Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has introduced a new law to regulate major IT firms like Google and Apple.

The law, called the Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software, was enacted in June 2024.

It targets companies with over 40 million monthly users and limits practices that reduce alternatives in app stores and search engines.

The regulations restrict app store practices, including blocking third-party stores and alternative payment systems.

The law also places limits on Google’s search engine, preventing it from unfairly prioritizing its own services in search results.

Detailed guidelines for the law’s implementation will be released by December 2025.