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Amazon is making its first Kindle push into Japan.
Starting November 19, Japanese consumers will be able to buy Amazon’s new Paperwhite e-reader. The device, which has a built-in light to allow for reading at all times throughout the day, comes with up to eight weeks of battery life and allows users Internet access over Wi-Fi and 3G. In the U.S., the Wi-Fi-only model retails for $119. The 3G version is available for $179.
Amazon unveiled the Paperwhite in September. Just a couple of weeks after the Paperwhite was announced, Amazon revealed that orders had been so strong that the company would be forced to push back some shipments to late October. As of this writing, those who order the device now won’t be able to get their hands on it for four to six weeks.
The Paperwhite is the first Japanese-language Kindle to come to Japan, according to Amazon. When it launches on November 19, customers will be able to buy the Wi-Fi-only model for 8,480 yen ($106). The 3G version will go for 12,980 yen ($162).
Japanese consumers won’t need to wait so long for the Kindle Store. Amazon also announced today that it’ll launch its Kindle Store in Japan tomorrow. The store will come with over 50,000 Japanese-language Kindle books. Over 15,000 manga titles will be available to customers.
As in the U.S., Amazon’s e-books work on the company’s Kindle (and Paperwhite) products. The books can also be downloaded to apps running on a host of devices, including Apple’s iPhone and iPad, and Android-based products.
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