TOKYO -- A number of Japanese store operators and publishing houses will join hands to sell e-books in bookstores, aiming to spur demand and compete with Amazon Japan.
More than 100 companies are expected to eventually participate. Among the initial players will be four store operators, including Sanseido Bookstore and Yurindo, as well as such e-book sellers as Rakuten and Toppan Printing subsidiary BookLive. A little over 30 publishers will be involved, including Kodansha, Shogakukan and Kadokawa. Leading regional bookstores and other e-book sellers will join up soon. The service will launch in March.
