Jan. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Japan wants its trade watchdog to increase enforcement of its antitrust law against foreign companies, Nikkei English News reported, without citing anyone.

The country's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to call on the Fair Trade Commission to broaden use of anti- monopoly law after the European Union fined Japanese companies in its own stepped-up action against price cartels, Nikkei said.

The FTC last month took its first action against foreign companies, moving against foreign on marine-hose businesses, Nikkei said. The hose is used to transfer oil to storage depots.

A research panel will study the international application of anti-competition laws and make recommendations to the trade commission in April, Nikkei said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Moran in New York at nmoran@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 8, 2008 14:36 EST