Society

Amazon, Netflix gain ground in Japanese streaming market

Mar 22 (variety.com) - Amazon nearly doubled its share and Netflix grew strongly in Japan's streaming market last year as the two global services try to raise their profiles in Asia.

dTV from Japanese telco NTT DoCoMo topped the list of SVOD services in Japan in 2017, with a 20.3% share, but that is 3.8 percentage points lower than the previous year, according to marketing analysis firm GEM Partners. Second was Hulu Japan, with 13.5%, and third was U-NEXT. Amazon ranked fourth, nearly doubling its share from 5.9% to 11.5% last year, followed by Netflix, which grew from 4.3% to 7.1%.

Total SVOD sales last is estimated at 183 billion yen ($1.7 billion), a 12.2% increase from the year before. GEM forecasts that Japan's streaming market will grow to 255 billion yen ($2.4 billion) in 2022.

In Japan, VOD service with smartphone contracts was strong before SVOD services became popular. A strong selling point for Amazon Prime Instant Video in Japan is its low subscription price: 3,900 yen ($36.75) for annual membership with unlimited viewing, about one third of the U.S. membership fee. Amazon video's price in Japan is cheaper than for dTV, Hulu and U-NEXT.

Japan Set for First Female Leader

A special session of the Diet convened on October 21st, where Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Takeuchi is expected to be chosen as Japan’s next prime minister in the afternoon’s leadership vote. Following a coalition agreement reached on October 20th between the LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai, Takeuchi’s appointment is now virtually certain, paving the way for her to become the first woman in Japan’s constitutional history to lead the government.

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Strengthens Over South China Sea, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 201st show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

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