Japan Fair Trade Commission
Towards Fair and Free competition
Shirokuma, what is the act of a business operator who has a superior position
What is abuse of a superior position?
Inspector Koshobu Tsutomu
New Inspector Shirokuma Kaede
in a transaction requesting dispatch of employees
or forcing a reduction in fees
to gain an unfair disadvantage?
It is called abuse of a superior position.
Correct. What happens if this is overlooked?
Well... the abusive business operator
Forced Selling
Sponsorship cost
Unreasonable Returns
Request for dispatch of employees
SUPPLIERS
Major Company
Abuse Of Superior Position
is interfering with fair trade.
The business in the superior position
will have an advantage over its rivals.
Fair competition is prevented.
Correct.
If there are more subcontractors, what happens to the parent company?
The company will benefit from it.
But the more subcontractors there are, the harder it will be to get them to comply.
Guardians of Competition
I'll explain the new case.
Inspector Koshobu Tsutomu
This company, Ares Electronics, while working with business partners,
New Inspector Shirokuma Kaede
has been abusing its superior bargaining position, according to reports.
Bureau 6 will be investigating.
Chief Inspector Honjo Satoko
Don't tell it's that Ares Electronics...?
Ares Electronics, the world's leading electronics manufacturer.
Hahah, we've got a great case, don't we?
Team Cap Kazami Shinichi
What?
What's wrong?
I know this guy.
He's a nice guy.
Inspector Momozono Chiyoko
Do you know him?
No...
He's the guy I let slip through my fingers.
He fled the scene of a robbery-homicide
and pushed aside an investigating detective.
I managed to apprehend him,
but when I took my eyes off him,
he escaped.
What?
Don't tell me it's...
the guy from the rumor where you chased after the vegetables and let him escape?
What?
Yes.
Please don't omit the most interesting part.
Anyway, it's this guy.
Does that mean he's the one
Inspector Rokkaku Kosuke
who forced Shirokuma to come to the JFTC?
Then it's revenge?
But he was not arrested, right?
The investigation was stopped.
I saw his face clearly.
If we had continued the investigation, we would have been able to arrest him.
But now I know his name and where he works.
Maybe this time we can catch him.
But if he's involved in something major,
we should put the investigation on hold.
Why?
We don't have the authority to investigate.
We have to let it take its natural course.
That's right.
So no revenge, then.
Then let's all get back to work.
Okay.
But if Shibano gets arrested for this.
won't that solve the subcontractor bullying?
That's right. Thanks to Shirokuma,
we saved a lot of trouble.
But we still have other cases to deal with.
What's this?
Ah... this? It's uhh....
My son's baseball tournament is starting soon.
It's a strong school.
He's in the first year of high school and he's already a regular.
Wow, that's amazing.
He has dreams of turning his son into a professional baseball player.
No... If we had started to investigate a big company like Ares Electronics,
I would have been too busy to cheer for him.
That was close. And so...
Now everyone can come cheer for him.
What?
To cooperate with one's friends and compete fair and square.
Sports are the best...
Several days later
Revolutionizing the Notebook Computer
We present to the world, what Ares Electronics has worked hard to accomplish,
the AresRevo.
Although it is low-priced, its specs are equivalent to those of a high-spec machine.
No, it will be much more than that.
It will be released in April. The world will be surprised.
Ares Electronics Product Development Division General Manager Shibano Ryuhei
That's impossible.
It's unbelievable.
This performance at this price.
The world will certainly be surprised.
That doesn't matter.
What's impossible is that that guy is up there with a smug look on his face.
I gave them the information from Shirokuma, as expected, the police didn't take action.
The prosecutor's office tried to take action on our own,
but we were stopped from above.
Public Prosecutor on Secondment Eiko Midorikawa
Shibano is no longer under investigation.
What's going on?
Apparently, pressure was applied.
Pressure?
Is that the power of Ares Electronics?
I don't have the details either.
This is going to be interesting.
- Where'd you come from? - Make way.
You'd better not get in too deep, okay?
If you'll excuse me then.
Rokkaku, go and ask your father.
What?
His father's a senior official at the Public Prosecutors Office.
What?
Is that so?
There's no way he'd tell someone like me.
It's not something you guys need to worry about.
Speaking of which, sorry to make you wait.
Ares Electronics' abuse of superior position,
let's begin the investigation.
So we're going to do it after all...
But the police and the prosecutor's office already backed out, right?
Are you trying to say it's impossible for the JFTC?
