Japan has launched an antitrust investigation into Google, suspected of requiring mobile phones to use Google search by default

CTOnews.com, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) Japan's Fair Trade Commission has decided to investigate Google for allegedly violating the Anti-monopoly Law by requiring smartphone makers to offer unfair preferential treatment to their search services during initial setup, the Nikkei News reported.

Japan's Fair Trade Commission has launched an investigation into potential antitrust violations and plans to solicit information and opinions from the public on the matter, an agency official said.

The Japanese investigation comes after the United States filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. The US accuses Google of abusing its dominance to block competitors such as startups and Microsoft, a key argument in the largest technology antitrust case since the 1990s.

Prominent executives, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple's top dealmaker Eddy Cue, testified at the trial, which is not expected to be concluded until next year. Google CEO Sandal Pichai is expected to testify in the coming weeks.

Google's representative in Japan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CTOnews.com previously reported that European and US authorities are stepping up regulation of Google's dominant market share, including search, Android and other services. With the addition of Japanese antitrust regulators, Google will face greater antitrust risks around the world.