Gree announced today that it revised up its annual sales outlook from its original forecast 90-100 billion yen(US$1.15-1.28 billion) to 130-140 billion yen(US$1.67-1.80 billion). Net income is expected to increase 11 billion yen (US$141 million) as well.

This upward revision is due to higher rate of social game monetization, the release said.

Reason for revision

Fiscal 2011 Q1, as seen in the last fiscal year, has shown stable paid service sales, with
monetization of social games on our social networking service (SNS) GREE increasing at a
higher rate than originally expected. Considering this level, we have revised our annual
estimates for Net Sales, Operating Profit, Ordinary Profit and Net Income, which are
expected to exceed our previous estimates.

We have considered increased costs for enhancing data centers, increased advertising costs,
increased labor costs and recruiting costs with the expanding business, and increased costs
related to offices overseas such as the Americas, Europe, and Asia, in addition to recent
financial performance when revising our estimates

from the release

Tags: Japan, Social game by Akky Akimoto
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Mantan-web reported [J] that the dramatized version of popular social game Kaitou Royal, on Japan’s large social game network Mobage by DeNA, got 4.2% audience rate in Kanto-area (greater Tokyo and around) by Video Research’s research at its first week episode.

4.2% at 0:20 after the midnight is not so bad. It is about 1.6 million people according to the rate-and-population chart on Video Research site [J].

Tags: Japan, Social game by Akky Akimoto
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Japan, the broadband Internet country is having new Internet connection service under the name of AKB48, Japan’s most popular girls group.

On the top image, one of the most popular member Yuko Oshima is “breastfeeding” a baby and the caption says “will you make a baby with me?”

The ISP offers free application AKBaby (AKB + baby), which compose baby face from AKB48 member and you. You upload your face and choose an AKB48 member, you will get the baby photo with the member.

The provider costs 1,480 yen monthly. You also need either optical or ADSL internet connection by NTT East or NTT West. (It is possible that enthusiastic AKB48 fans could want multiple memberships, but I could not find information if you can subscribe only AKB48 Net part without NTT contract.)

As a member of AKB Official Net, you will enjoy the following rewards,

• Internet connection service (of course!)
• AKBaby application explained above
• advanced distribution of AKB48 movies
• right to purchase a special e-mail address with your favorite member’s sub domain (e.g. yourname@atchan.akb48.ne.jp, atchan is one member’s nickname)
• AKB48 official fan club member contents, including 1) right to request song and 2) queuing tickets for AKB48 theater booking

AKB48 is known by its election business, where they hustle fans into purchasing more than one CDs to push their favorite member up on the inside-group ranking (Wikipedia English). That is well designed voting entertainment such like The US presidential nominating caucuses and primaries. AKB48 does not reach any political achievement, but I see similarity in collecting huge money from supporters.

In May, there was a report that one fan bought 5,500 of the same CD for “voting”. Although some say that this 5,500 CD story is a fake, there are many anecdotes on 2-channel and other sites that AKB fans buying 10-100 CDs to support his girl and get a special treatment such like hand-shake with her.

In September, nation-wide real-estate agent chain Apa Man Shop introduced AKB48 apartment [J], where the lessee can listen AKB48 members’ (recorded) voice in their flat.

It is becoming more and more convenient for Japanese AKB48 fans to show their loyalty for their Oshimen (a generated word on this AKB48 phenomenon means “A member you support”).

Tags: Trend by Akky Akimoto
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Japan is reported to begin Yen intervention today. But after the initial US dollar surge, Yen stalled around 79.19 against 1 US dollar over 3 hours.

In early afternoon trading in Tokyo, the dollar was holding steady at around 79.19 yen, but it remains to be seen how long an impact the intervention will have.

As pointed on 2-channel, 79.19 exactly matches how Finance Minister Jun Azumi telling “thoroughly until I am satisfied”(=”Nattoku Iku Made Okonau”) is accepted as some kind of secret code as “Nattoku Iku” sounds similar with “Nana Ku I(chi) ku)”=79.19. Non-Japanese do not see why the strange line shows up (see comments here for example).

This is ridiculous. Should the minister have picked another phrase not to be misunderstood that he is signaling such a secret message to someone?

Tags: Japan by Akky Akimoto
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D3Publisher [J] has begun distribution of “Dream Club Pure Clock Amane ~ Preview Version ~”, an iPhone application version of their popular title, “Dream Club.” [J]  Download is free.

“Dream Club” is a popular romance simulation game series released by D3P.  The recent work “Dream Club ZERO Portable” is due to be released on PS Vita.

“Dream Club Pure Clock” was made available for Android on July 24th, but now at last it will be available for iOS.  By touching and tilting the screen, host-girl “Amane” responds, saying various remarks, becoming happy or shy, and the player enjoys her many reactions.  Also included will be “Live 2D” technology, which converts 2D illustrations into 3D, so it will be possible to make the appearance close to that of the Xbox 360 version.  A full package update is planned to be released for Android and iPhone in the Fall, which will include an “alarm clock function” and a “time reading out loud function.”

(c)D3 PUBLISHER

DREAM CLUB ZERO PORTABLE(Original Gift Enclosed: Limited costume: “Dream Panther” Product Code Included [J]

Translation authorized by VSMedia

Tags: Japan by Chiho Komoriya
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