Disney+ to launch in Japan in June

The Mandalorian

The Walt Disney Company’s streaming service Disney+ is to roll out in Japan next month, as part of an exclusive partnership with local mobile phone and cable operator NTT Docomo.

Current subscribers to Disney Deluxe, the service launched by Disney and NTT Docomo in March last year, will receive an automatic upgrade to Disney+ at no extra cost when it goes live on 11 June.

New customers can subscribe to the service through NTT Docomo network at $6.49 (JPY700) per month.

The service is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney’s properties such as Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic, along with its almost-century’s worth of own-brand content.

It also offers a range of originals such as hit action Star Wars series The Mandalorian and Lady & The Tramp.

Last month, it was reported that Disney+ had reached 50 million subscribers worldwide within five months of its initial launch. It has already rolled out in the US, Australia, New Zealand, India and much of Europe.

“In APAC, Disney+ has successfully been launched in Australia and New Zealand, and recently in India with Disney+ Hotstar. We are thrilled to now bring the magic of Disney+ to our consumers in Japan, and to continue entertaining our loyal fans here with Disney’s heart-warming stories and beloved characters,” said Uday Shankar, president of The Walt Disney Company APAC.

Kevin Mayer, Disney’s former head of direct-to-consumer and international team, who oversaw the launch of Disney+, recently left the Mouse House to become CEO of mobile video platform TikTok.