Regarding the domestic market for smartphone apps, the Japan Fair Trade Commission said that the US IT giants, Google and Apple, are in an oligopolistic state, and that there is not enough competition. We have compiled a report stating that a system based on the law should be developed.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has been investigating smartphone app stores and basic software since two years ago to understand the actual state of competition among business operators.
The report was published on the 9th, saying that the domestic market for smartphone app stores and basic software is an oligopoly, with more than 90% of the use from services provided by Google and Apple.
On top of that, terminal users rarely switch to app stores or operating systems other than Google and Apple, and external developers also provide similar apps to both companies, so there is plenty of competition between Google and Apple. points out that it is not done.
For this reason, the report recommends that Google and Apple
▽ allow users to select other companies' app stores, and
▽ make voluntary improvements so that the apps provided by their companies are not treated favorably. I am urging you.
On top of that, the government should develop a system based on the law to ensure a competitive environment, and the Fair Trade Commission will proceed with coordination with related ministries and agencies in the future.