Apple looks to iPod shuffle to raise market share in Japan

Apple hopes to boost its share of Japan’s digital music player market to 80 percent from around 50 percent now. Apple Japan vice president Yoshiaki Sakito said the company will reach its goal thanks to the new iPod shuffle. Sakito said Apple has already received more pre-orders for it in Japan than those placed for the iPod mini. Sakito also said that a Japanese version of Apple’s iTunes Music Store is expected to launch before the end of the year.