Japan Fair Trade Commission to Warn Kadokawa Over Freelance Act Violations
This marks the second time in under two years that Kadokawa has faced regulatory action over freelancer payment practices, suggesting a systemic issue at one of Japan's largest media companies.
Reporting from 1 sources: Anime News Network.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission intends to issue a recommendation to Kadokawa for suspected violations of the Freelance Act, including failing to specify payment timelines in contracts for about 100 freelance writers, stylists, and illustrators, and late payments. Kadokawa acknowledged the investigation and said it is responding seriously.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday that the Japan Fair Trade Commission plans to issue a recommendation to Kadokawa over alleged violations of the Freelance Act. The company is accused of not providing payment time windows in contracts for about 100 freelance writers, stylists, and illustrators for some of its magazines, placing orders only verbally since the law took effect in November 2024. Kadokawa has also been late on certain payments. The Freelance Act requires that if a contract does not specify a payment date, payment must be made on the day the work is delivered. Kadokawa acknowledged the investigation and said it is cooperating.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network News Japanese Agency to Warn Kadokawa on Alleged Violations of Freelance Act