Japan: Designation of Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo, Apple and Google under the Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Digital Platforms

On 1 April 2021, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) included Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo, Apple and Google in a list of businesses designated as “specified digital platform providers” under the 2020 Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Digital Platforms (TFDPA). Pursuant to the Act, specified digital platform providers are required to disclose certain information, such as terms and conditions as well as transaction conditions. Furthermore, the specified platforms are obliged to develop certain procedures and systems ensuring fairness and transparency. Finally, the digital platform providers are required to submit an annual report to METI on the measures taken regarding transparency and fairness. Amazon, Rakuten and Yahoo were included as specified digital platform providers in their role as platforms for online shopping malls, while Apple and Google were included for their role as platforms for application stores.