[MCQ]

Wow, that was quick:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/aug/08itms.html

“iTunes has become Japan’s number one online music store in just four days,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iTunes has sold twice as many songs in just four days as all the other online music services in Japan sell in one month.”

That's impressive. I didn't think it would be that quick.

Edit: I guess besides the whole iPod thing, it's because they're undercutting the competition.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050807/japan_itunes.html?.v=1

The service is undercutting some of the online music services now available in Japan. Most iTunes songs, which include international and Japanese artists, cost 150 yen (US$1.35; euro1.10) each, and only 10 percent of the songs cost 200 yen (US$1.80; euro1.50). Japanese are accustomed to paying up to twice that much although the rates are slightly more than the 99 cents charged in the U.S. version of the service.

[Wrao]

Is that really that good? I forget the numbers for some of the other big iTunes milestones, I mean, it sounds good on paper, I guess since the US iTunes has sold 500,000,000... 1,000,000 doesn't really seem all that significant anymore.

Good on apple though, I think securing the japanese market will be pretty significant in the long run.

[MCQ]

Originally Posted by Wrao Is that really that good? I forget the numbers for some of the other big iTunes milestones, I mean, it sounds good on paper, I guess since the US iTunes has sold 500,000,000... 1,000,000 doesn't really seem all that significant anymore. Good on apple though, I think securing the japanese market will be pretty significant in the long run.

To start out, it's not bad. Apple's averaging around 1.5 million per day for the rest of the world... so that's 6 million in 4 days. Considering Japan has a population less than half the size of the US, and while Apple is #1 for mp3 players in Japan, marketshare is nowhere near as high as the US (36% is the only number I can dig up - http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1843755,00.asp )... it's a pretty good number.

Remember - this could also drive more iPod sales there as well.

[Franz Josef]

Originally Posted by MCQ it's because they're undercutting the competition.

And no doubt because they are offering a significantly larger range of songs.

[julesstoop]

And because many Japanese people with iPods haven't been able to download and play any song upon till recently.

[rasmits]

Originally Posted by julesstoop And because many Japanese people with iPods haven't been able to download and play any song upon till recently.

Unless they rip it from CD...

[Brad]

Originally Posted by rasmits Unless they rip it from CD...

Hence the key word: download.

[Wrao]

Originally Posted by Brad Hence the key word: download.

ouch, I felt that from here.


anyway, yea, I guess it is a pretty good mark. I wonder though, we all know how fast moving and ephemeral japanese electronics/computer trends tend to be, will iTunes keep its dominance? I mean, sure, iPod-iTunes combo is pretty great for that, but still... I dunno, I guess time will tell.

[bassplayinMacFiend]

Wow, good download figures considering Sony/BMG witheld their catalog from iTMS Japan.

[morningstarrising]

I think this causes for more mini iPods for Japan, don't you?

[Franz Josef]

Just to put iTMS Japan sales in perspective, the first four days revenue seems to equate to about a quarter of the total revenue for music downloads to computers (ie not mobile phones) for the first six months of this year; Macworld cites Japan Today. Quite an achievement.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index...S&NewsID=12340

Perhaps more importantly, vast majority of "music" downloads are ringtones to phones.

[Mac+]

That's quite impressive ... recording companies that don't offer titles (like Sony/BMG, for example) must be watching the results a little nervously.

[HezMah19]

I hope Sony/BMG's nervous, stop me from getting an iTunes MS in Aus...why i oughta... maybee japans sucsess will help insure iTMS in aus...

[Mac+]

Damn, I agree - we've been so close ... I can't wait for an iTMS in Oz!

[HezMah19]

if you look on the choose store list (on itunes), theres 1 spot left, man i hope its got iTMS-AUS written on it.
off topic, but theres still hope...

[Franz Josef]

Haven't heard anything recent about Aus, but Apple did acquire the NZ domain name last week.