Music sites move into Japan

MP3.com has begun operating a Japanese-language Web site, part of the online music provider's push into the Japanese market for music delivered electronically. The Web site offers links to music from Japanese artists and instructions in English and Japanese. People can listen to full-length songs and download some music if the artist approves.

San Diego-based MP3.com, whose shares have fallen about 40 percent since Jan. 1, is trying to expand as it addresses concerns about violating copyrights. The company's expansion in Japan comes as more record companies set up their own Web sites for online music delivery. Universal Music Group's Japan unit also says it may start such a service in Japan. The unit, Universal Music K.K., has taken a 10 percent stake in a music-marketing venture with Sony's Internet unit, Sony Communication Network, and 16 Japanese music companies.

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