No.
Well, everyone thinks that it's impossible,
But doesn't that work in our favor?
Eh?
I'm sure Shibano has let down his guard.
Now's the time to take advantage of this chance.
Let's expose his company's wrongdoings.
Yes.
We might even be able to find evidence of a robbery-homicide.
Shirokuma.
You're a member of the JFTC.
- Do you understand? - Yes.
That was Shibano Ryuhei, General Manager of the Product Development Division.
- That's nice! - Thank you very much.
I was also interested in the old model.
You mean this one is even more advanced?
The overall performance has been increased, and the price has been lowered.
Amazing...
Let's go.
The five of us have to visit 30 businesses.
Was it really necessary to come here?
Because it's a new product from Ares Electronics.
I'm curious about it.
By the way, I decided to buy it.
So it wasn't related to the investigation?
All this time, we could have visited several companies, you know?
According to an anonymous tip,
Ares Electronics's bullying of subcontractors
has been directed at multiple component factories.
And that number is...
30 companies.
30 companies?
That many?
Seriously?
As expected of Ares Electronics.
The scale of bullying is quite different too.
Ares Electronics
30 subcontracted parts suppliers
Details of bullying
The contents of the bullying include:
unilateral reduction of parts unit prices,
unilateral extension of payment deadlines,
refusal to purchase prototypes, and more.
In each case, abuse of a superior position is suspected.
We can't conduct an on-site inspection based on an anonymous tip alone.
So, first, I'd like you to go around to the business partners' companies and gather testimonies.
As soon as we gather enough testimonies,
we'll conduct an on-site inspection of Ares Electronics.
We're currently conducting interviews.
In your dealings with Ares Electronics,
have you encountered any problems?
Is there anything going on?
President of Mitsutani Electronics Manufacturing Mitani Shizue
No, not particularly.
May I take a look inside?
Go ahead.
Are these returned items?
Product Development Division General Manager Shibano Ryuhei
Ares Electronics Company
From Ares Electronics?
Yes, prototypes.
You mean they didn't buy them?
Well...
I'm sure it costs a considerable amount of money to develop these.
Can't you sell it to other electronics manufacturers?
Can you tell us more about it?
I'm sorry.
I will check and get back to you.
Please do. I believe we can be of help.
Huh? They lowered the price, didn't they?
Yes.
Is Ares Electronics unilaterally reducing the price?
President of Ichiki Manufacturing Co. Ichiki Ko
Ah! No, no, no. Uh, that's not what I meant...
It seems there are times when payment was postponed.
Well, that's...
Are they giving you trouble?
Uhm, please give me some time.
We will discuss this with you next time.
Ares Electronics is the only manufacturer you deal with, isn't it?
We can't do business with Ares Electronics' competitors.
President of Nishina Crafts Nishina Takuya
What are you being told by Ares Electronics?
Well, that's...
Excuse me, but...
If you lose the contract with Ares Electronics,
you won't be able to survive, right?
That's true, but...
Uhm... please let me contact you later.
Ah...
Unilateral price reductions, postponement of payment deadlines,
and also, refusal to purchase.
All of them constitute abuse of a superior position.
No one is giving us a clear answer.
After all, they are dealing with the world famous Ares Electronics.
They must be afraid of the relationship going bad.
As long as they comply,
they won't lose their jobs.
But still, the reaction is the same everywhere.
I'm President Marukawa.
President of Marukawa Metal Industry Co. Marukawa Toshiharu
Please come in.
I'm sorry you had to come all the way here.
There's nothing in particular that's troubling us.
We just wanted to ask you a few questions.
I apologize for taking time out of your busy schedule.
You seem to be taking on this job at a very low price.
Are you making a profit?
Yes, we're managing somehow.
Uhm, those are returned goods, right?
Ah...
In order to make good products, it can't be helped.
I'm back.
Oh, thanks for your hard work.
Are they employees?
Yes.
I see. So that's how it is.
Eh?
Those people were at the Ares Electronics product presentation.
They were working as security and delivery.
You really have a good memory, don't you?
Were you forced to help?
It's only natural for us to help out.
It's not a problem if they were sent as part of their job.
Are you getting paid for that?
I'm doing it as a favor.
Even to the point of shutting down the plant?
It's a weekday.
It's like a training program.
This kind of behavior is called abuse of a superior position,
and constitutes bullying of a subcontractor.
We can stop it if you testify.
There's no problem.
No...
This is wrong.
If you don't fight, nothing will change.
