Yuku free message boards

Oricon wrote:

---

So even if I already have a UK iTunes account, all I have to do is go on the Japan iTunes and register an account, pay Japan-Codes for Japan iTunes Gift Cards for the normal price and then attach the codes to my Japan iTunes and then I can legally buy music off iTunes? Or am I missing something...?

You're missing nothing. In fact, here's a little trick: open up the iTunes Japan store, go to the apps section, and try to download a free app. It'll ask you to register your account, in which all you need is a working e-mail and ANY Japanese address. To get you started, here is the address to my old University: 2-8-12 Minami Azabu 
Minato-ku, Tokyo 
106-0047

I want to use this separate post to make something clear about iTunes Japan: it uses .m4p - meaning that it is still DRMed. Not a problem if you use Apple products like an iPod or an iPhone, but you will have to work around it if you use another mp3 player OR want to be the first to leak a single/album or whatever.

The DRM'd .m4p files are 128kbps, which is roughly a 160kbps MP3 in terms of its equivalent. To work around the DRM, you'll have to burn the files as an audio CD and then re-rip it (I recommend re-ripping at 160kbps mp3). There is a slight quality degradation as it will be a second generation file, but it is VERY unnoticeable to the ear when compared to the original file unless you listen with a profession sound setup - meaning that it is good enough for the average listener.

As I originally mentioned, it's not 320kbps and might not be preferable if you listen to classical scores and SOME rock depending on what artist/group we are talking about, but for general J-Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop (you know, EXILE, AKB, etc.) the sound quality should be of good standard for most people.