Japan Investigates Microsoft Azure Antitrust Violations
Summary
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has opened an investigation into Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd., and Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited for suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act related to Microsoft Azure cloud services. The investigation focuses on allegations that Microsoft restricts enterprises from using its software in combination with competing cloud services, either by prohibiting combined use or by modifying trade terms to increase user costs when used with competitors. The JFTC is seeking information and comments from third parties by April 3, 2026.
“It should be noted that the JFTC has not reached any conclusions at this stage as to whether or not the Antimonopoly Act has been violated.”
Cloud service providers and enterprises that use both Azure and competing cloud platforms should review their current Microsoft licensing arrangements, as the suspected conduct — prohibiting combined use or imposing cost penalties for multi-cloud deployment — is the specific practice under JFTC scrutiny. Any third-party input submitted to the JFTC before April 3, 2026 could inform the direction and scope of the investigation.
About this source
GovPing monitors Japan JFTC News for new consumer protection regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
What changed
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) announced the opening of an investigation into Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd., and Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited for suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act. The investigation targets Microsoft's cloud service Azure, examining whether Microsoft prevents enterprises from combining its licensed software (Windows Server, Windows Client, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft 365, Visual Studio) with competing cloud services, either through outright prohibition or through modified trade terms that increase costs for multi-cloud users. The JFTC has not reached any conclusions at this stage.
Cloud service providers and enterprises operating in Japan's cloud market should monitor this investigation closely, as an adverse finding could affect how Microsoft licenses its software in conjunction with competing platforms. Third parties with relevant information may submit comments to the JFTC by April 3, 2026.
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
March 4, 2026
Japan Fair Trade Commission
The Japan Fair Trade Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “ JFTC ”) has opened an investigation on the suspected violation of the Antimonopoly Act by Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. and Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Microsoft Corporation, etc. ”). As part of this investigation, the JFTC, today, also decided to seek information and comments from third parties about the suspected violation as described below.
The JFTC seeks information and comments in the initial stage of the case investigation following the policy statement “Towards the Active Promotion of Competition Policy in response to Socioeconomic Changes as represented by Digitalization – Coordination and Strengthening of Policy Advocacy and Law Enforcement-” which was published in June 2022 (here).
It should be noted that the JFTC has not reached any conclusions at this stage as to whether or not the Antimonopoly Act has been violated.
Guidance
1. Suspected Violation of the Antimonopoly Act Subject to Submission of Information and Comments
Microsoft Corporation, etc., which provides cloud service known as Microsoft Azure (hereinafter referred to as " Azure "), is suspected to prevent enterprises which provide their own cloud services competing with Azure (hereinafter referred to as “ Competing Cloud Services ”) from obtaining transactions related to provision of cloud services, by engaging in the following conduct, in relation to use of cloud services, towards enterprises that have actually obtained or may potentially obtain license to use Microsoft’s software or services, named as Windows Server, Windows Client, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft 365, Visual Studio, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Services”):
(1) not allowing them to use the Services in combination with Competing Cloud Services; or
(2) modifying or setting trade terms of the Services so that costs for the users, etc. are increased when the Services are used in combination with Competing Cloud Services compared to the case in which the Services are used on Azure.
2. Submission of Information and Comments
Details regarding seeking information and comments are provided here. Please note that we accept information and comments in Japanese only.
(360 KB)
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for Japan JFTC News
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from JFTC.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Japan JFTC News publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.