Unlike musical buffs in other parts of the world, Japanese kids appear to get their music the legitimate way.

Label Mobile was floated in 2001 by five record companies. This joint venture now boasts of 11 labels as shareholders, who distribute music content throughout the country through mobile operators.

In August 2007, the Japanese band GReeeeN became the first music group in the world to sell over 1 million full-tracks downloads of a love song “Aiuta,” outstripping its CD and online digital sales. Shortly, afterwards, another track, “Flavor of Life” sold 7.2 million ringtones, ringback tones and full-track downloads, while CD sales were only 660,000.

According to the Recording Industry Association of Japan mobile music accounted for 92% of all digital music sales (¥75.5 billion; $641 million) in Japan, last year.

These statistics are not surprising for a market where credit cards usage accounts for only 8% purchases compared to 25% in the US.  This implies that the Japanese clear their music bills with other regular bills, every month, so there is no piracy or default.

But will this also work for countries, where music piracy is alarmingly high, such as India or Pakistan? Or, even in the US, where people buy their music  on credit or/and swap sites (like Napster) than pay to get it straight from record companies.

That remains to be seen…