Online song-seller Napster and real-world disc retailer Tower Records announced that they are teaming up to compete in the Japanese music market.

Napster Japan will be launched out of Tower's headquarters in Japan within the next year, company officials said in a statement.

Tower will contribute seven million dollars and provide managers, local music content, and marketing through its 108 stores in Japan. Napster is to provide its online music cache and resources, plus three million dollars.

Tower will own 70 percent of the joint venture and Napster the remainder, the statement said.

The service will be "carefully tailored to local tastes and rich in Japanese repertoire," Napster chairman Chris Gorog said.

From YahooAsia News