Netflix confirms Japan roll-out

US streamer Netflix has set a date for its launch in Japan – its first official move into Asia.

Netflix original historical drama Marco Polo

The Netflix Japan service will roll out from September 2 with a selection of Japanese TV series and films, as well as original shows such as Marco Polo, Marvel’s Daredevil and Academy Award-nominated documentary Virunga.

The roll-out to a potential 36 million Japanese broadband households will follow Netflix’s previously announced expansion into Australia and New Zealand in March.

Gregory K Peters, chief streaming and partnerships officer at Netflix since 2013, was previously promoted to general manager of Netflix Japan, which is in the process of opening a Tokyo office.

This latest expansion is part of the Californian firm’s strategy to complete its global roll-out by the end of 2016. However, Japan, Italy, Spain and Portugal will be the company’s only new markets this year.

Sources have also told C21 the service will become available in South Korea during 2016, while speculation continues to mount that the company will arrive in China soon. Netflix is also reportedly aiming to launch in India next year.

Fellow US streaming outfit Hulu launched in Japan in 2011 but sold its service to local operator Nippon Television Network after less than three years.