Japan wants to start antitrust investigation into Apple and Google

The Japanese government wants to start an antitrust investigation into Apple and Google, according to business newspaper Nikkei. With the investigation, the government would like to find out how the two companies deal with Japanese smartphone makers and whether these business agreements are fair.

The government would put together a panel for the investigation, writes The Japan Times, among others, based on Nikkei. Officials and external experts should be included in this panel. According to Nikkei, they will start their research into Apple and Google later this month and will hold talks with seniors at Japanese smartphone makers and manufacturers of smart speakers and PCs.

The investigation would focus on business arrangements within Japan and whether these arrangements are fair compared to similar cases in other countries. Should any problems arise as a result of the investigation, the Japanese government would like to tighten antitrust rules, the business newspaper writes.