Japan to order BHP Billiton report on Rio acquisition

TOKYO (MarketWatch) -- Japan's Fair Trade Commission has begun preparations to order BHP Billiton PLC to submit information about its proposed merger with Rio Tinto PLC (RIO.LN), Kyodo News reported Wednesday, without citing sources. The antitrust watchdog made the decision to seek more information from BHP Billiton because it expects the merger to have a large impact on domestic steel makers, and the order will take effect on Nov. 6, the Japanese news agency said. A BHP Billiton spokesman declined to comment on the Kyodo report. Earlier this year, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation asked the FTC to review BHP Billiton's proposed merger and its potential impact on the iron ore and coal market.