Yahoo Japan opens Android storefront

Yahoo Japan has launched its own marketplace for Android apps and games, a move which could further fragment the platform's marketplace.

The portal provides reviews and ratings, and currently links through to the official Google-operated site for app downloads. As of Spring next year, however, Yahoo will be hosting those apps, and operating a payment system for them, itself.

Several other companies have already launched their own versions of the Android marketplace around the world - a natural progression of Google's 'hands-off' policy which has seen it accused by some of failing to properly cultivate Android as a platform.

Other recent takes on the system's storefront and accessibility issues have come from Mobage, Wildtangent and Gamefly.