It had previously announced that the iOS system would be adjusted to comply with Japan ‘ s new Mobile Software Competition Act, which required apples to allow equipment to board third-party application shops and open external payment channels. The Apple Statement states that, starting with iOS 26.2 version, Japanese developers will be able “to process payments for digital goods and services through alternative application store distribution, operation of alternative application store, use of channels in the iOS system other than internal purchase of apple application”.
In response, Chief Executive Officer Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, wrote in social media that the previously promised “Fortress Night” plan to return to iOS in Japan within 2025 would not be achieved because apples “implicitly” implemented regulatory requirements. “The apples were supposed to be open to competitive stores today, but they are once again playing tragic obstructions and violations, with great disrespect for the Japanese Government and the people.” The core points of contention listed by Tim Sweeney include:Payment of 21 per cent “spam” for any third-party application; payment of 15 per cent to the end of the web page; mandatory requirement for competitive stores to report receivables through the API and levy 5 per cent on their total account; introduction of “anti-competitive” warning bullet windows to indicate that external payment for privacy and security by users is the responsibility of developers rather than apples.
Sweeney criticized the move as “unjustified intervention by apples in distribution and payment for which they were not involved” and stressed that “United States courts have found similar acts illegal and have appealed to uphold the sentence”. He indicated that a complaint would be filed with the Japan Fair Trade Commission, stating that “when apples abuse their position between users and competitors to impede fair trade, there is no real competition and consumers cannot benefit”. The controversy is the latest chapter in Epic’s long-standing legal dispute with Apple. In 2020, Epic filed a lawsuit against 30 per cent of the in-house purchase of apples and banned extra-ecological payments. In 2021, while the Court ruled that apples must allow developers to add external payment links to their applications, the apples were accompanied by 27 per cent of web links to pay commissions and security warning bullet windows. In May this year, the United States judge found Apple to be in violation of the 2021 injunction and its Vice-President, Alex Roman, “disguisedly perjury under oath”, demanding a halt to 27 per cent of withdrawals and a bullet window warning that Apple might face criminal contempt charges.
