Japanese Tech Groups Challenge Apple's New App Store Payment Rules as Economically Unviable

A coalition representing more than 600 Japanese technology companies has publicly challenged Apple's recently implemented App Store payment rules, declaring the commission structure for alternative payment methods economically unviable. The criticism follows Apple's December 2025 adjustments to comply with Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), which introduced fundamental changes to app distribution and payment processing.

Under the new framework, developers gained the ability to direct users to external websites for purchases and implement third-party in-app payment systems—significant shifts from Apple's historically closed ecosystem. However, Apple attached a new fee structure to these options: a 15% commission on web-based transactions processed outside Apple's system, plus additional charges for apps distributed through alternative marketplaces. These fees apply regardless of whether developers use Apple's payment processing infrastructure.

Apple positioned these changes as a balanced approach to Japan's MSCA, contrasting it favorably with Europe's Digital Markets Act by claiming it better preserves security while allowing competition. Yet seven major Japanese tech industry groups—including the Mobile Content Forum representing game developers and software creators—argue the commission structure eliminates any financial incentive to use alternative options. Their joint statement emphasizes that the fees essentially transfer Apple's traditional App Store revenue model to external transactions, making the new payment pathways impractical for most developers.

The coalition's criticism centers on three core issues:

1. Fee Neutralization: The 15% web transaction commission matches Apple's reduced rate for small developers, negating potential savings from using cheaper payment processors
2. Implementation Costs: Expenses for developing and maintaining external payment systems further erode financial benefits
3. Market Constraint: The structure fails to create meaningful competition as required by the MSCA, instead preserving Apple's economic dominance

This challenge arrives amid growing global scrutiny of app store commissions. Unlike the EU's DMA which mandates completely fee-free external payments, Japan's MSCA didn't specify commission limits—a gap Apple leveraged. The tech groups are now pressuring Japan's Fair Trade Commission to reassess whether Apple's compliance truly meets the law's intent to foster payment diversity.

The outcome could impact Japan's position in Apple's global strategy. As Apple's third-largest market, Japan represents a critical revenue stream where local developers have historically generated substantial App Store income. Should regulators intervene, it might force Apple to restructure fees beyond the current Core Technology Fee model applied in Europe—potentially setting new precedents for how app ecosystems balance platform maintenance costs against developer flexibility.