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Apple to launch iTMS for Japan in August?
updated 11:30 am EDT, Fri July 15, 2005
iTMS for Japan
Apple will in the middle of August, according to a printed newsletter sent to some users. The newsletter, from Japanese record label Toshiba, said that Apple has plans to launch a Japanese version of its popular iTunes Music Store near August 14th. An earlier report said that major Japanese record companies, including Columbia Music Entertainment, Avex Group Holdings and Toshiba-EMI have already agreed to provide songs for the service launch this August, but that Sony Music Entertainment of Japan had yet to come to terms with Apple.
Boy, I hope so...
07/15, 05:14pm reply
It's about friggin' time. The Japanese music industry is even more insular and exploitive of consumers than the US one, and that's scary.
Interesting to note that some analysts are speculating that the reason that Sony players are selling better in Japan than the iPod is because Sony has an online music store where Apple doesn't yet.
I'm not sure I believe that, but if it's true it's interesting to note that Sony's music division is apparently the one holding up the iTMS--talk about abusing your power. That's why I hate companies like Sony or Toshiba that have a hand in absolutely everything.
Makosuke
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001