12 Asian countries can now buy or rent the millions of songs, movies and others on their own iTunes Store

Hot off the heels of our report, the iTunes Store is now officially available in 12 Asian countries.

Apple has today announced the launch of the iTunes Store in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and nine additional countries in Asia featuring  local and international music from all the major labels and thousands of independent labels. The iTunes Store features local artists including Jay Chou, Girls’ Generation and Andy Lau, international artists including ADELE, The Beatles and Jason Mraz, and world-renowned classical musicians including Lang Lang, Yo Yo Ma and Yuja Wang. Customers can choose from over 20 million songs available to purchase and download on the iTunes Store.

Apple is bringing the iTunes Store to music fans in Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Customers can also rent or purchase movies from the iTunes Store, with many available in stunning HD, from major studios including 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, The Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures.

Some comments from users in the Philippines indicate that the pricing in some of the countries may be cheaper than the US iTunes Store.