Softbank To Launch JV With Zynga To Spread Social Games In Japan

On Thursday, Softbank had a briefing on the first quarter financial result of FY2010, and unveiled they would invest in Zynga Game Network and launch a joint venture called Zynga Japan.   Softbank and Zynga will make capital contributions on a 50-50 basis.  Softbank’s CEO Masayoshi Son says, it is expected to launch a social game… Continue reading Softbank To Launch JV With Zynga To Spread Social Games In Japan

“Top 50 Apps In Asia”: Help Accelerate 2010 Identify The Best Asia-Related Mobile And Web Apps

Can you think of a great mobile or web application that’s either made in an Asian country or specifically geared towards users in this region? Or have you developed such an application yourself? Then you should nominate and/or vote for your favorite app in the “Top 50 Apps In Asia” program that e27, a startup… Continue reading “Top 50 Apps In Asia”: Help Accelerate 2010 Identify The Best Asia-Related Mobile And Web Apps

Mobile Janken(Rock-Paper-Scissors) Site Charged By Illegal Gambling

According to Kyodo News, Tokyo metropolitan police department security division arrested three members of the company which ran online mobile gambling sites. It is the first time arrest ever over mobile gambling website across the nation. One of their site, Kensyou Jankenpon (“rock-paper-scissors rewards”. the site already suspended), operated by Seeds Style Co., Ltd. [J]… Continue reading Mobile Janken(Rock-Paper-Scissors) Site Charged By Illegal Gambling

NHN Japan Shakes Hands With 70 Game Developers To Enter The Social Game App Business

The Japanese subsidiary of a Korean online game service operator, NHN Japan[J] announced at the briefing event held on Monday that they would enter the arena of social game business.  The company’s game new platform enables to change the progress of games according to where/when you’re playing, how the weather around you is, and expects… Continue reading NHN Japan Shakes Hands With 70 Game Developers To Enter The Social Game App Business

It’s Official Now. Google Announces Their Search Platform Provided To Yahoo! Japan

Google Asia Pacific and Japan vice president Daniel Alegre announced [J] on official Google Japan blog that Google’s search technology is again provided to Yahoo! Japan. According to the article, Yahoo! Japan uses Google’s search engine as a backend, is able to customize frontend in any way. Google emphasizes that Yahoo! Japan has freehand on… Continue reading It’s Official Now. Google Announces Their Search Platform Provided To Yahoo! Japan

Is Yahoo! Japan Switching To Google Search?

Wall Street Journal’s blog All Things Digital(ATD) reported that Yahoo! Japan is going to announce that they will use Google Search as its search backend, switching from their customized Yahoo! Search Technology(YST). At this point, there are no Japanese media reported this rumour, except Bloomberg Japanese [J] which just refers All Things Digital. Until more… Continue reading Is Yahoo! Japan Switching To Google Search?

Motorboat Art Zipping Up The Sea

A Japanese artist Suzuki Yasuhiro‘s [J] “Zipper Motorboat” is sailing at Setonai-sea art festival [J]. Tokyo-based modern art creator Suzuki, who made a small prototype in 2004 (Movie), who has been dreaming “to divide the sea by gigantic zipper”, made up the ride-able sized boat as a water taxi. # It is under trial operation… Continue reading Motorboat Art Zipping Up The Sea

DeNA (Mobage-town) Shuts Down Social Game “Bandit Nation” On Facebook

Back in May, Japan’s mobile gaming juggernaut DeNA ($3.8 billion market cap at the Tokyo Stock Exchange) took a serious step to bring Mobage-town (its highly successful mobile game community) global. DeNA formed a separate company for that endeavor (MiniNation KK) and localized a total of four games for Non-Japanese players, which were offered to… Continue reading DeNA (Mobage-town) Shuts Down Social Game “Bandit Nation” On Facebook

Online Reward Portals And Internet Cafe Chains To Launch A Social App Platform

Accessport (web service developer known for its video search service Woopie), Seesaa[J] (blog service provider), G.Plan[J] (reward point exchange), Chance IT[J] (reward portal), Chobi Rich[J] (reward point exchange), NetMile[J] (a reward program that allows you to earn and use points on Japanese major commerce sites), Unitcom[J] (known for selling built-to-order PCs online), Runsystem[J] (Internet cafe… Continue reading Online Reward Portals And Internet Cafe Chains To Launch A Social App Platform

Browser Nail Art By A Geek Japanese Girl

A Japanese blogger Mamipeko made a geeky challenge [J] on a nail art shop [J] in Ebisu, central Tokyo. Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer on her nails, The shop painter lady only knew “e” icon unfortunately. The one most took time to finish was Firefox. Google Chrome and Apple Safari are there, too. Thanks for… Continue reading Browser Nail Art By A Geek Japanese Girl