JR Central faces JFTC allegations over railway overpass inspection bids

Central Japan Railway Company (TSE:9022) and its consolidated subsidiary, JR Central Consultants Company, received a notice of hearing from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) on October 2, 2025. This notice concerns a draft cease and desist order under the Antimonopoly Act. The action follows an on-site inspection on October 22, 2024, regarding suspicions of violating the Antimonopoly Act related to railway overpass inspection work commissioned by local governments. JR Central Consultants also received a notice for a draft surcharge payment order.

The investigation pertains to coordination efforts between Central Japan Railway and five companies, including JR Central Consultants, regarding inspection methods and timing for overpasses on conventional lines. These inspections are legally mandated every five years and carried out during limited nighttime hours on the company's tracks. This coordination occurred prior to road administrators' bidding processes for selecting contractors.

JR Central Consultants intends to record a provision for loss of 140 million yen related to the Antimonopoly Act. Central Japan Railway states the impact on its business performance will be minor. Both companies will carefully examine the hearing notices and consider future responses.