Amazon Begins Selling Software in Japan

Sad box robot: "Downloads? But then you won't need me anymore!"

Thanks to the always informative Serkan Toto for the tip earlier today that Amazon Japan has expanded its offerings to include software downloads among its online retail offerings.

Most of the software categories are more or less in line with what you see on other Amazon regional sites, with PC games, security software, or applications for office or design use. Although I admit that the Adult PC Game category is a little ‘different,’ the section does ask if you’re over 18 before proceeding.

Serkan noted that limited offerings on the site (about 1300 titles presently) will likely expand over time, saying that “[t]he selection (or prices) aren’t terribly exciting, but this is actually a quite big move for the site.”

As a consumer, I tend to use Amazon quite a bit here in Japan, as its prices tend to be as low as any other online retailers here. Incidentally, we’re beginning to see some Amazon-ish moves from homegrown retailer Rakuten, whose Raboo service (Rakuten Books) and Android e-book reader have been announced this summer.

[Nikkei via Serkan Toto, Image Nikkei Trendy]