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BUSINESS
Feb 6, 2003

Matsushita missed boat on camera phones: exec

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. missed its goal of capturing 25 percent of Japan's cellular phone market because of its late introduction of camera phones, the head of the company's mobile communications unit said. Panasonic brand cell phones finished 2002 with less than 20 percent of the domestic...
JAPAN
Feb 8, 2002

Are cell phones becoming too disruptive?

Masahito Tagami spent some 900,000 yen on a relay antenna system when he opened an "izakaya" restaurant in the basement of a building in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, last April, so that customers could use their mobile phones.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 6, 2021

Singapore ready to cash in on Southeast Asia's esports boom

The tiny city-state is emerging as a force in hosting events related to mobile and video games, and is cultivating itself as a hub for the industry.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 23, 2019

China holds the key to 5G technology's growth

To build the 5G network infrastructure in the U.S. smoothly and at a low cost, the U.S. and China should discuss their high-tech frictions and explore a solution.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 5, 2015

Japanese smartphone carriers offer mixed responses to Android flaw

A recently discovered security flaw affecting some 95 percent of Android mobile devices means users are at risk of being hacked just by receiving a short message with malicious intent.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 17, 2013

Teenagers deserting Facebook as mom and dad join social network

Facebook made a startling admission in its earnings announcement this month: it was seeing a "decrease in daily users, specifically among teens." In other words, teenagers are still on Facebook; they're just not using it as much as they did. It was a landmark statement, since teens are the demographic...
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Mar 19, 2008

Gaming contest adds Dutch style to Japanese knowhow

UTRECHT, Netherlands From March 8 to 9 I was lucky enough to be involved as a jury member in a fresh initiative called the Japan GameJam. This new concept brings Dutch game designers into the exciting world of Japanese mobile gaming with a two day intensive game design session.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
May 15, 2007

Who's paying for those free cell phones?

No longer just a simple device for placing calls, the mobile phone is now a must-have item for most people. To promote market penetration, many of these multimedia, high-tech handsets are sold at a discount, or sometimes even given away.
LIFE / Digital / CYBERIA
Jan 31, 2001

Castles in the sky

Here's a folk tale for the digital era.
EDITORIALS
Apr 23, 2000

A nation of chatterboxes

People who at first glance seem to be carrying on animated conversations with themselves, complete with bows and gestures and sometimes so loudly they annoy anyone near them, are a common sight nationwide. Of course, they are not conversing with imaginary listeners. As most of us know because we are...
BUSINESS
Mar 20, 2000

Japan Telecom on road to survival

With e-commerce blooming and cut-throat competition intensifying in the telephone business, Japan Telecom Co. is shifting its focus from voice to data transmission and enlisting the help of foreign partners, says Haruo Murakami, president of the firm.
Japan Times
Special Supplements
Dec 16, 2020

Technology aims to fix labor shortages

DRONE FUND, established by Kotaro Chiba in 2017, has provided capital to help develop the drone business. It launched the third round of funding to accelerate social implementation of drones and air mobility in May, aiming to raise ¥10 billion. NTT DOCOMO INC. is one of the first companies to invest...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 6, 2018

Rakuten Inc. gets approval to become nation's fourth major wireless carrier

E-commerce giant granted access to a fierce competition for subscribers alongside industry heavyweights who have long dominated the cellular market.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 18, 2017

Why we don't need to fear the net neutrality repeal

After net neutrality ends, ISPs are unlikely to do anything that riles consumers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Mar 30, 2013

Summly highlights how smartphones are upending media models

Many this week celebrated the latest tech wunderkind, a British teenager who made a fortune selling an app that boils down news reports, no matter how important or complex, into a pithy 400 characters. But for some of those who prefer heartier servings of news, the development carried at least a whiff...
LIFE / Digital / TECH_JAPAN
Dec 15, 2010

Social gaming frenzy sees two Godzillas play rough

On Dec. 8, the Tokyo-based Internet company DeNA received an on-site investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) due to suspected unfair trade practices. DeNA had allegedly interfered with their third-party game providers' development of games for DeNA's competitor, Gree.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Oct 13, 2010

Unfortunately named Galapagos tablet is proud to be different

A new tablet may be the last gasp of the Galapagos syndrome in Japan.
Japan Times
LIFE / Digital
Dec 16, 2009

Hot on grandma's trail in Hokkaido

If you're looking for your grandmother in the farming suburb of Iwamizawa, an hour northeast of Sapporo, your best bet may be to phone the municipal call center.
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2006

Softbank will buy Vodafone K.K.

Softbank Corp. said Friday it has reached an agreement with Vodafone Group PLC to buy 97.7 percent of its Japanese unit for 1.75 trillion yen in a move that will allow it to acquire Vodafone K.K.'s 15 million users and its nationwide mobile communications network.
BUSINESS
Jun 4, 2005

Softbank, eAccess to try cell phone market

Japan's telecommunication regulators said Friday they will allow two newcomers into the mobile phone market for the first time in 12 years to prompt more competition in a realm dominated by three top providers.
BUSINESS
Jan 26, 2005

Vodafone cuts off users of crime-linked phones

Vodafone K.K. has begun unilaterally terminating services for prepaid mobile phones that have been used in fraudulent billing and other crimes, company officials said Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FRONT-RUNNERS
Aug 26, 2003

Canon looks to blast rivals via download service

The dramatic growth in the market for mobile phones equipped with cameras has witnessed camera makers struggling to survive the onslaught, some by shifting to production of high-quality digital cameras.
JAPAN
Jun 9, 2002

Rakuten eyes full shopping via mobiles

Rakuten Inc., operator of Japan's largest Internet shopping site, Rakuten Ichiba, plans to make its full online shopping service available on mobile phones by the end of the year, company officials said Saturday.
BUSINESS
Mar 1, 2002

Three to launch dual-CPU cell phones

NEC Corp., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Matsushita Communication Industrial Co. said Thursday that they will market new third-generation mobile handsets with jointly developed technology in the second half of this year.
BUSINESS
Nov 17, 2001

British firm eyes communications technology niche

After forming a partnership with a major Japanese electronics company, nCo Tec ventures Ltd., a venture capital firm based in Britain, is gearing up to promote European ventures involving communications technology in the Japanese market, according to George MacRitchie, a partner in nCo Tec.
BUSINESS
Dec 15, 2000

NEC sells British arm in streamlining effort

NEC Corp. said Thursday it has sold its British operation for manufacturing mobile phones to a Canadian electronics firm as part of its effort to streamline production.
BUSINESS
May 10, 2000

DoCoMo makes foray into European market

Fired by the ambition to spread its next-generation multimedia cellular systems across Europe, NTT DoCoMo Inc. said Tuesday that it will acquire 15 percent of Dutch-based cellular operator KPN Mobile N.V. for 500 billion yen.
Jacob Curry puts some finishing touches on a sandwich spread at a Lizzo show.
LIFE / Food & Drink
Jul 23, 2023

The personal chefs feeding today's global tours

Many tours for A-list artists now include a vegan chef and place a priority on physical and mental well-being as well as lessening environmental impact.

Longform

Rock group The Yellow Monkey played K-Arena Yokohama in June as part of a nationwide tour. Concerts are increasingly popular in the age of social media as users value in-person experiences.
Inside Japan’s arena boom: Sports, sound and city-building