There's no need for an investigation.
This company is definitely being bullied.
But there was something different about them.
This company is the only one so far,
that has clearly denied any trouble.
I didn't get any testimonies,
but after visiting 30 suppliers,
I was able to infer this is where the bullying was coming from.
It matches the contents of the tipoff, no doubt about it.
All of the companies are highly dependent on Ares Electronics,
and can't afford to have their contracts terminated.
They're taking advantage of that weakness and forcing them to do whatever they want.
This is a common pattern.
They are pressuring them not to do business with their competitors, aren't they?
That's pretty vicious.
But why would Shibano go this far?
That's... well, it's okay, isn't it?
It's to beat the competition.
For the amount of work he's forcing his suppliers to do,
he can develop in a shorter period of time, keep prices down, and increase performance.
Unforgivable, this world famous Ares Electronics.
They make so many people suffer to make their products...
Well, well, well...
You all have to be very cautious about this.
If we continue to pursuade them patiently,
I'm sure someone will testify.
Well, now we have a clear path.
There are 30 companies,
I'm sure at least one of them will testify.
Yes! If we work together, we can solve this problem before you know it.
That's why I brought this.
What's this?
I've prepared T-shirts for everyone.
Wow...
If we leave now, we can still make it to the semifinals.
Let's hurry up.
I knew there was a reason you were in such a hurry.
Aim for the top ! !
This is great!
Hahaha.
What are you doing?
Oh! It looks good on you.
- Ah! - Oh!
Hurry up, hurry up.
Yes, this is Bureau 6.
Eh!?
Shibano is here.
- He wants to talk to us. - Eh?
You mean he found out about the investigation?
Please let me interview him.
I'll definitely make him confess.
Confess? We're not the police!
My condolences.
Don't worry about it.
I'll leave the rest to you.
Eh?
What? Are you mad about something?
No.
What's with that outfit?
Oh.
Koshobu.
This is a cheering T-shirt for a baseball team.
Do you like baseball, Shibano-san?
Are you kidding?
Excuse me.
Uhm...what can I do for you?
It seems you're looking into our business partners.
So I thought I'd cooperate.
Cooperate?
It's true,
these business partners have been having a hard time.
They've helped us in various ways to develop new products.
They even helped us lower the unit price of parts.
You admit to that?
But all of those proposals came from our suppliers.
We have never requested anything from them.
We had nothing to do with it.
Huh?
Here's the proof.
Memorandum of understanding I promise to comply with the following
Proposal for product price revision.
This seems to be a proposal from the supplier.
- Right? - In writing.
It seems unlikely that they would voluntarily lower their prices.
Everyone is desperate to do business with us.
There are plenty of competitors.
Eh?
All this points towards the suppliers, doesn't it?
That's amazing.
How can they cooperate with Ares Electronics so conveniently?
Huh?
Have we met before?
Ah! You're the detective from back then.
Hahaha...!
So you got demoted?
Oh, that's right.
You almost arrested a good citizen.
Good citizen?
If you had nothing to hide, then why did you run away from the police?
Hey, hey, hey, Shirokuma.
Because I had something urgent to do.
Huh?
What was so urgent that you had to shove a cop out of the way?
Hahaha...!
Answer me!
Here it comes, Detective Shirokuma.
Oh? Is this an interrogation?
Ah...
Isn't this problematic?
The JFTC doesn't have the authority
to conduct criminal investigations, does it?
I'm going to slip through your fingers again.
So, please stop any more useless investigations.
If you'll excuse me.
Shibano-san.
Wow!
I knew you used to play baseball.
Oh... ah...
Stop kidding around.
Why do you keep bringing up baseball!? Urgh...
Please don't attack me.
I'm so pissed off.
What's with that guy!
Why? Just tell me the details...
- Wait a minute... - I'm back.
They keep coming in by e-mail, too.
Bad. It's bad.
What's going on?
We've been contacted by Ares Electronics' business partners.
"no need for an investigation"
"There is nothing to say. There is no need for an investigation."
There are no facts that would constitute an abuse of a superior position by Ares Electrictonics.
30 companies in total.
All the business partners came back as a result.
It's Shibano's work, that's for sure!
What did Shibano say?
That's...
It seems all of these proposals came from the partners' side.
He went to all the trouble of bringing the paperwork.
He's pretty confident.
So that's how it is.
Does that mean...
I guess this case is closed.
What are you talking about?
Of course Shibano forced them to do it!
I'm just kidding.
