Apple's iBookstore Now Available In Japan

Apple has launched its iBookstore in Japan, bringing content from a variety of publishers to its Japanese customers. Offerings include both indie publications and major titles, digital exclusives, and titles enhanced specifically for the iPad. This brings the total number of countries where the iBookstore is available to 51.

Content offered in the iBookstore in Japan will include works from Bungeishunju, Gakken, KADOKAWA, Kodansha, and Gentosha. According to Apple, some of the authors whose work can be found via the service include Jiro Akagawa, Ryu Murakami, Atsuko Asano, and Shyotaro Ikenami. Many Japanese authors and publishers have showed their support for the iBookstore launch in Japan, with KADOKAWA's chairman saying that the service allows them to offer a reading experience otherwise unavailable.

As with the iBookstore elsewhere, users in Japan will have access to a multitude of content categories spanning both fiction and non-fiction, including cookbooks, biographies, picture books, and more. Free content is available as well, depending on the title. Users who want to use the service can grab the iBook app now for the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad.

Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue had this to say: "We're excited to launch the iBookstore in Japan with a wide selection of Japanese publishers and authors. We think customers are going to love how engaging and interactive the books are to read, and how beautiful they look on iPad."

[via Apple]