The craze that has been sweeping America has now made its way to Japan as the Pokemon Go app debuted there on Friday.
As the Japan Times noted, the popular app launched overseas earlier this month but those in Japan could not download it until today.
“Everyone has been waiting for this,” said Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute. “There’s no doubt it will be popular in Japan as well.”
Since the app is free to download and so hugely popular, Engadget reported that users in and outside of Japan will see many more sponsored locations other than just McDonald’s. However, the fast food chain is an ideal location since there is a McDonald’s in or near just about every town.
According to data compiled by SensorTower Inc., some 30 million downloaded the Pokemon Go app in the first few weeks of the game’s release and that it generated $35 million in revenue.
However, many warn that not everything about playing the app is all fun and games. Authorities are warning Pokemon masters that thieves have been preying on some who are so concentrated on the game that they are not paying attention to their surroundings. In those instances, perpetrators are using the opportunity to rob players. There have also been many accidents and even deaths reported while users were playing the game.