Apple and Google won’t be able to block third-party app stores in Japan

Following in the footsteps of the European Union, Japan has now passed a law that will ban Apple And Google has refused to block third-party app stores for Japanese users on its platform. The law is expected to come into force by the end of 2025 and aims to reduce app prices and create a more equitable market by forcing tech giants to compete with smaller rivals.

was dubbed An Act to promote competition for specified smartphone softwareThe law of Japan bears some resemblance to the law of Japan. EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), imposes strict regulations against “designated providers.” This includes requiring their platforms to allow third-party app stores, allowing app developers to provide third-party billing services, and making it easy for users to change their default settings and web browsers. The law also prevents tech giants from prioritizing their own services in search results, something that Google was targeted Under its own DMA enforcement.

Apple and Google have already been named designated providers, and any additional providers will be selected by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC). Providers who violate the rules could be fined up to 20 percent of the domestic revenue related to the offending service, rising to 30 percent for repeated violations.

At least one company is already celebrating the news, with Epic Games announcing plans to bring its own new game. Fortnite and will also make its game store platform available on iOS in Japan by the end of 2025. The company is currently working on bringing those services to iOS as well Back to iOS in the EU “later this year,” after a hiccup where Apple banned (And then Unrestricted) Link to your developer account.

Japan’s FTC said These changes are being made because they believe smartphone operating systems, app stores, browsers, and search engines are an “oligopoly market” that existing antimonopoly laws would take “too long” to address. We have contacted Apple and Google for comment on this decision, but have not yet received a response.