Japan has become the fifth territory to approve Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, following Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Chile, and Serbia. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission announced its conclusion of the matter today, saying it had “determined that the conduct of this case would not substantially restrain competition in certain fields of trade.”
The announcement also stated,
We received submissions from the Parties Group of Plans for Share Acquisition and Merger in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Monopoly Act, and as a result of examination, Since it was recognized that it would not substantially restrain competition in a certain field of trade, the company group was notified to the effect that a cease and desist order would not be issued, and the examination was completed.
With this, it seems that the merger might finally be picking up steam following last week’s CMA announcement in which the U.K. regulator provisionally concluded that the deal “will not harm competition,” though it has not yet concluded its investigation and has until April 26th to issue a final report.
Meanwhile, the FTC in the U.S. has filed an antitrust lawsuit to block the merger, with an evidentiary hearing set for August 2nd, 2023.
Via @tomwarren/Twitter.
Featured image via jiji.com.
