Designation of Digital Platform Providers Subject to Specific Regulations Under the Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Digital Platforms

1. Background and purpose

In recent years, digital platforms have dramatically improved users’ access to markets and have been playing important roles in society. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about low transparency and fairness, as seen in undisclosed changes to terms and conditions, and in the non-provision of reasons for refusal of trade in some markets. In light of this situation, the Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Digital Platforms (Act No. 38 of 2020; hereinafter referred to as the "TFDPA") was established in May 2020, and enforced on February 1, 2021.
Under the TFDPA, METI designates digital platform providers whose transparency and fairness must be significantly improved in particular among other digital platforms as "specified digital platform providers," and makes such providers subject to specific regulations.

2. Designated digital platform providers subject to specific regulations

Today, METI designated the following digital platform providers as "specified digital platform providers" subject to specific regulations under the TFDPA.
The TFDPA requires the specified digital platform providers to disclose terms and conditions and other information, develop procedures and systems to ensure their fairness in a voluntary manner, and submit a report every fiscal year giving an overview of their business and measures that they have conducted, to which self-assessment results are attached.

(1) Digital platform providers of comprehensive online shopping malls selling goods

Designated Digital Platform Providers	Reference: Comprehensive online shopping malls selling goods provided by the relevant provider
Amazon Japan G.K.	Amazon.co.jp
Rakuten Group, Inc.	Rakuten Ichiba
Yahoo Japan Corporation	Yahoo! Shopping

(2) Digital platform providers of application stores

Designated Digital Platform Providers	Reference: Application stores provided by the relevant provider
Apple Inc. and iTunes K.K.	App Store
Google LLC	Google Play Store

3. Establishment of digital platform consultation desks

As one of the efforts to ensure effective implementation of the TFDPA, METI has established consultation desks for business users of digital platforms (shop owners on online shopping malls, app developers, etc.). The consultation desks offer advice through free consultations with expert consultants on concerns and other issues related to doing business.

Main support provided

• Advice on how to ask questions of and discuss matters with digital platform providers (taking into account past incidents)
• Providing information on lawyers and financial assistance to consultation with lawyers
• Conducting seminars and legal consultation meetings for business users
• Helping promote mutual understanding with digital platform providers
• Identifying issues common to multiple business users seeking advice, and considering how to solve them.

METI will aim to improve the business environment by taking the business-related issues it hears from business users through the consultation desks, identify common themes, and share the information with stakeholders.

Note: Protection of personal information

The Japan Direct Marketing Association and Mobile Content Forum have been commissioned by METI to establish a digital platform consultation desk. The organizations will handle personal information appropriately in accordance with METI's privacy policy, and only use it for the purposes of carrying out the commissioned work.

Links to related information

• Digital platform
• Cabinet Decisions Made on Two Cabinet Orders for the Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Digital Platform s (January 26, 2021)
• Cabinet Decision on the Bill for the Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Digital Platforms (February 18, 2020)
• Headquarters for Digital Market

Division in Charge

Digital Market Policy Office, Information Economy Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau