Japanese tech groups criticize new App Store payment rules – 9to5Mac

Following a recent change to several App Store rules in Japan, a coalition representing more than 600 local companies is calling for more regulatory action. Here are the details.

‘Not a viable option’

Last December, Apple announced a series of changes to app distribution rules, payment options and business terms in Japan in an effort to comply with the country’s Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA).

Many of these changes should be familiar to 9to5Mac readers, as they closely mirror what Apple is doing around the world in response to new competition laws and regulatory scrutiny.

In Japan, this meant allowing developers to connect users to out-of-app promotions and offer alternative in-app payment methods, but with new fee structures, including commissions of up to 15% on web transactions and additional fees for apps distributed outside the App Store.

At the time, Apple praised Japan’s MSCA, saying it did a better job of balancing openness and security than Europe’s Digital Markets Act.

However, not everyone sees it that way. According to Japanese newsseven IT-related industry groups, which “together include more than 600 companies and organizations such as large IT firms, gaming companies and software developers”, are demanding that Apple (and Google) abandon commissions outside the App Store because the new guidelines “have not become a viable option”.

From the report:

The seven groups criticized the new commissions, saying there was “no economic incentive” to use the newly allowed payment methods. They urged the creation of a market where “a variety of payment methods can truly become options”.

Japanese news notes that today’s joint statement comes just days after the Mobile Content Forum, which is among seven industry groups, “issued a written statement on January 29 criticizing Apple and Google’s approach.”

The report also notes that today’s statements are the latest attempt to get Japan’s Fair Trade Commission to re-examine the issue, which could lead to further enforcement. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen.

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