GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us that Apple
iTunes is heading to Japan as early as March next year. The Apple service would
be up against at least nine other digital music download services along with
that Apple may not able to rely as heavily on the iPod as it did
in the other western markets. Mp3 players are well established in Japan even before the iPod was released but the recent introduction of the iPod has fuelled sales.
Apple's strong links with the music industry record labels as well as its strong bargaining power will allow it to compete with the other services in Japan . At the moment current music downloader's may have to pay up to £2 for 1 song as high royalty fees push prices up. Apple expects major growth from the service and will launch with around 100,000 songs with a strong focus on home grown talent.
| Japanese finance daily Nihon Keizai says it learned on And Apple"s strong links with major labels and the powerful bargaining position it has with a 70 per cent share of the market may help it compete with rivals. Currently, local sites pay hefty royalties, pushing some prices to more than £2 a song. Apple expects a Japanese service to fast become the largest in the country, offering more than 100,000 songs at launch with a strong focus on home-grown talent. |
Looks like Apple may take a major lead in the Japenese market if there marketing was as good as the US's.
Source: PC PRO
