Japan: Opened consultation on JFTC implementation of Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act

On 31 July 2024, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) opened a public consultation to gather information on the implementation of the Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act until 8 September 2024. The consultation seeks to understand the current business transactions between software and application providers, future service plans influenced by the Act, and opinions on the JFTC’s approach to enforcing the Act. The consultation seeks information on the distribution methods of software and applications, challenges faced with current regulations, and anticipated impacts of the Act on business operations. It also addresses concerns about unfair practices by large mobile operating service providers and application stores, including issues related to payment systems and outlinks. The consultation also aims to gather information on the competitive landscape, plans for new services and feedback on the JFTC’s role in enforcing the Act.