Over 600 Japanese Companies Rally Against Apple and Google App Commissions
In a significant move, more than 600 Japanese companies are reportedly calling on tech giants Apple and Google to completely eliminate commissions on app purchases. This demand comes ahead of Japan's Mobile Software Competition Law, which is scheduled to take effect in December, aiming to foster fairer digital market practices.
Heavy Burden of Fees Makes External Payments Unviable
According to a report by The Japan Times, seven IT-related industry groups, including the prominent Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, have issued a joint statement. They argue that the burden of commissions is so substantial that directing users to external payment sites has not become a viable option. Previously, in-app sales were subject to commissions as high as 30%, but in response to the new law, Apple and Google have allowed out-of-app billing while still imposing fees of 15% to 20% on revenue from external sites.
The Japanese groups are seeking treatment similar to what Epic Games secured in the United States, where an injunction forced Apple to permit external payments without collecting any commission. Developers in Japan have expressed that Apple's current alternative payment setup offers no economic incentive to use these newly permitted methods. With fees ranging from 5% to 21%, combined with credit card processing charges, the costs can be as high as Apple's built-in system. They are urging the creation of a market where a diverse range of payment methods can genuinely become options.
Accusations of Disadvantage Compared to U.S. Market
The Japanese groups have also pointed out that similar payment methods are offered free of charge in the United States, accusing Apple and Google of placing Japan's consumers and businesses at a disadvantage. In January, one of the seven groups, the Mobile Content Forum, had already issued a written statement criticizing the approach of these tech companies. Collectively, these groups represent a broad coalition of major IT firms, game companies, and software developers, highlighting widespread industry concern.
With this joint statement, calls for improvement are spreading across the broader IT industry in Japan. Attention is now turning to how the Japan Fair Trade Commission, responsible for enforcing the new law, will respond to these demands.
Global Context: Similar Demands in the European Union
Beyond Japan, developers in the European Union have made similar demands to Apple. In December 2025, a coalition of developers petitioned the European Commission, arguing that Apple's revised App Store fees continue to disadvantage EU apps. A group of 20 European app makers and consumer bodies filed a petition to lower Apple's commissions, claiming that the fees put their apps at a competitive disadvantage compared to those in the United States.
This global push underscores growing international pressure on major tech platforms to reform their fee structures and promote fair competition in digital markets.
