TOKYO—August 9, 2006—Apple® today launched the “Summer of Music” in Japan with free music from iTunes®, Japan’s favorite online music store, collectible iTunes Cards and exclusive live performances at Apple Retail Stores. All summer long, iTunes is offering free music, music videos and collectible iTunes Cards featuring free downloads from the hottest artists in Japan, including Ken Ishii, Simon Le Bon, Hifana, and the world premiere of a brand new video from Beck. Music fans at Summer Sonic will receive collectible iTunes Cards with free music downloads on August 12 in Tokyo and on August 13 in Osaka. Apple’s seven Retail Stores in Japan are holding in-store performances with favorite local and international artists, including upcoming performances by PE’Z and She Wants Revenge.

Apple Retail Stores have become popular venues for artists such as Akiko Yano, ZAZEN BOYS, Yukihiro Takahashi, m-flo, Mihimaru GT and Karia Nomoto with Yasuharu Konishi to support their local fans and promote new music via live performances. This summer fans can expect store performances from artists including Ko Kimura, K Dub Shine, Daishi Dance, Gomes the Hitman and DMBQ. Apple Retail Stores are located in Tokyo’s Ginza and Shibuya districts, Osaka, Sendai, Fukuoka, Nagoya Sakae and the newest store in Sapporo. For more details on upcoming performances, please visit the Apple Japan Retail website www.apple.com/jp/retail.

With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated video and podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod® and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and videos online. The iTunes Music Store in Japan features a vast catalog of more than two million songs, 3,500 music videos, Disney and Pixar short films, 65,000 podcasts and 16,000 audiobooks.