Follow Up: myGengo Announces First Round of API Lab Winners

Following up our previous coverage of human translation company myGengo’s API Lab, the company has announced its first round of winners for plug-ins created using the myGengo API. So far 6 developers have won cash prizes for their 18 plug-ins that will allow thousands of users to order human translation services from within mobile, browser,… Continue reading Follow Up: myGengo Announces First Round of API Lab Winners

GTA Chinatown Wars Released On Japanese App Store As More Western Developers Use iPhone to Penetrate Insular Games Market

Yesterday, Rockstar Games released a fully localized version of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the Japanese app store as more Western game brands invest in localizing and releasing iPhone apps. This comes at an opportune time for many Western gaming brands – not only is the Japanese games market showing signs of becoming increasingly insular  on… Continue reading GTA Chinatown Wars Released On Japanese App Store As More Western Developers Use iPhone to Penetrate Insular Games Market

myGengo Opens $45,000 API Lab To Support Third Party Developers

Having raised $585,000 in angel investments this summer, Tokyo-based human translation start-up myGengo has set aside $45,000 to support third-party developers with their new API Lab. The API Lab is a place for developers to experiment with the myGengo API, build plug-ins for third-party platforms, and win cash prizes. While myGengo has offered crowd-sourced translation through their homepage – the… Continue reading myGengo Opens $45,000 API Lab To Support Third Party Developers

Family Mart Debuts New Rice Balls Suggested By Twitter Users

Following the cooperation between soft drink company Calpis and noodle maker Acecook with Mixi in 2008, we have yet another case of social media integration into product development in Japan. Major  convenience store chain Family Mart is concluding its campaign [J] where they release new rice ball flavors according to the suggestions of Twitter users… Continue reading Family Mart Debuts New Rice Balls Suggested By Twitter Users

Japanese “Giga Pudding” becomes massive meme on 4chan overnight

Overnight – a Japanese DIY pudding called Giga Pudding has become a massive meme on message-board 4chan. This enormously sized pudding, launched in 2008, contains over 20 servings and requires 1.6 liters of water to make. A promotional web video in which a pudding character endlessly sings “Puddi Puddi” had made the rounds for the past… Continue reading Japanese “Giga Pudding” becomes massive meme on 4chan overnight

Adtech Tokyo: Event Wrap Up

The 2nd annual Adtech Tokyo took place this week in Tokyo at the Prince Park Tower for marketing and agency professionals. The conference aims to gather leading thought-leaders to share insights and trends in digital marketing. This years programme featured 12 dedicated tracks, 36 individual sessions, and 5 keynotes. This article will summarize some of the speeches and… Continue reading Adtech Tokyo: Event Wrap Up

Uniqlo’s Lucky Line Campaign Makes It To The Twitter Trending Topics

Japanese fashion giant Uniqlo has made it to the Twitter Trending Topics through their latest campaign “Lucky Line”, which celebrates their 26th anniversary. The central campaign website [J] extends to reveal a virtual line of Twitter users who have entered for the chance to win a 1,000 yen coupon to Uniqlo shops. Users join the line by auto-tweeting from… Continue reading Uniqlo’s Lucky Line Campaign Makes It To The Twitter Trending Topics