Facebook, which I think I do not need any explanation what it is to English web users, announced that they would open their Japanese arm in Tokyo early in 2010, ITMedia reports [J].

The branch, which is planned to be formed with developers from US and locally hired Japanese engineers and managers, will make a special version for Japanese cellphone, such like Twitter recently did for Japan market, and Japanese original features both for PC and cellphone.

Javier Oliván, International Manager at Facebook, told that Facebook overtaking the local No.1 like as they did in US, UK, Germany, Spain and Turkey, can be reproduced in Japan market against Mixi, Gree and Mobage-Town.

Tags: Japan, News by Akky Akimoto
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Japan's second largest airliner ANA (All Nippon Airways) announced they would start a new service on selected flights between NRT (Narita International, Tokyo) and JFK (John F. Kennedy International, New York) next February, which makes all passengers (including economy class seats) on the flights possible to connect their iPhone/iPod to the in-flight personal entertainment system.

A passenger having iPhone/iPod can throw videos and pictures stored on the device to a LCD just in front of him/her when seated, and the system has also a feature to charge the battery for the device at the same time. Now you can enjoy watching your favorite long movies from the time of take-off to touch-down without fearing battery's death nor feeling stressed by gazing at a tiny image on the iPhone/iPod. In order to avoid causing the possible radio interference, users will be advised to switch the iPhone/iPod to the airplane mode when using the service on a plane.

Author's Note: Unfortunately, this service does not contain in-flight WiFi/wired Internet connectivity which is something like Aircell, Gogo and former Connexion by Boeing.

Tags: Company, Japan, New Service, News by Masaru IKEDA
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The Wall Street Journal(WSJ) announced today it would launch Japanese news portal site[J] on December 15th.   This will be the company's second non-English portal site following Chinese Edition[C] in Asia, and is bringing us a few news stories a day on a trial basis until the official launch date.

WSJ has been owned by News Corporation, a Rupert Murdoch's company since 2007.   It made a foray into Asian countries and launched the Asian Edition and the Indian Edition last February.

Non-account users are allowed to read news stories which have been published for the last one week.   Signed-up users (free of charge) can read stories which have been published in the last one month, check stock quotes, make comment on the stories and receive conference invitations.   News commentary will be provided only to paid subscription users.

Tags: Company, Japan, News, Service by Masaru IKEDA
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Softbank Mobile, the third largest, and iPhone exclusive provider cellphone carrier in Japan, announced their 22 (75 colors) new cellphone "Winter" models [J]. 8 of 22 will have WiFi feature and users are encouraged to join the new WiFi plan "Ke-tai WiFi"(cellphone WiFi) [J], which may cover up their 3G connectivity weakness due to dull investment against other top 2, if many users switch WiFi when they can.

CEO Masayoshi Son also announced Android phone release in next Spring. It was not disclosed which vendor it is but he said "the most advanced Android phone (currently) available".

Their new TV commercial features Quentin Tarantino, who plays "Tara Ojisan"(Uncle Tara) and enthusiastically talks about Samurai. The part of making was aired at the press conference.

He was on another Japanese cellphone commercial couple of years ago and played a foreigner who can never stop talking.

via Ke-tai Watch [J]

See Also:

Softbank Mobile release [J]

Tags: Cellular Phone, Japan by Akky Akimoto
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Fukuoka-based nulab, Inc. [ja] launched a real-time collaboration tool for drawing diagrams called Cacoo.

With its real-time synchronization technology, you can edit files on Cacoo while other team member is working on it. The pre-defined stencil sets include parts for network diagrams, sitemaps, wireframes, and UMLs, in addition to generic shapes and illustrations.

Cacoo - Real-time Collaborative Diagramming & Design from Nulab Inc. on Vimeo.

Cacoo is proposing another solution for the problem MockFlow and Gliffy has been addressing for a while — an easy visual communication tool for remote project members. Combining the real-timeness of MockFlow and versatility of Gliffy along with extra features (e.g. automatically updating exported images after additional changes are made), they may be able to show what's been missing for wider user adoption of tools in that arena.

Cacoo is free for all users at the moment. They are planning to introduce a "premium" plan in 2010.

Press Release

Tags: Japan, Service, Technology by Naoko McCracken
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