According to the Nikkei newspaper, citing a reliable source, Japan’s authorities will investigate whether Apple and Google violate the country’s antitrust laws.
The government has estimated that the share of operating systems Apple iOS and Google Android exceeds 90% in the Japanese market. In this light, Japan’s officials will thoroughly assess the current situation in the market of smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
If any suspicious activity on the part of Apple and Google is uncovered, Japan will tighten its antitrust regulations. The tech giants came into the spotlight in Japan after Spotify and other audiobooks and ebooks distributors had noted that Apple obliged them to use its own payment system in the App Store and the iTunes Store. The leading corporations also imposed other restrictions.
