Epic Games Store Now Available on iPhone in Japan

Following the implementation of Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act in December 2025, the Epic Games Store has been launched on iPhone in Japan. This move is reminiscent of the European Union's Digital Markets Act, which also mandates support for alternative app stores and payment methods. The Japanese version of the Epic Games Store will initially feature Epic's own titles, including Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe. According to Epic, this limited launch is due to Apple's imposition of a 5% Core Technology Commission fee on apps from third-party stores, as well as requirements for developers to track and report transactions. Epic argues that these measures create unnecessary confusion and costs, deterring developers from launching their apps on competing stores. Furthermore, Epic criticizes Apple's nine-step installation process for its App Store in Japan, which the company believes creates additional barriers to competition. Epic is working with Japanese regulators to address these anticompetitive practices and ensure that developers and consumers can benefit from the new law. The company is urging the Japan Fair Trade Commission to enforce the law strictly and prevent Apple from imposing unfair fees and friction that harm consumers and competition. This development follows the launch of the Epic Games Store on iOS for EU users in May 2025, after the introduction of the Digital Markets Act, and its relaunch in the US, where a district court ruled that Apple could not collect fees on app purchases made outside its App Store. The dispute between Epic and Apple began in 2020, when Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store for allegedly bypassing platform fees.