Following in the EU’s footsteps, Japan has now passed a law restricting Apple and Google bans Japanese users from using third-party app stores on its platform. The legislation, expected to take effect by the end of 2025, aims to lower app prices and create a fairer market by forcing tech giants to compete with smaller challengers.
Japan’s law, known as the Act to Promote Competition in Specified Smartphone Software, has some similarities with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), enforcing strict rules on “designated providers.” This includes requiring their platforms to allow third-party app stores, allowing app developers to offer third-party billing services, and making it easier for users to change default settings and web browsers. The law also prohibits the tech giant from prioritizing its own services in search results, something Google’s own DMA enforcement targets.
Apple and Google have been named designated suppliers, and any further additions will be selected by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC). Providers who violate the regulations will face fines of up to 20% of the domestic revenue of the infringing services, and fines of up to 30% for repeated violations.
At least one company is already celebrating the news, with Epic Games announcing plans to fort night Its game store platform will launch on iOS in Japan by the end of 2025. account.
Japan’s Federal Trade Commission said it made the changes because it considers smartphone operating systems, app stores, browsers and search engines to be an “oligopolistic market” and that existing antitrust laws would require “considerable length of time.” Time” can be resolved. We’ve reached out to Apple and Google for comment on the ruling but have yet to receive a response.
