Japanese Watchdog Orders Google to Stop Antitrust Practices
Last updated: April 30, 2025
On April 15, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) issued a cease and desist order to Google over the company’s violations of Japan’s anti-monopoly laws. The order targets Google’s requirement that Android manufacturers pre-install Google apps on their devices.
The JFTC reached this decision after launching an investigation into the tech giant in October 2023. This is the first time Japan has issued an order of this type against a major US technology company.
“We have concluded that Google LLC’s conduct threatens to impede fair competition,” said Saiko Nakajima, a senior investigator for the commission. “By binding smartphone manufacturers and telecommunication carriers, Google has made it difficult for other competing search engine applications to be used on Android phones.”
As part of the order, Google must stop forcing its search engine, Google Chrome, as the default engine on Android devices, and end any other monopolistic practices in the country. If the company does not comply, it could be subject to a fine.
Since the original investigation, the commission also found that Google unfairly blocked Yahoo! Japan from using its ad tech in the country. In addition, the commission demanded that both Apple and Google open up their app stores to allow competition.
Though it’s not yet clear if Google will take any legal action against this move, the company has expressed discontent with the JFTC’s decision.
“[Google] is disappointed by the JFTC’s findings, as our agreements with Japanese partners are pro-competitive and have undeniably boosted their ability to invest in product innovations which deliver more choice for consumers,” a company spokesperson told tech media site The Register.
Google is facing similar challenges to its antitrust practices across the world. In the United States, it is currently challenging a proposal by the US Department of Justice that would force it to divest operations to break up what regulators claim is an illegal monopoly in the market.
