Apple Newsroom: changes to iOS in Japan under MSCA (17 Dec 2025)
Apple’s 17 December 2025 Newsroom release restates Japan alternative marketplace and payment options under the MSCA and publishes the same commission schedule UA teams use for App Store versus link-out versus Core Technology Commission maths.
Apple’s Newsroom press release Apple announces changes to iOS in Japan, dated 17 December 2025, announces MSCA-driven options for Japan: distribution via Apple-authorised alternative app marketplaces; alternative payment processing and/or website link-out for digital goods in App Store iOS apps; notarization for apps outside App Review; and updated Japan business terms.
Commission schedule on the Newsroom page
- App Store commission: reduced to 10% for the vast majority of developers (Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and subscriptions after year one) or 21% otherwise on digital goods and services.
- Apple payment processing fee: additional 5% when using Apple In-App Purchase.
- Store services commission: 15% on digital goods/services transactions completed on a website linked from the app (10% for the programmes / year-two subscriptions above).
- Core Technology Commission: 5% on digital goods/services (including paid apps) for iOS apps distributed outside the App Store.
Alternative payments on the App Store are to be shown alongside Apple In-App Purchase. Kids-category apps will not include website transaction links; under-18 users need a parental gate for alternative payments or website links; under-13 users cannot be linked to websites for transactions from App Store apps.
Limits
| Field | Evidence or limit |
|---|---|
| Document date | 2025-12-17 |
| Same-day developer detail | Cross-check [Developer News](https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=074b3wzz) and the support page for 7-day link-out attribution and License Agreement deadline |
| Competitive CPI vs prior Japan schedule | Apple states developers “will pay Apple the same or less than they do today”; no third-party CPI series on this page |
| UA implication | Use this release as the public fee card for Japan App Store vs web vs alt-store scenarios; do not invent a single blended commission |
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