Microsoft Japan has announced that the Japanese version of Internet Explorer 9 will be delayed. The Japanese side of the company did not give a new future date to look forward to, but it did say that the recent earthquake was one of the reasons it would not be able to release IE9 on time. The launch of IE9 is expected to take up significant network bandwidth for the software giant and in Japan those pipes are needed for more important things.
Last week, Microsoft announced that IE9 would be launching on March 14, 2011 at 9:00 AM PST. This translates to March 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM in Japan, but the company decided to change its plans the day of.
IE9 just hit the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) milestone last week. We'll let you know when it hits the Release to Web (RTW) milestone later today.
Here is the Google Translate version of the press release:
To everyone affected by the earthquake off northeastern Taiheiyou this time, I would like sincere sympathy.
Microsoft Japan, this time due to the earthquake, and to reduce the load on network bandwidth has become a critical communications infrastructure, including consideration of saving the company activities, March 15 (Tuesday) at 1:00 pm (Japan time) had been scheduled to date browser, Internet Explorer (R) decided to postpone 9 of the Japanese version of the retail offer. (Other than the Japanese version will be available as scheduled) The new date for delivery as soon as I guide decision while watching the recovery status. In conjunction with this, March 17 (Thursday) We also postpone or cancel the decision of the retail offer commemorative events are scheduled. We also guide decisions about again. And apologize for any inconvenience that the great determination this time to everyone, thank you for your cooperation and understanding of everyone understanding. Recovery as soon as possible, We wish.
Here is the Bing Translator version of the press release:
To the victims of the Northeast Regional Pacific earthquake of greetings from the heart.
Due to the earthquake of Japan Microsoft, due consideration to offload to the network line has become a key communications infrastructure and enterprise activity in low-power, had been scheduled for March 15th (Tue) 1: 00 pm (Japan time) on most browsers Internet Explorer (R) 9 has decided to postpone Japan language version product edition offer. (Version not the planned forthcoming) While watching the recovery situation information provided, a new decision as soon as attention, please. Also product Edition provides Memorial events accordingly, March 17 (Thu) are going to postponement or cancellation of the decision. Also the decisions renewing attention, please. Appreciate the decisions of investors are very sorry for that I apologize, as well as kindly and for your understanding and cooperation. Wishes recovery as soon as possible to the heart.