Overview
- Tokyo’s special investigation division brought charges Friday after the Fair Trade Commission filed a criminal complaint earlier in the day.
- The indicted companies are East Japan Usami, Kyoei Sekiyu, ENEOS Wing, Enex Fleet, and Kitasaki, which run networked stations that sell diesel to trucking firms under corporate contracts.
- Prosecutors allege company sales staff met in Tokyo from October to December 2024 to align prices, aiming for a 2 to 2.5 yen per liter increase and curbing discounts to limit competition.
- The indictment cites sales to corporate fleet customers and a market scale topping 45 billion yen over the three months in question.
- Only the corporate entities were charged, and officials said diesel’s role in logistics justified criminal action as reports also describe monthly industry meetings known as the “F-kai” or “Chuo-kai.”