Livedoor Launches An Open Source Showcase

On Monday, Livedoor Co., Ltd.[J] launched “EDGE src [J]“, a new website which showcases Livedoor’s software and source code which is being distributed to developers under its open-source policy. The company set up an internal team and a project called “EDGE [J]” to develop software and services on an experimental basis. Since its inception last… Continue reading Livedoor Launches An Open Source Showcase

Shockwave closes, Japan loses one of its biggest casual gaming sites

Japan, the country of Nintendo, Sony and Sega, doesn’t have a decent casual gaming site anymore (Hangame is big but doesn’t really count in this area). That’s what Timo Meyer, fellow German and founder of Tokyo-based gaming portal Wazap, told me recently (Wazap has recently launched their own casual gaming section). The reason: On January 31,… Continue reading Shockwave closes, Japan loses one of its biggest casual gaming sites

Google Japan Apologizes For Inappropriate Pay Per Post Use

About Google’s Marketing Activities – Google Japan Blog Under the name of the Senior Marketing Manager Koji Baba, they announced on their official blog, “Google Japan is running several promotional activities to let people know more about our products. It turns out that using blogs on the part of the promotional activities violates Google’s search… Continue reading Google Japan Apologizes For Inappropriate Pay Per Post Use

Google Japan Buys Dirty Pay-Per-Post Links

Google Japan seems desperate in chasing the Mighty Yahoo! (see here for example). They are now using a tainted and controversial social media optimization method called pay-per-post, provided by CyberBuzz. Recently, Google Japan announced a top-page redesign on their official blog, in which they added a “Google Kyuujyoushou Waado (Hot Keywords)” feature. This addition displays… Continue reading Google Japan Buys Dirty Pay-Per-Post Links

Japan’s 1st Social-Lending Site Offers An Alternative In This Rough Economy

Last Friday, Japan’s first social-lending service provider Maneo Inc. was invited to Digicon Salon’s monthly technology meet-up, where company CEO Tadatoshi Seno-o gave a presentation on Maneo’s services and background at the Graduate School of the Digital Hollywood University in Akihabara, Tokyo. Mr. Seno-o formerly worked for one of Japan’s major banks, and he co-founded… Continue reading Japan’s 1st Social-Lending Site Offers An Alternative In This Rough Economy

ISP Platform Provider Releases iPhone App To “Server-ize” Your iPhone

FreeBit Co., Ltd[J], a Tokyo-based venture company famous for providing its network platform to many VNO/ISPs (virtual network operator/Internet service providers), presented its business plans to investors Wednesday. On the same day, company CEO Atsuki Ishida[J] unveiled the company’s brand new iPhone app in the AppStore (clicking on the link will launch iTunes). The app… Continue reading ISP Platform Provider Releases iPhone App To “Server-ize” Your iPhone

Tokyo Police Acts Against Slander On Blog Posts

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has decided to give prosecutors files on 18 people, who are suspected to have slandered comedian “Smiley Kikuchi[J]” by posting groundless comments on his blog alleging that he is involved in a high school girl’s murder case. This kind of situation, in which blog readers slander a blog’s owner by… Continue reading Tokyo Police Acts Against Slander On Blog Posts

UQ Communications Commences Mobile WiMAX Trial

UQ Communications, the Japanese Mobile WiMAX license holder, will commence a trial period of 4 months prior to a formal network launch expected in July. Starting on the 26th of February 2009, trial area will include Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki. Trial application forms are already available on UQ website, from which 5000 trial “Monitors” will… Continue reading UQ Communications Commences Mobile WiMAX Trial

Japanese Government Promotes Puppet Security Idol “Securina”

Securina is an another virtual idol unit by puppets newly appeared into Japanese otaku scene, as a part of “Check PC” campaign backed by METI, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. Shina, from Tokyo, who is unfussy and easygoing, likes Parfait. and Sena from Osaka, assertive and boyish, likes drive. The “Check PC”… Continue reading Japanese Government Promotes Puppet Security Idol “Securina”