Amazon Prime Video to Launch Next Month in Japan

Amazon Prime is already immensely popular in Japan with millions of members enjoying free delivery on millions of items. Starting next month, Prime is going to get even better with the launch of Prime Video: thousands of popular Japanese and U.S. movies and TV shows, popular anime, fan-favorite music concerts, variety shows and award-winning Amazon Originals-all at no additional charge to their annual Prime membership. Unlimited, 24x7, access to all this content will be available to new and existing Prime members at no additional cost to their Prime membership - JPY3, 900, the equivalent of JPY325 per month. Prime Video will be available anytime, anywhere on the Amazon Video app for Android and iOS phones and tablets, Fire tablets, game consoles and smart TVs. In addition to standard and high-definition viewing, Prime members will be able to enjoy select titles in 4K Ultra HD picture quality-a premium resolution that has four times the number of pixels as standard full HD.

"We launched Prime in Japan nearly 10 years ago and it's been increasing in popularity ever since as we've worked hard to add more products and provide ever faster delivery options. Now, Prime-the best bargain in the history of shopping-is getting even better with the launch of Prime Video," said Jasper Cheung, President, Amazon Japan. "As we've shown with the launch of Prime Video in the U.S. 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. 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."

In 2014 alone, Amazon invested $1.3 billion in content for Prime Video. That investment has continued in 2015, including in Japan. Amazon recently announced agreements with world-famous filmmakers, producers and personalities to develop fresh, original content exclusively for Prime members. In Japan, Amazon will bring popular Japanese dramas, variety shows, anime, movies and much more to Prime Video in Japan-details will be announced in the coming weeks.

"We can't wait to bring exclusive original series to Prime members in Japan, from our popular and award-winning series' like Mozart in the Jungle, TRANSPARENT and TUMBLE LEAF to new Japanese originals, we know Prime members will love having unlimited access to watch," said Roy Price, Vice President Amazon Studios. "We are passionate about making distinct, exclusive entertainment that will become Prime member's next favorite TV show or movie, and we know Prime members in Japan will love what we introduce just for them."