Amazon follows Netflix into Japan

Amazon is launching its video streaming service in Japan just days after Netflix partnered with a telecoms company in the country.

The US retail giant has already made its Amazon Prime delivery service available in the Asian territory but has now confirmed it will roll out its SVoD service next month.

Amazon original Transparent

Amazon Prime members will have access to Japanese and US dramas, as well as Amazon Studios’ slate of original programmes, such as Transparent. The service will also make new Japanese originals.

The move will coincide with the Japanese launch of streaming rival Netflix, which will make its foray on September 2 after partnering recently with mobile provider SoftBank Corp.

“As we’ve shown with the launch of Prime Video in the US and around the world, we are investing significantly to bring high-quality, local and popular programming to Prime members, and our customers in Japan should expect the same investment,” said Jasper Cheung, president of Amazon Japan.

“We’ve been offering videos and DVDs in Japan for 15 years – we know the entertainment customers want – and we plan to deliver it with Prime Video, all at no additional cost.”