EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation: Analysis and Responses from a Public Affairs Perspective

Kazumochi Kometani previously served at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for more than 15 years in high-ranking positions including as General Counsel for International Legal Affairs and as Director of the International Legal Affairs Office.  In these positions, he took a leading role in dispute settlement cases under the WTO Agreement and other international economic laws in more than a dozen cases involving antidumping measures, safeguard measures, export restraints, import restrictions and, local content requirements.  He also advised the Ministry on the consistency with the WTO Agreement and other international economic laws, including various EPA/FTAs and investment treaties, of a variety of governmental measures of foreign countries and Japan.

With regard to competition laws, he advises clients on various matters of competition law for both domestic and international cases. He has represented clients with many important international cartel cases, including auto-parts, TFT-LCD, air cargo and high voltage power cables. He also handled significant merger cases in various industries, such as nuclear, security exchanges, local banks, steel and metals, food and agriculture, airlines, paper and natural resources. His practice also covers private monopolization, unilateral conduct and unfair trade practices, including vertical restraints and abuse of superior bargaining position, including platform business and internet industries. He also has been very active in the field of international trade matters. He is one of few lawyers in Japan who acted on behalf of various industries with regard to anti-dumping (AD) and counter-vailing duties (CVD) in Japan and overseas. While he served as deputy director of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, he handled several important WTO disputes on behalf of Japanese government. He continues to advice both public and private sectors with regard to various sorts of trade law matters associated with WTO, investment treaties and Regional Trade Agreements. His trade expertise also covers export controls, investment screenings, economic sanctions and customs matters.