37 Japanese Publishers to Distribute Digital Manga to American Readers

At the Denshi Shoseki Comic Summit held in Akihabara, Tokyo, yesterday Shueisha Managing Director Kazuhiko Torishima formally announced the development of a digital manga distribution website tentatively titled “J Manga.” The site will provide North American readers with access to select digital manga from 37 Japanese publishers. A beta version site is expected launch later this fall. The fully operational site is planned for launch in March 2011.

The initial 37 publishers that will participate in the distribution are: Akaneshinsha, Akita Shoten, ASCII Media Works, Bunkasha Publishing, Enterbrain, East Press, France Shoin, Fujimi Shobo, Fusosha, Futabasha, Gakken, Gentosha, Hakusensha, Houbunsha, Ichijinsha, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, June-Net, Kadokawa Shoten, Kasakura Shuppansha, Kodansha, LEED Publishing, Libre Publishing, Magazine House, Media Factory, Nihonbungeisha, Oakla Publishing, Ohzora Publishing, Shinchosha, Shinshokan Publishing, Shodensha, Shogakukan-Shueisha, Shonen Gahosha, Tatsumi Publishing, Takeshobo, and Tokuma Shoten.

Source: Anime News Network