Tokyo- Amazon Japan G.K. started a fresh food delivery service on Friday, allowing customers to receive products they buy in as short as four hours after order placements in some cases.

Japan is the third country after the United States and Britain where the "Amazon Fresh" service has been launched. The move is likely to increase competition in the online retail sector.

The new service, provided to "Amazon Prime" subscribers who pay an annual membership fee of 3,900 yen, is initially available in six wards in Tokyo--Minato, Chiyoda, Chuo, Koto, Sumida and Edogawa. The service area will be expanded in stages.

The delivery time is between 8 a.m. and midnight.

More than 100,000 food items, including meat, fish and vegetables, are offered for the online shopping service. Deliveries will be made at 4 p.m. at the earliest if orders are placed by noon.

Customers can use the service as many times as they want with a fee of 500 yen per month. For the first 30 days, the service is available without the monthly fee. (Jiji Press)