Nikkei English News, without saying where it got the information, reported, that Japan's Fair Trade Commission will rule whether the takeover of Rio Tinto Ltd by BHP Billiton Ltd violates antitrust laws.

Nikkei reported that as the two Anglo-Australian firms do not have assets in Japan, so if the commission declares the acquisition illegal, its decision will be difficult to enforce.

Japanese steelmakers import about 60% of their iron ore from BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.