Yes. - Can you come out now?
Eh?
Nagasawa informed me he found out where the files on the cartel are being kept.
He said he'd show us before Unkai goes to work.
This is the building.
So he hid them in a place like this.
This way.
By the way, we don't allow electronic devices in here.
So if you have cell phones or bags, please put them here.
You can leave your coats on.
It's cold.
It must be very heavily guarded.
Yes, security guards make their rounds every morning.
Please come in.
Hmm? Uhm...
I'm sorry.
Nagasawa!
Nagasawa! Let us out!
Nagasawa!
Good job.
Nagasawa! Let us out!
Eh!