But this reduces the possibility of the on-site inspection, doesn't it?
Even so, these guys have great teamwork.
The same response at the same time.
- They must be talking to each other. - That's right.
With this many companies, it's usually difficult to be so co-ordinated.
One of the business partners must be in charge of keeping things together, right?
Eh?
Shibano is making the business partners
follow him through that person.
Who would that be?
Marukawa.
Oh, Shibano.
Prosecutor Rokkaku, I'm surprised you backed out.
Public Prosecutor / Rokkaku's Father Rokkaku Atsuo
What are you talking about?
Shibano Ryuhei's case.
The prosecutor's office tried to take action on our own,
but we were stopped from above.
Shibano is no longer under investigation.
Where is this pressure coming from?
How many people have the power
to not only influence the police, but also the prosecutors.
I believe that number is very limited.
It's not something that you, JFTC, should be concerned about.
Is it a politician?
Or just bureaucracy?
More importantly...
I'd appreciate it if you don't stir things up on the field too much.
We don't agree with it either.
I apologize for that.
Ares Electronics' legal advisor was also upset
Public Prosecutor Komaba Naoki
that you were interrogating Shibano for robbery-homicide.
It wasn't so much an interrogation...
No, she totally had the face of a detective.
It was very intense.
We, the prosecutors, have eliminated that man from our investigations.
What are you trying to do?
I'm...
I apologize. We will be very careful now.
From now on, if you continue to upset Ares Electronics,
they will sue you for improper investigation.
You're right.
More importantly, there's something else I need from you.
Yes.
Please give top priority to this matter.
I don't think it's something that's very urgent.
The Prosecutor's Office is asking you to give this priority.
I understand. We'll give top priority.
Well, then.
- You're clearly harassing us! - Hey stop it.
He has every right to be angry.
He didn't give up because he wanted to.
And yet, the JFTC did something that looked like an interrogation.
Then, for the time being...
shall we suspend the investigation into Ares Electronics
and start working on a new case?
That's...just because the prosecutor said so...
You are responsible for this.
Excuse me.
Good work.
Well, well, well... hey...
Let's decide who's going to get assigned the work, so everyone gather around.
You're in a good mood.
Do you really think this case is over so quickly?
My son's team won the semifinals the other day.
I really want to go to the finals!
I don't know what to think anymore.
Where are you going?
Oh, to Marukawa's place.
But the case...
We have no choice but to follow orders from the top.
The Prosecutor's Office and JFTC are just like all the subcontractors.
Nevertheless, are you telling me
I have no right to stand up against that?
Hurry up and catch up with him.
What?
We'll take care of things over here.
Excuse me.
After visiting 30 suppliers
we were able to infer that Ares Electronics is abusing their superior position.
We went through a lot of trouble to gather this information.
Do you still maintain that there was no abuse?
We can help you if you testify.
But it depends on how you look at it.
It's something we have to do in order to make a good product.
Ares Electronics is working hard to beat its competitors.
We have to work hard too.
By saying that,
did you persuade all the business partners as well?
Marukawa, you're the one organizing the business partners, right?
Well, I am the secretary of the union.
I knew it.
You and Shibano-san seem to have known each other for a long time.
Was it fate?
This boy is you, Marukawa,
and this is Shibano.
Your faces, I recognized them easily.
Marukawa, you were the captain, weren't you?
So what about it?
Is that why you're taking Shibano's side?
That doesn't mean I'm taking sides.
It's just that, I'm now in a different position,
part of a team with the same goal.
I consider them my friends.
Friends....
Passionate.
But do you really mean that?
Yes, I do.
In order to survive,
we have to combine our strengths to work together.
What's so bad about that?
Please leave us. We will be fine.
We are sorry to inform you that we will be temporarily closed today.
Thank you for your cooperation, everyone.
Just a little more patience.
Once the new product is successfully launched, I'm sure conditions will change.
Until then, let's hang in there for that final step and do our best.
Really?
I personally don't think so.
Isn't this our chance?
The JFTC is moving in on this.
Cooperating with them
will help to expose Ares Electronics' wrongdoings.
Stirring things up will only worsen our relationship with Ares Electronics.
Right now, we're all working as one toward the development of new products...
Marukawa-san.
Whose side are you on?
Ares Electronics or us, the subcontractors?
Which side? Of course it's...
I heard a rumor,
that you have a personal connection with Shibano.
You were on the same baseball team.
I hate to say this, but...
you're not cheating on us or anything, are you?
