(Dec 23): Alphabet Inc is preparing to counter Japanese government allegations that it engages in anticompetitive practices, such as forcing smartphone makers to give priority to Google Search in default screen placement.

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has sent a cease-and-desist order to Google’s Japan office, alleging that the Mountain View, California-based company obstructed competition, a person familiar with the matter said, confirming an earlier report by the Nikkei.

Google and other big technology companies are fighting allegations from regulators around the world that they are unfairly thwarting competition with their control over data and market share.

“We have continued to work closely with the Japanese government to demonstrate how we are supporting the Android ecosystem and expanding user choice in Japan,” Google said in a statement without providing details of the allegations. “We will present our arguments in the hearing process,” it said, adding that it was “disappointed”, and the FTC didn’t give enough consideration of the company’s proposed solution. The company didn’t elaborate.

Earlier this year, the antitrust regulator slapped Google with an administrative order, saying that it used tactics that limited local rival Yahoo Japan’s ability to compete in targeted search ads.

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