Author: Serkan Toto

Virtual world Ameba Pigg to go English next spring in Americanized version

Tokyo-based (and listed) web juggernaut CyberAgent‘s virtual world Ameba Pigg [JP] has proven to be a veritable success here in Japan since its launch this February. The company says there are now 1.5 million members in the virtual community, with an undisclosed number of those coming from Non-Japanese-speaking countries (the service is Japanese only). But… Continue reading Virtual world Ameba Pigg to go English next spring in Americanized version

Japanese Social Network Wars: GREE Overtakes Mobage-town, Is Now Japan’s No. 2

Mobile social gaming platform GREE‘s CEO Yoshikazu Tanaka repeatedly said in the last weeks he wants every Japanese to use GREE eventually (yeah, right). He also said he wants to beat direct rival Mobage-town in terms of user base in six months, and Mixi in twelve months. That was in September. And today, at the… Continue reading Japanese Social Network Wars: GREE Overtakes Mobage-town, Is Now Japan’s No. 2

Idol Foreign Language Academy: Now Idols Teach Languages (In Akihabara, Of Course)

This is slightly off-topic but cool. There are hundreds of language schools in Tokyo, but the Idol Foreign Language Academy, which will open its doors very soon, is certainly unique. The concept of the school is based on having Japanese idols, young and cute girls who are famous to some extent (I am paraphrasing), teach… Continue reading Idol Foreign Language Academy: Now Idols Teach Languages (In Akihabara, Of Course)

Japan’s Biggest Social Network Mixi Buys 20% Of Foreigner-Led Social Gaming Company Pikkle

Mixi [JP], Japan’s largest social network (17.4 million members at the end of June), yesterday announced [JP, PDF] they acquired a 20% stake in Pikkle, a Tokyo-based social gaming company that was founded in 2005. What’s particularly interesting about this deal is that Pikkle was founded by David “DC” Collier, a veteran in the videogaming… Continue reading Japan’s Biggest Social Network Mixi Buys 20% Of Foreigner-Led Social Gaming Company Pikkle

Top 50 Of Japan’s Most Rapidly Growing Tech Startups. GREE Is No. 1.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has compiled a list of the 50 fastest-growing tech firms in Japan [JP, PDF], and it’s quite interesting. The so-called Nippon Technology FAST50 was released yesterday by the company’s Tokyo subsidiary, and I took the liberty to fully translate the list. Deloitte says the ranking is based on sales growth over the… Continue reading Top 50 Of Japan’s Most Rapidly Growing Tech Startups. GREE Is No. 1.

Japan’s No. 1 Online Mall Rakuten Buys Into Thailand’s Leading E-Commerce Company Tarad

Japan’s biggest online shopping mall Rakuten (nearly 50 million registered users in Japan/Asiajin articles) today announced [JP] a capital and business alliance with Bangkok-based Tarad Dot Com [TH], Thailand’s leading e-commerce company. The move marks Rakuten’s first serious attempt to gain in a foothold in the country, which has an Internet population of 13.5 million… Continue reading Japan’s No. 1 Online Mall Rakuten Buys Into Thailand’s Leading E-Commerce Company Tarad

China’s Baidu Launches Mobile Search Service In Japan, Includes Emoji Search

China’s answer to Google, Baidu, has launched a number of search services for cell phones in Japan today. “Baidu Mobile” consists of four main elements: PC web search, mobile web search, picture and video search. But it’s also possible to look for emoji, picture characters or emoticons excessively used especially by Japan’s youth (and especially… Continue reading China’s Baidu Launches Mobile Search Service In Japan, Includes Emoji Search

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Categorized as Japan

In Japan, Freemium Works. Nico Nico Douga paid member user base passes 500k

One of the big differences between the web in Japan versus America or Europe is the way sites are being monetized. Generally speaking, the level of acceptance for the freemium model seems to be higher among Japanese users. As a ballpark number, it’s safe to say that usually between five and 15 percent of users… Continue reading In Japan, Freemium Works. Nico Nico Douga paid member user base passes 500k