Italy
This section is always being expanded, I am interested in hearing any information not yet seen here about Jem in other countries, from either if the cartoon was aired there, to what products were available.  Feel free to contact me with any of this information!
The Show: (Claudio, an Italian Jem fan has sent me the info in blue about the Jem airing information):
"Jem WAS a real hit in italy, but only as a TV show. The show (and its horrible italian theme!), were hugely popular and it got re-run many times. the very first series started as a very short sunday special on January 87 (months after the release of the dolls), but as the season was over they repeated it in a compacted episodes formula and by September 87,  they went on with the second series daily. It was on every day for almost three years in a row and on the 1989-90 season the third series was introduced. Many kids who were kids at the time know her, boys and girls, and the italian theme is still a classic in Camp gay clubs were they play music from the 80's.  The only thing i can add is that all the names were the same, but in the TV show they called raya RAJA (which sound so much like aja!) and jetta was Yetta: but i'm quite sure this is due to the ignorance of the dubbing or maybe a mistyping, but definitely not a choice of the authors."
Jem had one more run on Italian television in 2000 (it's since been cancelled again)  The show is basically the same, except a totally new opening song/credit sequence (I like it a lot, it's for sure as good as either English theme), though the opening is quite longer and shows NO Misfits.  The names of the episodes are written (translated) on a still from the show.  It is dubbed in Italian, I'm happy with most of the voice actors used, though many sound a bit older than their English counterparts. The songs remain in English.  A funny note, Pizzazz's name is "Pizza" in the Italian version.  And yes, pizza in Italian means pizza.
Hasbro's Toyline
The following information was submitted by Claudio, an Italian Jem fan: "Jem was introduced in italy on May 1986 through an ad campaign that only showed the main title of the tv show and invited to go and meet jem and her friends in toy stores. The dolls hit the stores in july, and a massive press campaign was made through the Mickey mouse comic book (topolino, in italian) all through the summer: that was definitely the most popular children magazine of the time. All the dolls from the first year were released, but no board games and no fashions, (clothing reached the stores only on the following christmas). The dolls were far too expensive compared to any other fashion doll (of course incl. Barbie, which had never got to such an expensive price at the time) and not many children bought them, even after a revitalizing commercial campaign this time featuring the dolls and the introduction of the fashion lines on Xmas. on  the following year, Xmas 1987, only three dolls of the 1987 line surfaced in stores: Glitter & Gold Jem (as an exclusive of a popular toy store chain, La Giraffa) Rock 'N Curl Jem and, in a very anonymous way, Clash. G&G jem had some kind of introduction through the toy catalogue of those toy stores (which were quite popular catalogues) but R&C jem and clash were just put on the shelves of the same stores, with no sign of advertisement. and that was it."
Jem items were put out in Italy, in Italian boxes. Apparently there is little or no difference between Italian and American dolls. The easiest way to tell an Italian box is the tagline on the doll boxes: "Truly Outrageous/Rock N' Shock" Interestingly, the 1st year doll boxes are dated 1986, not 1985 like the US ones were.   Thanks to Davide for much of the information in this section.
Italy got: 
  • The first year dolls and fashions. (See Kimber, Aja)
  • Some of the 2nd year dolls (Rock N' Curl Jem, Synergy, Clash have been seen in Italian boxes)  Glitter N' Gold Jem was also featured in the Italian Hasbro catalogue.
  • The New Wave Waterbed (here's a scan of the instructions, in Italian - thanks Davide!)
  • The Rockin' Roadster, the Backstager, & The Star Stage were put out in Italy, in Italian boxes.
  • The 2nd year fashions were also available in the late 80's/early 90's, but not so far no sightings of them in Italian packaging.

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    See Jem: 1st Year Boxes for more information on packaging differences. 
    (thanks to Laura (Badgerprincess), for the photo of Kimber!)

    Jem Books: 
    Il corriere dei piccoli, an Italian magazine for children, featured advertisements for Jem.
