Cors and Nakao to Present to Japanese Auto Manufacturers at Antitrust Seminar

Taft partners Jeanne M. Cors and Toshio Nakao are the featured presenters at an antitrust seminar co-sponsored by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati.

The program, titled “Antitrust Seminar: Save You and Your Company,” will be conducted in both Japanese and English on Thursday, June 20  from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm at the Taft Center at Fountain Square.

Auto parts investigation is a top priority of the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ), with dozens of suppliers in the U.S. being prosecuted. During the past few years, Japanese auto part manufacturers have been the target of a price-fixing criminal investigation by the USDOJ, with close cooperation between enforcement agencies in Japan and elsewhere. Violations of antitrust laws may cause significant damage to companies and their executives. There are serious penalties for antitrust law violations, with individual prosecutions resulting in lengthy prison sentences.

At the seminar, Japanese executives who frequently meet with outside business partners and competitors will learn ways to minimize violation risks. The Taft attorneys will address the following questions:

• Why are Japanese auto manufacturers at risk?
• Why are bosses and executives in Japan being fined and imprisoned?
• Why is antitrust compliance and training necessary to protect a company?

Cors advises and defends businesses and individuals on antitrust and criminal matters. She has substantial experience assisting companies to help them minimize antitrust risk through the development of compliance policies and training programs. She currently represents a Japanese company and its subsidiary in an ongoing DOJ auto parts investigation.

Nakao has provided legal services to Japanese companies’ U.S. operations throughout the country for 29 years. His experience includes general corporate matters and labor and employment, M&A, immigration and environmental issues. He chairs the Japan practice at Taft.