Netflix, Inc. To Launch In Japan This September

Along with investing in supporting more languages and show libraries tailored to various markets, Netflix is making a priority of optimising its service on mobile devices since those are the main tools for accessing the Internet in emerging markets, according to the company. Netflix will launch its streaming television service in Japan on September 2, the latest stop in its mission to be a global entertainment powerhouse, it said yesterday. The company, which has evolved into a leading source of award-winning original content, has previously expanded into Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

“With its rich culture and celebrated creative traditions, Japan is a critical component of our plan to connect people around the world to stories they love”, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in February, when the initial plans were disclosed. It’s a mammoth effort that has the company aiming to achieve a presence in 200 countries by the end of 2016.

While 200 countries seems a little ambitious, Netflix isn’t even close to done in their 2015 expansion.

The video streaming giant confirmed the launch date to tech site VentureBeat, after revealing earlier this year that it planned to go live in Japan this autumn. At the time of writing, Netflix is available in more than 50 markets, across the Americas (including Cuba) and large swathes of Europe. While expanding to Japan is a huge win for Netflix, obviously, China is the big fish Netflix is trying to catch in the region.