Staff writer

KOBE -- During his time in Silicon Valley, James Higa often saw U.S. businesses give their used personal computers to those in need, including nonprofit organizations and schools, and wondered why the same wasn't done in Japan.

Higa, president of the Japanese subsidiary of U.S. Internet business RealNetworks, got to talking with his friend Junichi Hibino about the idea and found in him someone who could help make the practice a reality here as well.