Epic Games Launches Epic Games Store for iPhone in Japan Today
Epic Games announced today, May 1, 2026, the launch of the Epic Games Store for iPhone in Japan, making 'Fortnite' and 'Rocket League Sideswipe' available. This move follows the Japanese government's Mobile Software Competition Promotion Act, which mandates Apple to open iOS devices to third-party app stores. Epic Games is urging the Fair Trade Commission to strictly enforce the law against Apple's anti-competitive practices.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:01
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 23:04 (12h 32m after Collected)
Epic Games announced that starting today, May 1, 2026 (Friday), the Epic Games Store is available for download on iPhones in Japan, and 'Fortnite' and 'Rocket League Sideswipe' have begun distribution. This comes in response to the Japanese government passing the Mobile Software Competition Promotion Act, which requires Apple to open iOS devices to third-party app stores.
■ Enjoy the new season on mobile!
Players can now enjoy the new battle royale season, 'Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2: Fortnite Showdown,' on their iPhones. Join either Team Foundation or Team Ice King, lead your team to victory, and unlock new weapons, items, and rewards throughout the season.
Developers using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) have created over 345,000 games across various genres, including box fights, horror games, and tycoon games, which players can also enjoy.
Players who download Fortnite on mobile and invite friends can obtain the new powerful 'Yeddy' costume.
■ Enjoy Golden Week 2026 with Fortnite!
Make the most of Golden Week 2026 in Fortnite! Popular past items will return to the item shop, along with locker bundles and special events held on community-created islands.
- STELLAR IN FORTNITE
From 8:00 PM JST on Saturday, May 2, VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei will host an interactive music performance, 'STELLAR in Fortnite,' developed using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) in partnership with Black Tower Studios.
Additionally, Hoshimachi Suisei's Icon Series Bundle will reappear in the shop from 9:00 AM JST on May 2.
- 'Steal the Brainrot' Event
On May 3, 2026, a special event, Admin, not to be missed, will be held in 'Steal the Brainrot.' Participate in the event and fill your base with rare brainrot!
- Golden Week Item Shop
Throughout the week until May 9, popular past items will sequentially reappear. Furthermore, two popular locker bundles by favorite Japanese creators will return, and one new locker bundle is also planned.
■ Excessive fees and cumbersome installation procedures for third-party app stores harm competition
Apple continues to intentionally make it difficult for third-party app stores to compete with the App Store on iPhone, and furthermore, blocks third-party stores on iPad. We strongly urge the Fair Trade Commission to strictly enforce the law and prohibit Apple from imposing illegal fees that hinder consumers and competition.
Apple also imposes a 5% 'core technology fee' on all in-app purchases made through apps downloaded from third-party stores. The company further obliges developers to track and report all transactions, including incomplete ones. This creates confusion and costs, hindering developers from entering competing app stores. As a result, the iPhone version of the Epic Games Store does not offer apps developed by other companies.
When we launched the Epic Games Store in Europe, Apple required a 15-step installation process. Following guidance from regulators, this process was reduced to 6 screens, resulting in a 60% reduction in user abandonment rates for those attempting to install the Epic Games Store. In Japan, however, Apple has added three more steps for developers and consumers, further increasing barriers to competition and choice.
We will continue to collaborate with Japanese regulators to rectify these anti-competitive practices, aiming to create an environment where developers and consumers can fully benefit from this law. The Epic Games Store is available globally on Android devices and within the European Union (EU) on iOS devices, with a planned launch in Brazil in June 2026.
■ Enjoy the new season on mobile!
Players can now enjoy the new battle royale season, 'Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2: Fortnite Showdown,' on their iPhones. Join either Team Foundation or Team Ice King, lead your team to victory, and unlock new weapons, items, and rewards throughout the season.
Developers using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) have created over 345,000 games across various genres, including box fights, horror games, and tycoon games, which players can also enjoy.
Players who download Fortnite on mobile and invite friends can obtain the new powerful 'Yeddy' costume.
■ Enjoy Golden Week 2026 with Fortnite!
Make the most of Golden Week 2026 in Fortnite! Popular past items will return to the item shop, along with locker bundles and special events held on community-created islands.
- STELLAR IN FORTNITE
From 8:00 PM JST on Saturday, May 2, VTuber Hoshimachi Suisei will host an interactive music performance, 'STELLAR in Fortnite,' developed using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) in partnership with Black Tower Studios.
Additionally, Hoshimachi Suisei's Icon Series Bundle will reappear in the shop from 9:00 AM JST on May 2.
- 'Steal the Brainrot' Event
On May 3, 2026, a special event, Admin, not to be missed, will be held in 'Steal the Brainrot.' Participate in the event and fill your base with rare brainrot!
- Golden Week Item Shop
Throughout the week until May 9, popular past items will sequentially reappear. Furthermore, two popular locker bundles by favorite Japanese creators will return, and one new locker bundle is also planned.
■ Excessive fees and cumbersome installation procedures for third-party app stores harm competition
Apple continues to intentionally make it difficult for third-party app stores to compete with the App Store on iPhone, and furthermore, blocks third-party stores on iPad. We strongly urge the Fair Trade Commission to strictly enforce the law and prohibit Apple from imposing illegal fees that hinder consumers and competition.
Apple also imposes a 5% 'core technology fee' on all in-app purchases made through apps downloaded from third-party stores. The company further obliges developers to track and report all transactions, including incomplete ones. This creates confusion and costs, hindering developers from entering competing app stores. As a result, the iPhone version of the Epic Games Store does not offer apps developed by other companies.
When we launched the Epic Games Store in Europe, Apple required a 15-step installation process. Following guidance from regulators, this process was reduced to 6 screens, resulting in a 60% reduction in user abandonment rates for those attempting to install the Epic Games Store. In Japan, however, Apple has added three more steps for developers and consumers, further increasing barriers to competition and choice.
We will continue to collaborate with Japanese regulators to rectify these anti-competitive practices, aiming to create an environment where developers and consumers can fully benefit from this law. The Epic Games Store is available globally on Android devices and within the European Union (EU) on iOS devices, with a planned launch in Brazil in June 2026.