Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is preparing to issue a formal order requiring US tech giant Google to halt practices deemed in violation of the country's antitrust laws, according to sources close to the matter.
The JFTC alleges that Google has leveraged its dominance in the online search market to unfairly pressure smartphone manufacturers.
Central to the investigation is the claim that Google mandates pre-installation of its apps, including Google Search and Chrome, as a condition for granting access to its Google Play Store.
Additionally, the company is accused of dictating the placement of app icons on device screens and striking revenue-sharing agreements with manufacturers in exchange for excluding rival apps.
The competition watchdog has already notified Google of potential disciplinary measures and is awaiting the company's response before finalizing its decision, sources confirmed.
If enforced, the order could signal a significant regulatory move against anti-competitive practices in Japan's tech industry, reflecting growing global scrutiny of major digital platforms.
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