Apple has ben working on expanding their iTunes Match and iTunes in the Cloud services ever since they originally launched. iTunes in the Cloud, which allows users to re-download music purchased through iTunes, has now gone live in Japan (as noted by Macotakara), and iTunes Match is likely soon to follow.
Up to this point, iTunes in the Cloud has been limited to apps and books in Japan, but the “Purchased” section of the iTunes Store has now been updated to grant access to previous iTunes music purchases as well.
MacRumors points out that there are no other countries with iTunes in the Cloud music services that do not also offer iTunes Match. Apple’s iTunes Match service is now available in 37 countries, with Japan coming in as the 38th if Apple does in fact launch the service there.