Apple® today launched its revolutionary iTunes® Music Store in Japan, giving 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. With one million songs priced at just ¥150 and ¥200 per song, plus Apple’s legendary ease of use and pioneering features such as built-in support for Podcasting, the iTunes Music Store in Japan is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The 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.

“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.”

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 Bj�rk, and over 10,000 audiobooks are available, including works by Japanese authors.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/aug/04itms.html