Tokyo-based social learning platform iKnow! and Japanese telecommunications and web powerhouse nifty (most famous in the web space for its portal of the same name) are cooperating.

The companies have set up the “Owarai eigo dojo” (Funny English Training Hall), giving Japanese iKnow users the possibility to translate funny stories from nifty’s mega popular “Daily Portal Z” into English.

nifty provides their users with a dedicated web site (Daily Portal Z in English).

As the cooperation began just a few days ago, the content available in English is still scarce, but should be particularly cool for people interested in Japanese sub and pop culture (for example, check out “Sleeping everywhere with a futon” in English). I wonder why there is no link to the original article in Japanese (this might be added soon though). A Digg-button is a must as well, especially for Daily Portal Z-like content.

iKnow explains to their Japanese users how to generate English content for Daily Portal Z here and here.

Tags: Cellular Phone, Company, Japan, New Service, Service by Serkan Toto
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Dwango, the Tokyo-based company behind Japan’s uber video portal Nico Nico Douga and the ringtone for dogs, has officially filed an application to get listed in the Guiness Book of Records.

Why? The company has developed what they think is the world’s longest ringtone at 61 minutes and 40 seconds. Say what you want, but in my view, these guys are Marketing geniuses.

The ringtone became available just today (Japanese handsets only) and is free for users of the Dwango download package offer.

For Asiajin readers living in Japan and actually wanting to download the ringtone, here are the instructions for Docomo, au and SoftBank:

i-mode:
iメニュー→メニューリスト→着信メロディ／カラオケ→J-POP→dwango.jp☆取放題

EZweb:
au one→カテゴリ検索→着信メロディ・カラオケ・ボイス→J-POP→dwango.jpDX☆うたアリ☆

Yahoo! Keitai:
ケータイ：メニューリスト→着うた・ビデオ・メロディ→着信メロディ→J-POP・インディーズ→☆dwango.jpDX☆

Via ITMedia [JP]

Tags: Cellular Phone, Company, Japan, Joke by Serkan Toto
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