Tokyo event may bring iTunes Japan launch

Apple Japan has invited journalists to a special music event in Tokyo. The event, which is scheduled for August 4 at 10am at the Tokyo International Forum, may bring the official debut of the iTunes Music Store, according to the report. Macworld UK say that Japan is the world's third-biggest music sales market and that Apple has been negotiating with labels since 2003 to offer the local equivalent of a 99c per track tariff, while the labels have been pushing a price equivalent of $1.50. "Japanese CDs cost in the region of £20 each. With CD prices set so high it's no wonder that Japanese CD rental services are highly popular, leading cash-strapped local music lovers to illegally rip music from rented albums."

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video

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Double_UK

J-pop

07/27, 8:44am, EDT

And let's hope that, just like with some Chinese artists, at least some important Japanese artist will also be available in other iTune Music stores all over the world... I'll keep my chopsticks crossed.

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jimothy

Da phone! Da phone!

07/27, 9:43am, EDT

And heck, who knows, maybe we'll see the iTunes phone here. You know, the phone that "needs it's own event"?

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enken

welcome to Japan

07/29, 10:59am, EDT

We've been desperately waited for the day. Japanese iPOD users will not be isolated any more!But the price is annoying me.$1.4 per song is too expensive.

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