Background: Apple's New Rules in Japan
In December, Apple announced revisions to its app distribution, payment options, and business terms for the Japanese market to comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). The updates allow developers to link users to off‑app promotions and offer alternative in‑app payment methods.
New fee structures accompany these changes, including commissions of up to 15% on web‑based transactions and extra charges for apps distributed outside the App Store.
Industry Groups Demand Commission Waiver
Seven IT‑related industry groups—representing more than 600 companies, including major IT firms, game developers, and software creators—have publicly called on Apple (and Google) to waive the off‑App Store commissions.
- They argue the new commissions provide “no economic incentive” to adopt the permitted payment methods.
- The groups seek a market where a “diverse range of payment methods can genuinely become options.”
- A joint statement follows a written critique issued on Jan. 29 by the Mobile Content Forum, one of the seven groups.
Potential Regulatory Actions
The statements aim to pressure the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) to re‑examine Apple’s compliance with the MSCA. If the JFTC decides to act, it could lead to additional enforcement measures, though the outcome remains uncertain.
What This Means for Developers
Developers in Japan now face a choice:
- Adopt the new off‑App Store payment links and accept up to a 15% commission on web transactions.
- Distribute apps outside the App Store, incurring extra fees.
- Potentially lobby for regulatory relief alongside industry peers.
The situation underscores the tension between regulatory compliance, market openness, and the economic realities of app monetisation in Japan.