Earlier today Apple updated its iBooks app to officially launch the iBookstore in Japan. Now the company has officially announced the launch of the iBookstore via the following press release.

Japanese customers can now access premier titles from publishers like Kodansha, KADOKAWA, Bungeishunju, Gakken and Gentosha. The iBookstore also features upcoming authors such as Shyotaro Ikenami, Jiro Akagawa, Atsuko Asano and Ryu Murakami.

“We’re excited to launch the iBookstore in Japan with a wide selection of Japanese publishers and authors,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We think customers are going to love how engaging and interactive the books are to read, and how beautiful they look on iPad.”

Apple notes the iBookstore is available in 51 countries with free books available in 155 countries and the iBooks app has been downloaded 130 million times worldwide.