The Japanese government has joined the expanding number of nations seeking to challenge Apple and Google’s monopoly over their respective app stores.
According to The Register, the government recently held its seventh Digital Market Competition Conference, which resulted in a Final Report on the Competitive Evaluation of Mobile Ecosystems.
According to the report, mobile ecosystems have become essential infrastructure, but there is a need for more consumer options and a more level playing field in terms of competition.
The Japanese government recommends that Apple and Google permit third-party payment services access to their app stores, thereby enabling developers to provide consumers with a greater variety of payment options.
Japanese government to break Apple and Google app store monopolies
Moreover, Japan seeks to end the preferential treatment of Apple and Google applications within their respective app stores.
They advocate for an easier method of uninstalling these pre-installed applications. The objective is to equalize the playing field for all developers.
The report also seeks to reduce the app prices paid by Japanese consumers by encouraging third-party app stores to charge lower fees than Apple’s standard 30 percent and Google’s variable rates.
Apple and Google argue that their fees cover the costs of maintaining their app stores and generate reasonable profits. However, regulators believe that there is room to reduce these fees, given the absence of legitimate competition and the companies’ substantial profits.
South Korea took the lead in 2022 by enacting legislation prohibiting app store operators, such as Google and Apple, from requiring developers to utilize their in-app payment systems. South Korea was the first nation in the globe to adopt this action.