Japan’s biggest social network and blogging platform Mixi (boasting a user network of over 13 million people, my review) caused a huge stir some days ago when it announced a shocking move. The company of the same name plans to take away all content to be found on its website from its users...
Remote controller for PC operation and Chinese character input
Typing in Japanese can be a real pain. Whereas using the Roman alphabet to type on a keyboard is a relatively direct and easy issue, typing in Japanese usually involves a lot of converting (i.e. from the Japanese alphabet Hiragana to the Chinese characters called Kanji). Also, there sometimes are...
10 winners of CNET Japan’s Tech Venture contest
Last week, CNET Japan held a Tech venture contest and a total of 10 companies were awarded with prices. The event drew a lot of attention in the Japanese web and IT world. Companies awarded which have an English website (unfortunately only three do): – Community Engine(development of network...
Mobile browser from Japan: Jig
Jig is the name of a genuine Japanese Internet software product, a mobile web browser. There is also an English version available which is very welcome. The best point: For overseas customers the usage of jig is completely free! A few days ago, Taisuke -who is CEO and CTO of the Tokyo-based company...
Asiajin Meeting #1 with Web entrepreneurs and developers in Tokyo
Asiajin, the other IT and Web blog I am writing for, is organizing an event for the first time for everyone interested in the Japanese Internet world. The Asiajin meeting #1 will take place in Tokyo/Akasaka on February 26th (Tuesday), beginning at 19.00. Entrance is free courtesy of Cybozu Labs. We...
Review: Japan’s Web giant Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the biggest fish in the Japanese Web market. In fact the service is a giant even by global standards: Rakuten is the country’s largest E-Commerce site (oh, that old word) and Japan is the world’s second biggest economy. This alone says a lot. The company is well known...