Apple and Google under antitrust scrutiny in Japan for mobile OS

Fair Trade Commission probes iOS and Android for potential market manipulation

20211006N Apple and Android REUTERS

Apple iOS and Google's Android enjoy a near complete duopoly in Japan's smartphone operating system market. © Reuters

SATSUKI KANEKO and RYOHEI YASOSHIMA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- Japan's Fair Trade Commission will investigate whether Apple and Google are leveraging their dominance in the smartphone operating system market to eliminate competition and severely limit options for consumers.

The study will involve interviews and surveys with OS operators, app developers and smartphone users, commission Secretary-General Shuichi Sugahisa told reporters Wednesday. The initiative will explore market conditions not only for smartphones, but for smartwatches and other wearables.

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