TOKYONovember 13 (News On Japan) – Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has issued a recommendation to publishing giant KADOKAWA and its subsidiary, citing violations of the Subcontract Act for “unjust price reductions” involving compensation paid to freelance writers and photographers.
The companies recommended for violation of the Subcontract Act include KADOKAWA and its subsidiary, KADOKAWA LifeDesign.
According to the Fair Trade Commission, in January last year, KADOKAWA unilaterally notified 26 contractors responsible for writing and photography for the lifestyle magazine ‘Lettuce Club’ that their compensation would be reduced for issues published from April 2023 onwards.
The reduction rate was 39.4%, representing a total difference of approximately 5.9 million yen in unpaid compensation. Many contractors, mainly freelancers, have reportedly complied with these demands out of fear of contract termination.
Following the recommendation, KADOKAWA agreed to pay the withheld compensation, stating: โWe apologize for this matter.โ
Source: TBS
