Comparative study of Japan-Korea antitrust law -Application and limitations of abuse of superior bargaining position in franchise contracts

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K01331
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 05040:Social law-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: HONG Soongang 金沢大学, 法学系, 教授 (10554462)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: コンビニエンスストア / 時短営業 / 24時間営業 / 値引き販売 / フランチャイズ / ドミナント / 不当な取引制限 / 優越的地位の濫用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

As of the spring of 2023, the percentage of convenience stores with reduced business hours is about 20% in Korea and about 10% in Japan. In South Korea, headquarters often take the lead in discount sales of fresh food, but in Japan, merchants are largely independent and the percentage is still small. About the problem that the distance between convenience stores is too close, in Korea, distance restrictions of 100 meters in major cities such as Seoul and 50 meters in other regions, even if they are convenience stores of different brands, have been implemented in the form of approval of the convenience store association's request by the Korea Fair Trade Commission. However, in Japan, there is a high possibility that it will be an unreasonable restraint of trade. In Korea, abuse of a superior bargaining position is prevented not only by special laws on franchises, but also by incorporating requests from franchisees in advance by associations.

Free Research Field

経済法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本のコンビニエンスストア業界においてコンビニエンスストアの時短営業、値引き販売、ドミナントの問題は喫緊の課題となっており、また独禁法上の優越的地位の濫用とも深い関係がある。韓国においても独禁法に優越的地位の濫用規定があり、またコンビニエンスストアが多いため、相互比較は日本での上記の問題解決に多くの示唆を与える。韓国においてもこれまで上記の問題について様々なトラブルがあったが、加盟店側からの声を本部側が比較的取り入れるシステムが定着し、優越的地位の濫用事例は減少傾向にある。しかし、韓国で一般的な加盟店間距離制限は日本で不当な取引制限に該当する可能性があり、この点は今後さらなる研究が必要である。