William Gallagher
Japan is preparing regulations that will force Apple and Google to allow alternative App Stores, and impose fines on both for antitrust issues regarding OS market share and preferential search results.
The planned laws follow Japan's previous moves to require Apple to allow third-party app stores — and Apple's attempts to argue against the plan.
According to Nikkei Asia, if proposed regulations are passed by the country's parliament in 2024, the Japanese Fair Trade Commission (FTC) will be allowed to fine firms up to 6% of revenue earned from activities contravening the laws.
No further details regarding App Stores have been decided yet. There is little further information about the rest of the FTC's focusing on browsers, search, and also operating systems.
However, the intention behind focusing on search is to prevent firms such as Apple or Google giving preferential treatment to their own services or products.
While not confirmed, it's likely that the new regulations will also cover the Japanese government's concerns about gathering taxes from developers. In November 2023, it was reported that since it has been difficult to tax app developers based outside Japan, the government was considering taxing Apple and Google directly.
Assuming parliament passes the laws, it will then be the Japanese government that determines which firms any or all of its legislation will apply to. Nikkei Asia says it's the laws are expected to be applied to multinational firms, and not to Japanese ones.
Apple has not commented on this latest move by Japan.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
48 Comments
The EU disease is infecting the planet.
Absolute insanity. These governments won’t rest until they sabotage the security, reliability, and privacy that have been at the heart of Apple’s products since Steve Jobs stood on that stage introducing the first Mac.
As Apple have “strapped on a pair” regarding toughing it out with Apple Watch, perhaps they’ll do the same here? I double-dare them! 😂
The Japanese economy is suffering because of the introduction of EVs, none of which are regularly coming from Japan. I see Japan's demand for opening Apple's App Store (Google really has multiple stores but none used as much as Apple's) as a way to try and grab money. Maybe the USA needs to remind the Japanese who rebuilt Japan after WWII. I know the USA destroyed Japan but Japan didn't need to attack Hawaii and attempt to attack mainland USA. I'm also reminding the European countries who received, and continue to receive, lots of money from the USA. Maybe it's time to stop biting the hand that feeds you.