meta_id 2929083

On March 4, 2026, Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) announced the commencement of an antitrust investigation into Microsoft Corporation, Japan Microsoft Corporation, and Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited (collectively "Microsoft") for suspected violations of the Antimonopoly Act. The investigation concerns allegations that Microsoft has engaged in anticompetitive conduct regarding its software and services, including Windows Server, Windows Client, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft 365, and Visual Studio. Specifically, the JFTC is investigating whether Microsoft has: (1) Prohibited or restricted licensees and prospective licensees of its services from combining them with competing cloud services that rival Microsoft Azure; or (2) Altered or set trading conditions to impose higher financial burdens on users who combine Microsoft services with competing cloud services compared to those utilising Azure, thereby obstructing competing cloud service providers from acquiring cloud service transactions. The investigation forms part of the JFTC's broader competitive policy initiative announced in June 2022 to address socio-economic changes driven by digitalisation. The JFTC is soliciting information and opinions from third parties, including system integrators and cloud service users, to support the early stages of its investigation. Submissions must be provided in Japanese via email to dpidiv_2026@jftc.go.jp (replacing the "―〇―" with "@" in the address provided). Respondents must identify their relationship to the matter, specify which Microsoft services are relevant, and describe the competing cloud services involved. The submission deadline is May 29, 2026, at 18:00 Japan Standard Time. The JFTC clarified that initiating this investigation does not presume the existence of antimonopoly violations.