Overview

• Japan’s guidelines bar Apple from imposing technical restrictions or excessive charges that would hinder non-WebKit browser engines in the App Store.
• Under Article 7 of the law, third-party browsers must receive OS API access with performance equivalent to that available to Apple’s own WebKit-based Safari.
• The regulations require a default browser choice screen to appear promptly after an iPhone’s first activation.
• These rules mirror the EU Digital Markets Act while adding explicit prohibitions on any barriers that render alternative engines impractical.
• Despite iOS updates enabling non-WebKit engines in the EU and UK proposals, no major Blink or Gecko-based browsers have yet launched on iOS.