Ke-Tai (Mobile in Japanese)

Japan clearly beats every other country when it comes to new and sexy mobile devices. Not only are their phones better designed, the technology is years ahead of most other countries. So as users begin to consume and purchase more of their music on mobile devices, music industry professionals would be wise to visit the Japanese market.

It was just announced that the Japanese company KDDI’s service called ‘Chaka Uta-Full R’ (Music Ringtone Full) just had it’s 200 millionth Over-the-air (OTA) download. For the Japanese, 40% of digital sales are of full track mobile downloads. And an astonishing 91% of total digital sales in Japan (ring-tone, full length, ringback, etc.) were mobile as opposed to 9% online. Compare that to just 33% mobile sales in the USA.

The Chaka Uta-Full R service has over 120,000 songs available from 50 different record labels.

The mobile device really has a chance to be a big money-maker in the USA. For example, an ipod is limited as a device of self-expression. It is usually listened to by one person through headphones. However, when phones ring, everybody around hears the ringtone. It is a big expression of who you are and the music that you like.

Additionally, user rewards could lead to more sales. For instance, a mobile music provider could add an option to receive mobile news updates about the band of the music recently downloaded. They could also add the social networking element of it so you could see which other of your friends had downloaded the same songs.

The mobile music market in Japan will be one that companies around the world can only hope will develop in a similar way in the USA.

Stay tuned,
Erik
erikrostad.com