Top 20 of Japan’s most valuable web companies

The following list shows an up-to-date list of Japan’s most valuable web companies by market capitalization. It’s interesting to see 6 of them are large-cap (with 2 being very close). But 3 of these companies rather belong to the realm of financial services (the list includes companies, which are not exclusively engaged in Internet-related business).… Continue reading Top 20 of Japan’s most valuable web companies

Mixi starts “Celebrity Account”

Japan’s largest social network Mixi started a specialized user accounts limited for TV-talents/musicians on July 28th 2008. Mixi has a system limitation on your number of friends “Mai Miku”(My Mixi), 1,000 friends at most, however, with this “official account”, which Mixi ascertains the account is owned by the celebrity herself/himself/themselves (=not fake), that celebrity account… Continue reading Mixi starts “Celebrity Account”

Q&A: What is the Japanese equivalent of [Western web service]?

Here is a list of where Japanese users usually go on the web when they want to connect with their friends, buy something or get information. I feature “made-in-Japan” sites and software only (well, almost), knowing that i.e. Google, Amazon and Firefox are highly popular in this country as well. Some of these Japanese sites… Continue reading Q&A: What is the Japanese equivalent of [Western web service]?

Facebook will possibly fail in Japan

Last month I was asked some comments on how Facebook will do in Japanese market by other media. Unfortunately my comments were not taken so I post my answers here. What is the biggest obstacle for Facebook in Japan? The biggest problem is lack of Japanese applications. I agree that Facebook third-party applications are a… Continue reading Facebook will possibly fail in Japan

Google Maps Japan hats off to Mixi

Mixi (on Asiajin), the biggest Social Network Site in Japan, announced that Google Maps Japan now has an specialized Mixi button for users who wants to embed Google Maps on their users diary (Mixi Nikki). “Embed this map to other service: mixi” Mixi has been having the “embed Google Maps” feature for a year which… Continue reading Google Maps Japan hats off to Mixi

SonyEricsson and Nokia integrate Mixi Mobile access into cell phones

Japan’s largest social network Mixi announced that a total of three mobile phones made by Sony Ericsson and Softbank/Nokia have integrated direct access to its mobile version. These are the Cybershot SO905iCS, the Cybershot W61s and the Nokia N95. The Nokia model is delivered in Japan as the SoftBank X02NK. It was announced that users… Continue reading SonyEricsson and Nokia integrate Mixi Mobile access into cell phones

Mixi will set up China subsidiary

Japanese Social Network Giant, Mixi Inc. announced that they will establish a 100% subsidiary in Shanghai, China, to enter the Chinese market this April or May 2008. Most of Mixi’s revenues now come from its social network service for the PC and cellular phones. Mixi says they think China is promising because of the increase… Continue reading Mixi will set up China subsidiary

Mixi’s CTO to step down

Mixi, No.1 Social Networking Service in Japan, today announced that Batara ETO will leave his CTO job at the end of December, 2007. Eto, who is originally born in Indonesia recently naturalized (his former name was Batara Kesuma), is well know as a person to suggested Social Network Service in E-Mercury, the former name of… Continue reading Mixi’s CTO to step down