Japan's NSK fined by China in anti-monopoly case

BEIJING - A Japanese auto parts supplier, NSK, says it has been fined by Chinese anti-monopoly regulators in a growing investigation of the industry.

NSK Ltd., which makes ball bearings and other components, said Tuesday it was fined 174.9 million yuan ($28.2 million). It gave no details of the offenses but said it was cooperating with authorities.

Chinese regulators have launched a series of anti-monopoly investigations against global automakers and technology suppliers.

Regulators said Monday that Mercedes-Benz violated the anti-monopoly law and charged inflated prices for replacement components. Officials have said Audi and Chrysler also violated the law.

An official said earlier that 11 Japanese companies in the auto industry violated the law but none had been publicly identified.