Japanese regulators are reportedly investigating Apple over allegations it pressured Yahoo Japan to slow the expansion of its online games platform, which competes with Apple's App Store.

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is looking at whether Apple interfered in Yahoo Japan's operations by pressuring it to cut back on developing its Game Plus web-based service which enables users to stream games without downloading apps, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last month, the FTC said Apple could have breached antitrust rules by forcing Japanese mobile service providers to sell its iPhones cheaply and charge higher monthly fees, denying consumers a fair choice.

According to the Nikkei, Yahoo slashed its budget for the Game Plus platform last year, and has almost stopped promoting the service.