As expected, MySpace formally announced its arrival in Japan yesterday. As previously reported, the social networking website will launch in the country through a partnership with Tokyo based telecommunications firm Softbank. The Japanese version of the site, currently operating in a beta format, will offer similar functionality to the US and UK MySpace services.
Confirming the launch, MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe told reporters: "The launch of a Japanese community is a huge step for MySpace's international expansion". He said that the Japanese services would be a "community that is localised in terms of language and culture" but very much part of the "MySpace global network".
As in the UK and US, music will play an important role in the Japanese MySpace service. With that in mind, MySpace will stage a secret semi-acoustic show featuring Noel Gallagher next week, following on from similar intimate secret shows held by MySpace elsewhere in the world. Confirming the gig, MySpace Japan CEO Makoto Kouyama told reporters: "The launch of MySpace Japan with a concert by one of the most popular acts in Japan is just the first of many steps we are taking to serve the local community".
At a corporate level MySpace Japan is expected to operate pretty autonomously, although with some direction from its US based parent company.