Japanese comic books going global

A major Japanese publisher is to sell electronic versions of Japanese comic books overseas to compensate for declining domestic sales.

Industry sources say that Shueisha will offer e-books via a Microsoft website that allows users to download software to mobile phones. It plans to begin the service next spring.

The site will be accessible in 28 countries and regions including Japan, the United States and India.

Shueisha intends to offer Japanese and English versions of 20 to 30 popular comics, including Dragon Ball.

The publisher will become the first Japanese firm to operate a full-scale e-book business for overseas customers.

Japanese companies have previously offered limited services due to concern about copyright infringement.

But increases in Internet security and mobile phone functions are contributing to the expansion of the global electronic book market.