Amazon Opens Portal for Mobile App Distribution in Japan

Amazon Opens Portal for Mobile App Distribution in Japan

Amazon continues to expand internationally, invites developers around the world to start submitting apps for distribution in Japan later this year

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (Nasdaq: AMZN) - Amazon.com, Inc. announced that developers can now submit apps for distribution later this year in Japan. This is another significant addition to Amazon's complete end-to-end platform for developers looking to build, market, and monetize their apps and games. Developers can get started today by visiting the Amazon Mobile App Distribution Portal.

Millions of customers have been discovering and buying Android apps for their phones and tablets since the launch of Amazon's U.S. Appstore last year, and the company's merchandising, personalization and recommendation technologies are enabling developers to attract even more customers. Amazon also recently expanded distribution into the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany and Spain, further enabling developers to grow their business. Additionally, Amazon's developers have reported strong monetization from the apps they have distributed, by incorporating services like In-App Purchasing and Amazon's secure, 1-Click purchasing. The In-App Purchasing API makes it easy to offer digital content and subscriptions —such as in-game currency, expansion packs, upgrades, magazine subscriptions and more— for purchase within their apps. Amazon's secure 1-Click purchasing experience gives customers a seamless shopping experience when purchasing content.

Developers distributing game apps on Amazon's platform in the U.S. have also reported increased customer engagement using services from Amazon such as GameCircle, which offers features like leaderboards, achievements and syncing game-state between Kindle devices. To get started developers can visit https://developer.amazon.com/sdk/gamecircle.html.

GameCircle is just one of the many unique developer tools and services offered from Amazon for gaming. To learn more, including Amazon Web Services and how developers are building games in the cloud, visit http://aws.amazon.com/game-hosting/.

"Opening our portal to app and game developers looking to reach Japanese customers is an important milestone as we strive to serve consumers and developers globally," says Jim Adkins, Vice President of the Amazon Appstore. "Many of our existing developers are anxious to localize their apps and games for Japanese consumers, and we look forward to working with new developers that have been waiting for a chance to bring their Japanese content to the Amazon platform. By continuing to expand our app program internationally, as well as build upon the app services offered by Amazon, we are giving developers the opportunity to attract more customers and expand their businesses."

"I am delighted with the strong relationship that we've cultivated with Amazon, in both Mobile App Distribution and AWS. Amazon boasts some of the highest customer LTVs we've seen on any platform, and a suite of end-to-end developer solutions that impact bottom line results. The flexible and cost-effective platform allows us to scale up and down as needed while only paying for the resources used. In addition, their recommendation features really benefit customer experience and discovery," said Suli Ali, CEO of TinyCo, maker of Tiny Monsters, and Tiny Village. "We think the services offered through the Amazon platform have contributed to much of the success, so we are very excited to expand our offerings to Amazon's customers in Japan."

"With chart-topping fan favorites from acclaimed series such as Final Fantasy, Square Enix firmly believes that distribution in Japan through Amazon will be a fantastic avenue to reach an entirely new segment of Amazon's loyal user base," said Yoichi Wada, CEO of Square Enix. "We have been eagerly awaiting Amazon's expansion into Japan, and think it marks an exciting opportunity to tailor our interactive entertainment experiences for even more players around the world."

"We are very excited by the launch of the Developer Portal in Japan, and look forward to introducing the Yahoo! Japan app to Amazon's Japanese customers," says Manabu Miyasaka, President and CEO of Yahoo Japan.

"We've been a top app on the Amazon Appstore in the U.S. and we look forward to expanding to Japan with Amazon," said Diana Moldavsky, Chief Revenue Officer, ZeptoLab. "Amazon's strong app discovery tools such as Free App of the Day will make it easy for Japanese users to discover and experience local favorites, as well as best-selling games loved by millions of people around the world."

"We see Amazon's plans to expand their services into Japan as a very exciting opportunity for Halfbrick. Amazon's name is synonymous with quality e-commerce and that quality can be seen throughout their mobile game and application distribution," said Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick. "Features like 1-Click purchasing, customer reviews and In-App Purchasing are just part of what helps Amazon deliver an excellent experience for developers and consumers. In addition, Amazon's unique marketing opportunities, such as Free App of the Day, really help us deliver our games to end-users."

"Gamers are always hungry for great content and Amazon has been a fantastic avenue for G5 Entertainment to reach a huge new segment of consumers. Our fan-favorite, premium hidden object and time management games like Royal Trouble and Virtual City Playground are topping the casual gaming charts," said Marta Miernik, Head of Communications for G5 Entertainment. "Amazon's expansion into Japan broadens our reach and enables us to bring great mobile entertainment experiences to an even larger consumer base around the world."

"The Weather Channel is happy to be available with Amazon's mobile app distribution in Japan. Our app offers Japanese consumers the most comprehensive set of weather information available in order to plan their day - whether they're headed to work, school, the movies or the park," said Mike Zarrilli, Vice President of international at The Weather Channel Companies. "Working with a strong global partner like Amazon helps us reach our goal to provide the most accurate weather to users anywhere in the world, no matter the screen, platform, country or language."

For developers looking to market their apps to tens of millions of customers across the globe, Amazon makes it easy to take advantage of unique marketing and awareness-building programs like Free App of the Day. Developers can also make their apps more attractive to an international audience by referring to the Distribution Portal for Android localization tips. Developers have the ability to select the countries where they would like to sell their apps and can set their list prices by country. Developers can sign up at the Amazon Mobile App Distribution Portal, and for new developers, Appstore will waive all first year program fees.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) , a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle Paperwhite is the most-advanced e-reader ever constructed with 62% more pixels and 25% increased contrast, a patented built-in front light for reading in all lighting conditions, extra-long battery life, and a thin and light design. The new latest generation Kindle, the lightest and smallest Kindle, now features new, improved fonts and faster page turns. Kindle Fire HD features a stunning custom high-definition display, exclusive Dolby audio with dual stereo speakers, high-end, laptop-grade Wi-Fi with dual-band support and dual-antennas/MIMO for 40% faster throughput than other tablets, enough storage for HD content, and the latest generation processor and graphics engine—and it is available in two display sizes—7" and 8.9". The all-new Kindle Fire features a faster processor for 40% faster performance, twice the memory, and longer battery life.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

Amazon.com, Inc.
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KEYWORDS: United States Asia Pacific North America Washington Japan

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