LOS ANGELES � Toho-Towa will replace United International Pictures as Universal Pictures' distributor in Japan, world's second largest entertainment market.

Move is effective this summer and will likely kick off with Paul Greengrass-helmed "The Bourne Ultimatum."

Universal Pictures Intl. president David Kosse enthused about the studio's new partner, noting that Toho-Towa "will be invested in the success of our slate of films in Japan." Toho-Towa, a subsidiary of Toho, is Japan's largest film producer and exhibitor.

Toho-Towa deal is third solo move in Asia by Universal, even though Universal and Paramount will not dismantle their UIP joint venture in many other territories in the region.

Last year Universal announced that it would pact with Edko Films for distribution of its movies in China and Hong Kong. And in November it was revealed that Universal would handle its own releasing in South Korea through a new entity, Universal Pictures International Korea.

As a result of the Toho-Towa deal the only studio movies to be handled by UIP Japan will be from Paramount. Japan contributed $113 million of UIP's $301 million gross in Asia in the 11 months to Nov 2006. Toho Towa's biggest hit in Japan last year was "Mr and Mrs Smith," which grossed $39 million (Y4.65 billion).

© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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