Radiohead have set up an special account on the popular Japanese social networking site mixi. Their profile says that Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood have both been trying to learn some Japanese in preparation and, yes, they can eat sushi. Other mixi users registering with the account will get access to some exclusive videos and diary entries ahead of the Japanese CD release of "In Rainbows". Radiohead made headlines earlier this year when they made the album available as a digital download: the site invited people to pay whatever they thought it was worth, including the option to pay nothing. The band said at the time that they would later release it as a CD and vinyl package and it will go on sale in Japan from the 26th December. Around 4,300 mixi users have signed up to the account since it opened yesterday. Although it will only be running until the end of January next year, Radiohead's involvement is quite a coup for mixi and a setback for MySpace who were hoping to use their popularity with musicians overseas to promote their own Japanese service. Mixi hopes that other bands and celebrities will also be willing to open up accounts to promote their activities.
