Japanese Government Raids Intel Tokyo Offices

mordicus writes "Reuters is reporting that Japanese Trade Officials have raided Intel's Japan Offices. From the article: 'Japan's fair trade watchdog raided the offices of Intel Corp's Japanese unit on Thursday and a government source in Tokyo said the chip giant is suspected of violating antitrust laws.' Japan seems to be rather vigilant in enforcing its antitrust legislation. Microsoft's Japanese unit was target of a similar operation less than two months ago."

Comments

Japan vigilant?

[James Lewis]

"Japan seems to be rather vigilant in enforcing its antitrust legislation."

Well, at least they have been against American companies.

Re:Japan vigilant?

[Cassius105]

This is the same for any country really

thats why MS got off lightly in the american anti trust case

Raid

[Rkane]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think they might have chosen a more descriptive word for what happened? When I think of a raid, I think of things like a drug bust where they bang down the door and come in with guns drawn. I may be wrong, but I have a feeling this "raid" was more like some guys in suits showing up and demanding to speak with certain people and look at certain files, etc. Then again, Intel does hire some sneaky folk, and you never know if they have a stockpile of BFG-9000's in the back room waiting for the FTC to come.
Needless to say, calling it a "raid" gives the wrong impression (to me).

Re:Raid

[Knight Thrasher]

Raids typically DO include officers, in and out of uniform, in suits, etc, and they bring enough people to wisk away the employees from data without any potentially incriminating evidence being destroyed. Yeah, it's a raid. Nobody ever said if you're suspected of violating anti-trust laws you have lots of rights. =)

“third world countries”

[Saeed al-Sahaf]

For the most part, American companies have learned they can walk all over "third world countries" (although there are refreshing South American exceptions). Japan used to be such a country. That they are no longer (and haven't been for many many years) in that class and also very nationalistic, it's not surprising that they aren't interested in Intel and Microsoft's monopolistic conduct, especially since they themselves have quite a high-tech economy.

Unfortunately, many countries are not in the same position to aggravate or turn down Western business, even if in the medium and long run they lose in the deal. For many "third world" countries, short-term existence (and political graft) are the only thing on the radar.

personally

[SteelRat]

I think that it is refreshing to see some trustbusting and pricefixing countermeasures in our cosey little global economy.

you know, more than just obvious corporate welfare, subsidies and pandering. At least the Japanese look after their own a little.

Not just them

[Anonymous Coward]

If a Japanese company had a position in the US markets as dominant as Microsoft or Intel, I imagine you'd see some action from DC.

Re:Kudos to Japan

[txviking]

I wish AMD was the only processor manufacturer in the world, then everyone could only buy processors that are high quality for a low price.

I wonder if the price of AMD would be so good if they would be a monopoly ...

I still like choices. Let AMD and Intel and maybe some more companies compete. This creates innovation and good prices

Re:Wonder why they don't raid Sony *wink wink*

[Ubergrendle]

Sony doesn't have a monopoly in any segment of domestic products that I can think of. I remember seeing an interview with a head Sony designer and he had a very sobering thought: "Any technology we bring to market will be copied by 2 or 3 major competitors within 6 months. What separates us from our competitors is branding, consistency in design, and a reputation for quality."

Re:japan and crime

[foidulus]

The well connected criminals don't get caught, organized crime is HUGE in Japan, and since the gangs are VERY politically connected, police only do token raids on the Yakuza to show the citizens that they are devoted to busting crime. Prostitution is illegal, but there are prostitutes EVERYWHERE! It's run by the Yakuza, so the police do nothing about it. Though the police do seem interested in busting some of the growing number of foreign gangs in Japan(mostly Chinese and Korean).

Re:Yikes!

[ThisIsFred]

Oh, well that makes sense. Otherwise I'd have see the humor in the fact that the Japanese government is protecting industries that beat Intel in the past by flooding the RAM chip industry at a loss, then jacking up the price after the competitors were eliminated.

Anyway, go AMD!