No way, of course not.
Have some food.
I see. So Marukawa was the coordinator.
I've talked to the other business partners.
They all admitted that Marukawa persuaded them.
He seems to be a well-liked person.
But why would he go to such lengths?
Is he getting preferential treatment?
No, Marukawa Metal is definitely being bullied.
Right?
Even though he's in a different position,
he says Shibano is a member of the team and is a friend.
That may be true.
The Prosecutor's Office and JFTC are also team mates who work for the good of the world.
You like them don't you? Sports-minded people.
Friends, perseverance, and so on.
Is that a bad thing?
That's right.
- I'm back from a hearing. - Good work.
The case that was forced on us by the prosecutor's office...
I think we'll be able to close it soon.
I'm sorry.
How did it go over there?
Marukawa admitted that he was the coordinator.
But it doesn't look like we're going to get much cooperation.
Don't give up, okay?
You don't have to worry about it.
Momozono-san.
That's nice, isn't it?
We'll pull together and get out of this pinch.
Like a two-outs, bases loaded, one hit, type of comeback?
Yes!
Again with the sports analogies.
But it's good,
the fact that they managed to pull together like this, isn't it?
Where are you going?
I'm going to ask Honjo if we can do an on-site inspection.
That's not possible yet.
We don't have any proof that Ares Electronics is bullying anyone, do we?
Ah, it's not Ares Electronics.
We're going to Marukawa Metal to conduct the on-site inspection.
What are you talking about?
Koshobu, what's going on?
As a result of our investigation.
we know that Marukawa and Shibano have a personal connection.
It's clear that he's complicit in Ares Electronics' abusive practices.
Hang on a minute.
Marukawa Metal is definitely being bullied.
The perpetrator is Shibano.
If it gets out that we conducted an on-site inspection,
Marukawa Metal's reputation will be damaged.
He will suffer even more, right?
What are you trying to do by bullying the weak one?
What is your intention? Koshobu.
What do you mean by on-site inspection?
Marukawa-san,
you are suspected of being complicit in Ares Electronics's
abuse of a superior bargaining position with its business partners.
What?
Please cooperate.
Excuse me.
I'm sorry, everyone.
It's fine. Don't worry.
Just because we can't do an on-site inspection at Ares Electronics...
Reduction in the unit price of parts after February
This is the text of an e-mail we found on your computer.
Marukawa Metal Industry Co.
Representative Director Marukawa Toshiharu
I believe that we should listen to Ares Electronics in this case.
You persuaded the business partners to comply with Ares Electronics' demands.
Does that mean you're complicit in Ares Electronics' bullying?
Shibano coerced you, didn't he?
If you are complicit in bullying, it will affect Marukawa Metal's reputation.
Please tell us the truth.
Are you trying to intimidate me?
How can you allow this kind of thing?
That's not...
We are not threatening you.
You're justifying yourself by saying that.
But the fact is that you are helping Ares Electronics to cheat.
You prey on your business partners.
You make products fraudulently to beat your competitors.
That is what you are doing.
Am I wrong about you?
Is that how you played baseball too?
All of it...
I believed I was doing it for the best.
Ares Electronics had nothing to do with it.
Marukawa-san...
Shirokuma, please take care of the rest.
Eh?
Please take this.
The finals are next.
You've made it to the next round.
The team that you and Shibano were on.
Judging by the confiscated documents, I'm sure Marukawa Metal is getting bullied for sure.
Maybe Marukawa really thinks that Shibano is part of the team.
If it's not about profit and loss, that's troubling.
Koshobu.
Are you really going to acknowledge Marukawa Metal's involvement?
Koshobu.
I found something good.
Take a look at this.
Marukawa Metal's proposal to Ares Electronics for the price reduction.
What about it?
If it's a proposal from a business partner, it's not a deciding factor, is it?
But there are two copies of it.
Marukawa submitted it again.
This time lowering the price even more.
Why would he do that?
Look here.
Shibano's signature.
"The proposal dated January 27 (first page)
is the final proposal for other suppliers belonging to the union,
and no further price reductions will be made."
What does that mean?
On the condition that there are no further price reductions to other suppliers,
Marukawa Metal accepted the job at a reduced price.
Speaking of which... this.
Right around that time, another business partner mentioned that
Marukawa consulted with them, saying they did not need to lower their prices any further.
Could Marukawa, the union president, please inform Ares Electronics of this fact?
that any further reduction in price will affect our operation.
It would be difficult to lower the price any further.
