In a recent PR [JP], Fujitsu announced a complete services and consulting suite for Google Android. According to Fujitsu, Google Android will not only be used for Mobile phones, but as an embedded platform for various applications: Car navigation systems, Set Top Box, Office Appliances and the obvious Smart Phones. Based on Linux and maintained… Continue reading Fujitsu to offer Android related services
Category: Japan
$8.70: Emobile Introduces Japan’s Lowest Monthly Phone Fee
Emobile, the No. 4 major cell phone carrier in Japan, said Wednesday that it will introduce a new cell phone price plan on February 7, which is the most attractive in Japan – at least if you aim for the lowest possible prices. For an almost unbelievable basic fee of 780 Yen ($8.70/6.80 Euros), Emobile… Continue reading $8.70: Emobile Introduces Japan’s Lowest Monthly Phone Fee
Comic Giant Officially Allows Bloggers To Republish One Of Its Titles
Kodansha, Japan’s leading comic and novel publisher, announced today that it is allowing bloggers to republish the comic titled “Mikako-san [J]” authored by famous cartoonist and illustrator Kyo Machiko [J]. The title appeared serially in Kodansha’s weekly comic magazine “Morning”, and the same content is also on the magazine’s official website [J]. Her fans can… Continue reading Comic Giant Officially Allows Bloggers To Republish One Of Its Titles
Laptop users plugging in at stations risk police visit
In US airports, many people can be seen using their laptops plugged in to nearby outlets. If you do that in Japan, you could be arrested by the police. In February 2004, a man using a power outlet in Nagoya Station was questioned by railroad police. The case was reported to the prosecutor’s office as… Continue reading Laptop users plugging in at stations risk police visit
A Brief History Of Japan’s Social Media Scene
This rough overview shows how the social media landscape evolved in Japan from 1987 till today. Hideyuki Yoshikawa is the man behind this. The original blog post can be found here [JP]. In the past, Asiajin covered Kakaku.com, 2channel, Hatena, Nico Nico Douga, Mixi, Twitter (Japan) and Pixiv.
Japanese and French giants shake hands in e-commerce deal
Sumitomo, one of Japan’s almighty general trading houses (sogo shosha), will buy a 34% stake in Hachette Fujingaho [JP], the Tokyo-based subsidiary from Lagardère Active, a media conglomerate headquarted in Paris. The two companies already signed a basic agreement on January 14 with the deal being worth 5 billion Yen (55 million USD/42 million Euros). Sumitomo… Continue reading Japanese and French giants shake hands in e-commerce deal
Google inflates Search Market Share versus Yahoo! Japan
Google Japan’s year-end announcement on Dec 22nd, 2008 shocked the industry, when they loudly proclaimed that their search market share had reached 41%, which is only 3 points behind the 44% of Japanese portal giant Yahoo! Japan, using data from Nielsen/NetRatings (report on @IT [J]). The news raised some eyebrows because no such indications had… Continue reading Google inflates Search Market Share versus Yahoo! Japan
Rakuten to start PHS service in April
Rakuten[J], Japan’s largest e-commerce player, unveiled that it is planning to start a PHS (personal handy-phone system) service as an MVNO (or mobile virtual network operator) for its corporate users this coming April. Jointly with Fusion Communications, and under a roaming agreement with Japanese PHS operator Willcom, Rakuten intends to provide free mobile phone service… Continue reading Rakuten to start PHS service in April
Akiba mobile app biz plan competition held by Mitsui VC
Mitsui Ventures, the investment arm of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., organized a business plan competition called “i*deal competition“, and the award presentation ceremony was held today in Akihabara, where new Internet subcultures and innovative services are born. The event started with a keynote speech by famous IT journalist Nobuyuki Hayashi, who is well-known as the… Continue reading Akiba mobile app biz plan competition held by Mitsui VC
KAYAC sells their 88 websites
Kayac, a web development and consulting service in Kanagawa, announced that they sell 88 web services they created last year. Kayac, which often addresses themselves as “Omoshiro Houjin Kayac”, which means “Funny Corporation Kayac” in Japanese, is known as an unique web development company. Some of their weird topics are; locating at the old capital… Continue reading KAYAC sells their 88 websites