Apple(US:AAPL) Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-12-18 05:40Group 1 - Japan becomes the first country in Asia to break Apple's App Store in-app purchase (IAP) and app distribution rules [1] - On December 18, Apple adjusted its iOS applications in Japan to comply with the "Specific Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Law," allowing developers to distribute iOS apps through third-party app stores and integrate third-party payment tools like PayPay and LINE [2] - The new regulations enable developers to complete transactions for digital goods and services outside the App Store, with Apple's commission rates ranging from 10% to 21%, significantly lower than the current standards in the Chinese market [2] Group 2 - The adjustments in Japan are part of a global trend, with various countries pushing for changes in Apple's channel rules through legislation or judicial rulings [6] - In April, a U.S. court ruled that developers could add external transaction links without paying Apple any commission, while Russia mandated Apple to open sideloading features and prohibited its pricing and payment restrictions [6] - The UK court determined that Apple's 30% "Apple tax" was an unfair high price, establishing a reasonable fee range of 10% to 17.5% [6] Group 3 - The Japanese government has been pressuring Apple to open external payment links and third-party app stores, with the law passed in April 2022 aimed at creating a competitive mobile ecosystem [7] - The law allows the Japan Fair Trade Commission to impose compliance obligations on software providers with monopoly status, promoting innovation and consumer choice [7] - In contrast, Apple's commission rates in China remain at 30% for standard enterprises, with only a 15% discount for small businesses, raising concerns among industry leaders about the burden of high commissions [8]