4 Japan utility groups get business improvement orders over power cartel

Tokyo [Japan], July 15: Japan's industry ministry said it has issued business improvement orders to four major Japanese utility groups after they were found to have formed electricity sales cartels.
Kansai Electric Power Co., Chugoku Electric Power Co., a sales unit of Chubu Electric Power Co., Kyushu Electric Power Co. and its sales unit were ordered on Friday not to exchange information on their electricity rates and sales activities and to submit their improvement plans by August 10 to prevent a recurrence of a similar incident.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's monitoring committee on gas and electricity businesses concluded that their actions hinder the liberalization of the electricity retail market and the development of the electricity sector.
At a press conference on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary HirokazuMatsuno said the scandal is very regrettable as it contradicts the purpose of the power system reform.
Source: Xinhua