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iTunes launches in Japan

4 August 2005 19:10 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 1 comment

Apple has launched it's highly successful iTunes music store in Japan; the worlds second largest market for albums. The songs are priced at about 150 yen ($1.35, 75p) each, and the store opened already offering more than one million tracks. Of course the launch of iTunes in Japan is seen more of a way for Apple to try to accelerate iPod sales, which generate much more revenue for the company. However, Apple's Steve Jobs did boast a bit about iTunes again.

According to Jobs, iTunes is available now in 20 countries, which account for 85% of the global; music market. There is no question about whether Apple is currently in the driving seat of digital music or not; for now most experts agree that is most definite. Some have credited the company with revolutionising the way songs are bought and heard. However, it's Apple's iPod music player that the company cares most about.

Launching iTunes in Japan can only do well for the multi-million selling devices, which currently account for 36% of all portable digital music players sold in Japan - compared to a market-dominating 70% in the United States. "We think this is going to change the experience of discovering and buying and enjoying music in Japan." Jobs said. "Together with the iPod, we think we are ushering in a whole new age of digital music."

One of Apple's biggest download store rivals is Napster, which also has it's eyes set on Japan. The company announced a deal with Tower Records Japan to launch it's service in the country. After reporting a net loss of $19.9 million, the company believed that they will get back on the surface with their rapid growth of revenues. "We look forward to announcing a number of new strategic initiatives later this calendar year designed to create new revenue streams, improve margins and accelerate our path to profitability," said Chris Gorog, Napster's chairman and CEO.

Source:
BBC News

Permalink to this article

Apple to make a big announcement in September? (30 August 2005)

iTunes Japan sells albums for 50 yen - Accidentally (25 August 2005)

Apple's tight grip on digital music won't last much longer? (21 August 2005)

Japanese artists siding with iTunes (10 August 2005)

iTunes sells one million downloads in Japan (8 August 2005)

BiBC presents video download service (3 August 2005)

iTunes 500 million target reached (18 July 2005)

Apple reports its most successful quarter (14 July 2005)

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benjers (Inactive) 5 August 2005 17:56
haha lets see them launch it in china. i mean properly!! with all their piracy lol [ + quote]