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Japan: Unilateral conduct regulation in Act on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones

Progress

Current status
in force
18 Dec 2025 in force
19 Jun 2024 in grace period
12 Jun 2024 adopted
23 May 2024 under deliberation
26 Apr 2024 under deliberation

Scope

Implementers
Japan
Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Unilateral conduct regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
software provider: app stores
search service provider
infrastructure provider: cloud computing, storage and databases
Government Branch
executive
legislature
Government Body
central government
parliament
Implementation Level
national

Timeline of events

18 Dec 2025
in force

Act on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones including unilateral conduct regulation entered into force

On 18 December 2025, the Act on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones entered into force. The Act prohibits designated business operators, whose services are integral to smartphone usage, from engaging in practices t…

Event type law
Action type implementation
Government branch executive
Government body central government
19 Jun 2024
in grace period

Entry into force with grace period of Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones including unilateral conduct regulation

On 19 June 2024, the Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones was promulgated, with a grace period on the effectiveness of most of its provisions. The effective date of these provisions will be established by gov…

Event type law
Action type in force with grace period
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
12 Jun 2024
adopted

Adopted Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones including unilateral conduct regulation

On 12 June 2024, the Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones was adopted by the House of Councillors. The Bill prohibits designated business operators, whose services are integral to smartphone usage, from enga…

Event type law
Action type adoption
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
23 May 2024
under deliberation

Passed Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones including unilateral conduct regulation

On 23 May 2024, the Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones was passed by the House of Representatives. The Bill would prohibit designated business operators, whose services are integral to smartphone usage, fr…

Event type law
Action type passage
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
26 Apr 2024
under deliberation

Introduced Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones including unilateral conduct regulation

On 26 April 2024, the Bill on Promoting Competition Regarding Specific Software Used in Smartphones was introduced to the House of Representatives. The Bill would prohibit designated business operators, whose services are integral to smartphone usag…

Event type law
Action type introduction
Government branch executive
Government body central government