Saturday May 26, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Panasonic fined in European price fixing case

Crime Dec. 09, 2011 - 06:46AM JST ( 20 )

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20 Comments

2

NuckinFutzDec. 09, 2011 - 08:00AM JST

“It is the policy of Panasonic to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including anti-trust regulations,”

Really?

“The impact of the news appears minimal, and the amount of the fine is not too significant,”

Maybe handcuffs would get their attention? This is another fine case of Japanese business ethics (or a complete lack thereof) at work.
3

NetNinjaDec. 09, 2011 - 08:08AM JST

oh HAPPY DAY!!!!

Corruption must be punished.
4

smithinjapanDec. 09, 2011 - 09:11AM JST

NuckinFutz: "This is another fine case of Japanese business ethics (or a complete lack thereof) at work."

Agree with you, but in this case it's pretty clear it was not solely Panasonic engaged in price-fixing in Europe. No surprise they are, but at least this time it's not a Japanese company alone.
1

issa1Dec. 09, 2011 - 09:12AM JST

Japanese companies are subject to bullying in Europe and the United States, while the Korean companies use the practice of dumping in Japan, they steal our technology and it Japanese government do not take any action of retaliation , I think we must apply the law of reciprocity.
2

bogvaDec. 09, 2011 - 10:05AM JST

issa1, I would agree on your statement except in the part that Japanese technology is stollen. Yes, there might be cases but it is mostly taking product and making it cheaper and some times better. In other words same thing Japan did to US back in the ears of the light bulb, transistor radio, etc. Not to mention Japanese copying all European technology, food, etc., etc.

And yes - Panasonic is in wrong but they were not alone and no need to generalize about Japan.
3

Jared NormanDec. 09, 2011 - 10:08AM JST

just like olympus, this must be a great situation
1

ElvensilvanDec. 09, 2011 - 10:16AM JST

Just several weeks (or maybe months?) ago, another Japanese group were caught in a price-fixing cartel mess in the US regarding seatbelts. Now, another company for refrigirator parts.

Another big news was Olympus in a loss-cover-up scheme.

It's fast becoming an ulgy picture. Big international companies involved in cover-ups, cartels ... Makes one wonder why the Olympus investigators can't find a trace of the crimes to the Japanese mafia.
0

issa1Dec. 09, 2011 - 11:14AM JST

It has become cliche, governments with cash who are out to hunt down the witches of Japanese companies, to impose fines millionaire. I feel my stomach queasy !
-1

Elbuda MexicanoDec. 09, 2011 - 12:05PM JST

Bad! Bad Panasonic!!
-1

Elbuda MexicanoDec. 09, 2011 - 12:40PM JST

Ok Issa! So where is your proof?? Evidence??
1

Motaz AbumathkourDec. 09, 2011 - 01:55PM JST

So , everyone is criticizing Panasonic for price fixing , however , when apple was caught in the e-book price fixing , no one said a thing , so unbiased of you guys
0

ElvensilvanDec. 09, 2011 - 02:38PM JST

@Motaz Abumathkour

Yes, I would admit that I didn't say anything about Apple. But in the case of Panasonic, as I wrote earlier, there have been several corrupt Japanese companies that have lately been brought to light.

Also, Apple is an American company. Why should we, the ones who are living in Japan care more about American companies more than the local ones?
-1

smithinjapanDec. 09, 2011 - 03:37PM JST

issa1: "they steal our technology and it Japanese government do not take any action of retaliation , I think we must apply the law of reciprocity."

what does this have to do with price-fixing by Panasonic and other companies?

Regardless, it is well known that while South Korea and China may engage in stealing some Japanese tech (or moronic businessmen here leaving top secret briefcases in their car's back seat to be stolen, or worse yet selling it to girls who seduce them in Peru -- or wherever Senora Geisha is from), it is known that Japan steals tech and/or ideas from South Korea as well. So don't talk about 'reciprocity', especially on a topic which has nothing to do with that subject.
-1

smithinjapanDec. 09, 2011 - 03:38PM JST

Elvensilvan: "Why should we, the ones who are living in Japan care more about American companies more than the local ones?"

Why should you care more about a company because of its nation of origin? I say care about the quality of the products, and/or the business ethics of the company. I'm not going to by a product I know/think is inferior just because it comes from a nation I live in or feel more affinity for, I'll buy what I think is best.
0

ElvensilvanDec. 09, 2011 - 04:34PM JST

@smithinjapan

What you're saying is ideally, true.

But for me, I put in a greater importance as to where I currently am. Japanese companies facing problems would in turn, affect the employment ratio (maybe even my own job), and possibly other aspects of my current society.

Apple, on the otehr hand, has little or no direct effect on me, so I didn't post anything on that article.
0

globalwatcherDec. 10, 2011 - 01:58AM JST

Japan, you never learn don't you. Price fixing is a serious issue. Get it in your cell, head and soul.

For the first time, the world forgave you entirely

For the second time, we said Japan was not well informed, so easy on them,

For the third time, we say Japan has no excuse and no remorse. Let us see the justice.
-1

BurakuminDesDec. 10, 2011 - 10:35AM JST

Panasonic - along with those other mobs I've never heard of - does not give a hoot about their customers - just gouge them for all they have got. Just a terrible company. Let's all just not buy any of their products ever again and hope they fall!
0

Motaz AbumathkourDec. 10, 2011 - 01:26PM JST

@Elvensilvan

I'm not talking about that , I'm talking about the fact that everyone thinks and moves according to the fact that Apple , regardless of how corrupt they may be , is an angel company , and any other company -be it SAMSUNG , Moto , SONY , Panasonic - is always the bad one.
0

Brian SuttonDec. 12, 2011 - 05:35PM JST

@Motaz Abumathkour

"Yes, I would admit that I didn't say anything about Apple. But in the case of Panasonic, as I wrote earlier, there have been several corrupt Japanese companies that have lately been brought to light.

Also, Apple is an American company. Why should we, the ones who are living in Japan care more about American companies more than the local ones?"

I second that... I'm an American living here in Japan, although some American companys do get caught in price fixing... I really am not to concerned about them as much as I am for Japanese companies... this is the country I live in and why wouldn't I be more "in tuned" on the going on's in Japan. Things like this may, in the future" affect my quality of life in Japan.
0

calm downDec. 13, 2011 - 07:59AM JST

and the US company stabs them in the back to weasel out of being fined..classic