    Jem Magazine;  (Panini/Marvel) There were at least four different volumes that were released in Italy in Italian. This scan is from the cover of Issue #2 (the only one I own, I'd love more!)  These are adaptations of the comics originally made for the UK market.  I say "adaptations" and not just translations because the Italian versions fit about 3 full UK issues into one glossy-covered magazine, complete with a redrawn original Italian cover, really quite classy!
    Issue #1 (Year 1, Number 1, November 1987) 
    Issue #2 (Year 1, Number 2, December 1987)  Panini sticker Book Ad, Star Stage Ad.
    Issue #3  (Year 2, Number 1, January 1988) 
    Issue #4  (Year 2, Number 2, February 1988)  Love this cover!
    *Thanks to Davide for the scans of the #1, #3, and #4 issue covers.
    Topolino Mickey Mouse comic book, about 5" by 7",  it's small.  But inside is a real treat for doll fans, as there is a full colour, multi-paged comic book-style story all done using photographs of the dolls, their fashions, playsets, etc. (Toyfare, eat your heart out!) The Jem ads started in June 1986, continued through 1987, using the 2nd year fashions and dolls, that ironically never were sold there.
    Check out the Topolino section to see some scans of the ads. 
    Tutto Giocattoli 87/88 (a catalogue that came out at Christmas time, 1987.  Notice it is all of the first year stuff, despite being 1987.  Thanks to Davide for the scan and info!
    Title Episodes Included Date Distributor other
    Fivelandia TV Jem opening credits 1987  Copyright Five Records/
    Reteitalia/Hasbro Inc. 
    This is a compilation of Italian TV cartoons opening themes, Jem being only one of them.
    Magia a Broadway Broadway
    Magic and The Rock Fashion Book
    c.1988 Stardust di Minotti. Cover illustration: Traditional Jem illustration as seen on the box of the first Jem\Jerrica doll
    Avventura in Cina Adventure In
    China and Last Resorts
    c.1988 Stardust di Minotti. Directly translated from Italian, this episode is titled "Mountain Holidays"
    Cover Illustration: Jem singing; a lacy glove is visible
    Una calda estate alle Hawaii In Stitches and Hot time In Hawaii c.1988 Stardust di Minotti. Literally translated into "A Hot Summer in Hawaii"
    Cover Illustration: Jem wearing "Moroccan Magic"
    Il Concerto Jem Jam The Jem Jam pt 1 & 2 c.1988 Stardust di Minotti.
    Other Jem Items:
    Special thanks to C. Baglini for most information in this section and E. Gervasio for most information in Italian Jem merchandise. 
    backpack with picture of Rio, redrawn.  Must be one with Jem as well, possibly others.
    Snack cheese came with free Jem stickers as a promotion (there were 10 different ones).  If you collected enough points you could order a small Jem Suitcase from them. Both produced by "Formaggini Susanna" - "Invernizzi" 1987-88. Copyright Hasbro Inc.  This is an advertisement for the promotion
    Jem die-cut cardboard advertisement (Jem singing with a star background), an advertisement for the Italian Jem videotapes. Copyright Stardust.
    Jem's school goods (Box for pens, satchel, rucksack, exercise book, etc.). Produced by "Artena", Italy 1987. Copyright Hasbro Inc. 1986
    Jem Shoes (for children, five different pairs). Produced by "CEBO" Italy. Copyright Hasbro 1987
    Jem Chewing Gum & Chocolate Bars, both produced by "San Carlo". Copyright Hasbro Inc. 1986-87
    Jem Italian Carnival (like American Halloween) items: Jem's, Pizzazz's, Kimber's Dress; Jem's, Pizzazz's, Kimber's Aja's Wigs, Jem's Make Up. Produced by "SARTI" S.A.S.  Copyright Hasbro Inc. 1986
    LP:  has the Italian Jem theme song, along with themes from other 'toons, with a very small pic of Jem on the jacket front
    CD- another release of the Italian Jem theme: on the cover of the booklet there is a very cute pic of Jem and Kimber redrawn by Italian artist.
    School diary; on the pages inside are pictures of re-drawn box art.  Rio on the cover
    School Diary; Jem on the cover.
    a plethora of unlicensed Jem items: alarm clock (3 styles, Misfits), lamps, etc.