Apple launches iTunes Music Store for Japan
updated 10:05 pm EDT, Wed August 3, 2005
Apple\'s iTunes for Japan
Apple today launched the Japanese version of its , which it says delivers music fans the same "innovative features, breakthrough pricing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights that have made iTunes the number one online music service in the world." The company says the store carries one million songs priced at ¥150 and ¥200 per song. "iTunes and iPod are leading the digital music revolution," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We are thrilled to be bringing the iTunes Music Store to Japan, and hope music fans here love it as much as others around the world do."
Apple's iTunes Music Store is the number one online music store with over 500 million songs purchased and downloaded worldwide, and works seamlessly with iPod, the world's most popular digital music player with over 21 million sold, according to the company.
The iTunes Music Store in Japan debuts with local favorites including iTunes Originals from globe and Ulfuls, exclusives from Def Tech, Crazy Ken Band, Chara, Little Creatures, Chie Ayado and The Complete B'z digital box set. Other iTunes exclusives released today include music from international artists such as U2, Jack Johnson and Björk, and over 10,000 audiobooks are available, including works by Japanese authors.
The iTunes Music Store in Japan also features a wide variety of Japanese-language Podcasts, such as InterFM, Sotokoto and Radio Nikkei.
In celebration of the iTunes Music Store launch in Japan, Apple is hosting live music performances throughout August at all four retail locations in Japan, including the new Apple Store Shibuya which opens August 6th.
Apple today also announced the worldwide availability of early Abkco catalog titles from classic artists such as Sam Cooke and The Animals, as well as the Rolling Stones, making the iTunes Music Store the only online music service in the world to feature the complete digital music catalog of the Rolling Stones.
iTunes is offering users the opportunity to pre-order a special version of the new Rolling Stones album "A Bigger Bang" with an exclusive bonus video.
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Joined: May 2001
But why 32% to 77% more
Great to have AMS in Japan even if 2 years late but why are we being forced to pay between 32% (150 yen) to 77% (200 yen) more in Japan than in the USA (99 cents)? Grasping Japanese music distributors I suppose! At this price model, Japanese kids will still rent CDs and rip the music illegally.