Japan's Ice Cream Cartel: Major Brands Under Investigation

Wed Jun 17 2026 11:15:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Japanese antitrust probe targets Meiji, Glico and others for alleged price‑fixing amid record‑high summer temperatures.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission raided leading ice‑cream makers Meiji, Morinaga, Glico, Lotte and Akagi Nyugyo over accusations that they colluded to raise prices. Reports say the firms increased prices by 5‑10% yearly, even as costs for raw materials remained stable, amid a blistering summer. Company statements confirm full cooperation with the investigation. The probe highlights Japan’s push to curb anti‑competitive behaviours in consumer goods during extreme heat.

On Tuesday, Japan’s competition watchdog raided five of the country’s most prominent ice‑cream companies, accusing them of forming a cartel that artificially raised the price of frozen desserts.

The firms, which include Meiji, Morinaga Milk Industry, Lotte, Ezaki Glico and Akagi Nyugyo, were subject to an on‑site inspection by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC). According to the JFTC, the companies are suspected of inflating ice‑cream prices over five to ten percent each year, beyond the rise in raw‑material costs, at a time when Japan is experiencing record‑high temperatures.

The JFTC has not released any official statement about the investigation. The companies themselves have publicly pledged cooperation. Meiji said: "The Fair Trade Commission has inspected us on suspicion of violating the Antimonopoly Act. We take this inspection very seriously and will cooperate fully." Ezaki Glico added: "We will respond in good faith to the Fair Trade Commission’s investigation and cooperate entirely." Morinaga Milk Industry and other firms echoed similar commitments.

This scrutiny follows the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s announcement earlier this year that days reaching 40 °C (104 °F) would be labelled "kokushobi"—meaning "severely hot"—to warn the public about the nation’s hottest summer on record in 2025.

Industry experts argue that the alleged price‑fixing would squeeze consumers, especially as the hot weather drives up demand for cool treats. The investigation reflects Japan’s broader efforts to enforce the Antimonopoly Act and protect consumers from collusion in the marketplace.