Fakes On Annular Solar Eclipse So Buzzed

Posted on May 22nd, 2012 by Akky Akimoto

Last week, Japanese Twittersphere had much debate on the topic how Twitter and social media are weak against disinformation, as a false news site Kyoko-shimbun was criticized by publishing a fake news with a real politician’s name and photo.

The big astronomical event on May 21 morning gave us lots of moving photos, but it was inevitable to get forged images on social media. These are some from Japan/Japanese which really buzzed.

From past

@ryuki_guilty15 tweeted “his friend” took this, retweeted over 30K times.

which turned out to be the one on National Geographic taken in 2010 Thai.

The same photo buzzed on Reddit, too.

Proposal ring

When @wacamera explained how he composed 3 photos, solar eclipse and his right and left hands on iPhone app Blendar one hour later, the photo already circulated on Twitter.

Someone posted it to TV station as his/her photo then.

Finally, it goes over the language barrier and Twitter official blog introduced it.

NASA’s??? eclipse photo on Facebook

@A4sizeCG posted this illustration on the day before the eclipse, May 20 on Niconico Seiga.

Kevin someone re-posted this illustration on Facebook as “one of the most Spectacular eclipse images ever!”, now shared over 60,000 times with 27,000 likes. This illustration is also being circulated around many websites under non-authors’ names or commented as NASA took it.

Tags: Japan, News // 2 Comments »

Japan’s Web News Week 20

Posted on May 21st, 2012 by Akky Akimoto

This week’s Japanese Web/IT related news which we did not write as a dedicated article.

Referred pages are all in Japanese, unless otherwise stated.

If you want to know any specific news more, but unable to find them in other English blog/media, please let us know.

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Shibuya 109 Fashion Social Game Release

Posted on May 20th, 2012 by Chiho Komoriya


Tokyu Malls Development, run by Butterfly and the fashion building “SHIBUYA 109,” have released “SHIBUYA 109 -StyleCollection-”, a social game for mixi based on “SHIBUYA 109.”

“SHIBUYA 109 -StyleCollection-” is a reality based social game coupled with the actual fashion building as the setting.  Users become the manager of a newly opened “SHIBUYA 109” shop, create their own avatar, challenge against rival shops in customer service battles, and together with their stylish staff aim to be the No. 1 shop.  There is now a campaign to commemorate the launch of this service, where all players who visit the actual “SHIBUYA 109” shop will receive an avatar background featuring the symbolic cylindrical building.  You can get it from the touch panel set up on the eighth floor of the building whenever you visit the shop.  As the first part of the plan to link up with popular shops, the number one selling “CECIL McBEE” is featured.  When you actually visit the “CECIL McBEE” shop on the second floor of “SHIBUYA 109,” you receive a limited staff card (in the game) modeling the staff from the “CECIL McBEE” shop, and furthermore if you introduce friends within the game, you can get an avatar with a popular item sold there.  There will also be a collaboration with the major fan festival “Shibuya109 Girls Festival 2012” for girls held at Shibuya Hikarie on May 12th.  Those attending this event will be presented with a one day limited item in the game.  From now the company will be developing various devices to link up the game with reality with “SHIBUYA 109” as the setting.

©Butterfly Licensed by SHIBUYA109

 

Translation authorized by VSMedia

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Rakuten To Purchase 51% Of Online Pharmacy Kenko.com

Posted on May 18th, 2012 by Akky Akimoto

On the same day when Rakuten’s investment on Pinterest reported (Rakuten announced it officially on today May 18.), the Japan’s largest online mall also announced another domestic investment.

On May 15, Rakuten and Online pharmacy company Kenko.com (kenko = health in Japanese) jointly announced [J, pdf] that they agreed on business alliance, as well as Rakuten’s friendly take over bid on Kenko.com, which will make Rakuten as a top shareholder, 40.75%. Rakuten group already holds some stock so the total ownership would be about 51%.

Rakuten is planning to send 4 persons to the Kenko.com board on the next shareholder meetings planned on June 26.

Kenko.com, who has been leading health-related products e-commerce in Japan, has been fighting on court against government around online drug-selling regulation. They recently marked a big turn-over win at high-court that the original government regulation banning internet drug selling, though Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry(MHLW) has appealed to the supreme court.

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Drecom Releases American iOS App “Monster Arms”

Posted on May 17th, 2012 by Chiho Komoriya

Drecom [J] Has released the new social game application “Monster Arms” for the American App Store.  The support language is English so unfortunately it can’t be downloaded from Japan.

“Monster Arms” is a real time strategy card game where you make an original deck and collect character cards while completing missions.  It has social components such as battling with other players to get treasure, or teaming up to challenge against bosses.

Translation authorized by VSMedia

Tags: iOS, Japan, Social game, USA, VSMedia // Add Comment »