(Corrects first paragraph to reflect that the changes apply only to iPhones, not other Apple devices)By Stephen NellisSAN FRANCISCO, Dec 17 : Apple on Wednesday said it has opened iPhones to alternative app stores in Japan to comply with new laws aimed at stoking competition in that country's smartpho

Under Apple’s new rules, Japanese developers can launch their own app marketplaces on iPhones

Apple has announced a sweeping set of changes to iOS in Japan that will allow alternative app marketplaces, third-party payment processing, and non-WebKit browser engines -- all to comply with Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act, which takes effect December 18. The changes, now available in iOS ...

Just a day after Apple announced alternative app marketplace support for iOS users in Japan, AltStore PAL has launched in the country. iPhone users in Japan can download the alternative app marketplace from the AltStore website, and then use the AltStore to download apps without having to go through Apple's App Store. Prospective AltStore users need to be physically located in Japan, and have a Japanese App Store account. Devices also need to be running iOS 26.2 or later.

Apple today introduced several changes to the App Store in Japan to meet the requirements of the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) that goes into effect on December 18. The MSCA is similar to Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) so the Japanese App Store will work a lot like the EU App Store, but there are some differences.