JAPAN

Anti-Monopoly Case to Be Detailed: Japanese prosecutors this week are expected to unveil more details in their case against eight plastic-wrap makers charged last week with violating Japan’s anti-monopoly law. The crackdown is the latest sign that the Japanese government will be taking action on some of the trade issues raised by U.S. negotiators during trade talks in 1990. The Japanese government has not filed a charge under its anti-monopoly laws in 17 years. The United States has urged such action, contending that Japanese companies collaborate to stifle foreign competition. Tokyo prosecutors’ last week said they were charging eight companies and 15 employees with forming a cartel to boost prices of vinyl food wrap used in supermarkets.