Japan's antitrust watchdog is accelerating efforts to implement regulations akin to Europe's app store rules, with plans to mandate Apple to grant access to its biometric technologies, including Face ID and Touch ID, to developers. In May 2025, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) sought public input on proposals that could impact tech giants like Apple and Google. On July 29, the JFTC announced revisions to the relevant provisions of the Act on Promoting Competition in Smartphone Software. This legislation aims to dismantle the monopolistic grip of Apple's App Store and Google's Google Play on app distribution in Japan and foster greater market competition. The updated regulations compel Apple to open up the iOS app installation interface, enabling local app stores to enter the market, and prohibit the platform from enforcing the exclusive use of its payment system, thus allowing developers to integrate localized payment tools. Furthermore, the new regulations encompass various aspects such as data sovereignty, the fairness of search algorithms, and pre-regulatory systems, with full implementation anticipated by December 2025.