Apple announced that its iTunes Music Store and its iPod have become leaders in Japan. The compay is claiming nearly 60% of the Japaneze market for both iTunes and the iPod.

Apple launched its iTunes Music Store in Japan earlier this year (in summer). At that time Sony was the leader for online music sales and had a strong position in the digital audio players market as well.

Apple took only a few months to catch-up with other players of the market while sales of its iPod were boosted by the launch of the its music store.