December 11, 2024
Japan Fair Trade Commission
Relevant Cabinet Order, etc. to be Developed with the Partial Enforcement of the Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software
Today, I would like to explain the Relevant Cabinet Order, etc. to be Developed with the Partial Enforcement of the Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software.
The Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software, commonly known as the Mobile Software Competition Act (the Act), was promulgated on June 19 this year. Six months later, on December 19, the provision related to the designation of providers subject to the Act will come into effect in advance of full implementation, which is scheduled for completion by December next year, including the provisions regarding obligations for the designated providers, etc.
Regarding the relevant Cabinet Order and rules related to the provision on the designation of providers, the JFTC prepared and requested the public comments period form October 28 to November 26. The relevant Cabinet Order was approved by the Cabinet yesterday, December 10 and the JFTC published the final version of the Cabinet Order and the Fair Trade Commission rules together with the result of the public comments.
With respect to the designation of providers subject to the Act, it has been stipulated that providers “of a scale specified by Cabinet Order or larger (Article 3, paragraph (1) of the Act) will be designated. The Cabinet Order sets a criterion of 40 million users for each specified software and the rules specify the form and other details of the related procedures.
Providers who meet the criteria must notify the JFTC by January 20, 2025. After receiving the notification, the JFTC will promptly proceed with the procedures for designation.
Since September of this year, the study group with experts has been convened to discuss the development of Cabinet Orders, rules and guidelines related to the Act. The JFTC will continue its preparations toward full implementation of the Act.
（Tentative translation）
For more information, please refer to the press release of 10 December 2024.
https://www.jftc.go.jp/en/pressreleases/yearly-2024/December/241210.html
