The Epic Games Store is now available on iPhone in Japan, following the enactment of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) in December 2025.
Similar to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), the MSCA requires support for alternative app stores and payment options.
The Epic Games Store will launch in Japan featuring Epic’s own titles, such as Fortnite and Rocket League Sideswipe.
Epic explained this decision results from Apple imposing a 5% Core Technology Commission fee on apps from third-party stores and requiring developers to track and report transactions.
“This creates confusion and costs that deter developers from launching on competing app stores,” the firm said. “As a result, we are not launching with apps from other developers on the Store.”
Epic also noted that Apple requires a nine-step installation process for its App Store in Japan. It says this creates additional barriers to competition and choice.
When the app store launched in Europe, Apple initially required a 15-step process which was later reduced to six after regulatory pressure. The change led to a 60% decrease in player drop-off during installation.
Epic stated it is “continuing to work with regulators in Japan to end these anticompetitive practices so developers and consumers can benefit from the law.”
“We urge the Japan Fair Trade Commission to rigorously enforce the law and prohibit Apple from imposing illegal fees and friction that harm consumers and competition.”
The Epic Games Store launched on iOS for EU users in May 2025, following the implementation of the DMA.
The store also relaunched in the US after a district court ruled that Apple could not collect fees on app purchases made outside its App Store.
The legal dispute between Epic and Apple began in 2020, after Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store for allegedly bypassing platform fees.