Marukawa, in trying to protect the business partners,
he sacrificed himself...
He's not a traitor, he's a hero isn't he?
Yeah.
That's what it sounds like.
Don't tell me you carried out the on-site inspection...
in order to find this?
If that was the case, you should've told us first.
Seriously.
Well, I knew that.
But he was really serious, wasn't he?
In order to survive,
we have to combine our strengths to work together.
But this alone doesn't prove he was forced.
We still need Marukawa to testify.
Marukawa also admitted that he was responsible.
Momozono, how's the case the prosecutors asked you to work on?
I've finished it already.
As expected.
It's alright. Marukawa has friends too.
If we combine our strengths, something can be done, right?
Right?
Daisuke! Go for it! Stay calm!
- Strike! - Nice ball! Nice ball!
Nice!
Congratulations on advancing to the finals!
You're late! What were you doing?
If they defend themselves, my son's team will win.
They'll be the winners!
Oh, no, we didn't come here to cheer...
Huh?
Ah, over there.
The opponent is Marukawa's former school.
Marukawa?
Strike! Batter out.
Nice pitching! Nice pitching!
Wait a minute...
Hello.
Ahh!
What are you trying to do?
I explained the situation to the business partners.
I see.
They were angry.
From their point of view, I'm a traitor.
Marukawa!
What's the meaning of this?
I'm sorry,
for everything.
Why didn't you say a word!?
- Eh? - We heard from this man,
That in order to protect us and the other business partners,
Marukawa Metal was the only one who agreed to the price cut.
Marukawa...
You did it to lighten everyone's burden as much as possible.
You've been complying with Shibano's requests, haven't you?
Marukawa, I'm sorry.
I didn't know anything and called you a traitor.
No, it's not like that...
This man told us,
if we combine our strengths to work together, we can fight against Ares Electronics.
Everyone promised to cooperate.
This time, it's to protect Marukawa Metal.
For that, we need your strength too.
Ahh!
Bases are loaded with two outs. One hit comeback!
I'm sorry.
Everyone really
wants to fight fair and square, right?
You prey on your business partners.
You make products fraudulently to beat your competitors.
That is what you are doing.
What? You're kidding! You're kidding, right?
Ahh!
Left! Left!
Even if you win by cheating,
you wouldn't be able to laugh like that.
Yay! Yay!
You called Shibano your friend, right?
I was thinking, "What are you talking about?
But you really meant it, didn't you?
That's why you didn't tell anyone.
You didn't want them to distrust Shibano, even a little, right?
It's true that you're in different positions at the top and the bottom.
But you are striving for the same goal.
Maybe we can be friends like that.
But if you really believe that,
mistakes must be corrected, right?
If you can't do that.
then you're not really friends.
Marukawa! Marukawa!
You may be right.
Let's work together to stop Ares Electronics' wrongdoings.
Yes.
Marukawa, let's do it together.
Marukawa, let's do it. Let's do our best.
I'm really sorry.
Thank you very much.
We'll all follow Marukawa's lead, right?
Oh! Hey, hey, hey! Oh!
It's nice to have a group of friends, isn't it?
Sports-minded people really like it, don't they?
Such sweaty words.
Well, thanks to you, it went well.
Koshobu,
you're not good at sports, are you?
That's why you always make fun of me like that.
Now, we're going to get busy.
We have to collect testimonials from 30 companies.
That's right. Ah...
Several Days Later
Alright, these 30 companies
have provided evidence of bullying.
No~ that was a lot of work, wasn't it?
We're good to go now, right?
Yeah. Good job, everyone.
With this, we should be able to conduct a thorough on-site inspection of Ares Electronics.
For the sake of the business partners who cooperated with us,
let's definitely expose Shibano's wrongdoings.
- Hmm. - Yeah.
Yes, this is Bureau 6.
Ah, Marukawa.
Eh?
Ares Electronics has terminated their contract with Ichiki Manufacturing Co.
It seems they've noticed our move.
They're making an example of us.
If we don't do something, it may not be just this one company.
Marukawa, this is Shirokuma.
If we can prove the bullying, there should be a chance to re-sign the contract.
We will definitely expose Ares Electronics's wrongdoings.
Yes. Excuse me.
Go to Bureaus 1 to 5,
gather as many inspectors as you can and start making preparations.
Yes.
I will call on the committee.
Yes.
Hello.
Prosecutor Rokkaku, what's going on?
The investigation into Ares Electronics,
I'd like you to stop it at once.