Japan aims to strengthen antitrust laws against Apple and Google

Something to look forward to: Lawmakers around the world have begun to exhibit a more proactive stance toward openness and competition in mobile ecosystems. Apple and Google, the companies controlling the global mobile market with their respective operating systems, will face heightened scrutiny and stricter penalties if they violate regulations.

According to a new report by Nikkei Asia, Japanese authorities are poised to toughen their antitrust regulations, posing a significant challenge to incumbents in the mobile market. The publication revealed that penalties aimed at curbing monopolistic practices will see a substantial increase, with fines more than tripled compared to current antitrust laws.

The new antitrust legislation is being drafted by Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) and is squarely aimed at the mobile ecosystems of Apple and Google. Big Tech corporations will be compelled to allow third-party app stores and alternative payment methods within their closed ecosystems, or face fines ...