Amazon Japan is under investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) for potential antitrust violations related to its Buy Box system.
The JFTC suspects Amazon of pressuring vendors to lower prices on their platform in exchange for better product placement within the Buy Box. This system prominently features one seller's product on a product page, influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Amazon is also accused of requiring vendors to use its logistics and payment services for Buy Box eligibility.
This isn't Amazon's first encounter with antitrust regulators. Similar investigations have occurred in the EU and UK, focusing on the Buy Box and other practices. Other tech companies also face scrutiny over app store control and pricing practices. Amazon settled these cases by committing to objective criteria for Buy Box selection.
In the US, Amazon faces a lawsuit from the FTC and 17 states alleging anti-competitive behavior, including manipulating product pricing. A trial is scheduled for 2026. The FTC claims Amazon's practices increased prices for US households by over $1 billion. Similar investigations are ongoing in other regions.
A new EU investigation may launch next year, examining potential preferential treatment of Amazon's own products. Alternative in-app payment options are becoming a focus of regulatory attention. In 2018, Amazon Japan faced investigation for allegedly requiring suppliers to cover discount costs, ultimately resolving the issue by improving business practices.