Japanese Search Market News

Which Japanese search engine does have most reach?

The Internet usage report by Video Research shows more than 90% of Internet users in Japan uses Search engines and Search portals.  It also shows that 80%+ of Internet users access to Yahoo.co.jp, compared to Google.co.jp's 18%+ access.  This seems to be a huge gap between the Yahoo and Google, but let's not forget the other popular search engines and search portals that are powered by Google.

Currently, Google search is used by many search sites in Japan including 8 of top 20 popular sites; Infoseek/Rakuten (28%/30%), Excite Japan (14%), Biglobe(24%), Livedoor (20%), @nifty (30%), Goo (24%), and AOL Search Japan. 

- Motoko - AJPR

SEMPO Japan's Japanese SEM market report

SEMPO Japan has announced the results of Japanese SEM market research at the SES Tokyo on April 20.

According to the report, 60%+ said that they used SEM as a way to improve the brand recognition, and 31%+ said that they had a separate budget for SEO in 2006.
Overall, it shows that Japanese businesses are actively utilizing SEM.

* SES Tokyo: Unlike other SES's in US and Europe, SES Tokyo is usually open to the public for free (free for pre-registration, and about $50 if you walk in on the day of the conference), which maybe the reason for a huge participation.  In 2005, they had more than 2500 participants during the 2-day conference. 

- Motoko - AJPR

Shopping information search site for Japan

The shopping focused search site, Become.com, has opened its Japanese beta version “Become.co.jp” on the 10th.
The site users can search the information such as products, reviews, and EC site comparisons in Japanese.

-Motoko- AJPR

Google mini release in Japan

On 12th, Google announced the release of new “Google mini” in Lego-ish simple design, the search appliance for mid to small companies.
Google picked Japan as the first market for the new “Google mini”, and this version is 100% localized for Japanese language.

-Motoko- AJPR

Google Japan's Mobile Ads

Google Japan’s “Google mobile ads” started on the 7th of April. The ads show up on Google.jp’s search results.

In addition to the title (with link to the site) and the description, the ads show a telephone icon, which can be clicked to make a call to the advertiser without dialing the numbers.

-Motoko- AJPR

Japanese users like Google Earth

According to the survey by Japan.Internet.com and JR Tokai express search, almost 80% of participants responded as they’ve used Google Japan.

Q: Do you use Google?
39.9%: Yes, sometimes
39.0%: Yes, always
18.2%: Have heard about it, but haven’t used it
3.0%: Not sure what Google is

Q: Which Google services do you like?
36.5%: Google Earth
6.0%: Gmail
4.8%: Picasa
3.3%: Blogger

The survey was conducted with 331 Japanese between the age of 20 and 60. 70% male and 30% female.

-Motoko- AJPR

Yahoo! Search Japan’s keyword assist

March 15, 2006:  Yahoo! Japan opened the beta version of Keyword input assist.

When a search user types the first several characters of the search word, it will display a list of related keywords. The search user can go through the list and choose a word from there, or can type in the word that she/he wants to search.

This function is available to the Windows users with IE 5.5+ and Firefox 1.0+, and Mac OS X users with Firefox 1.0+ and Safari 1.0+.

-Motoko- www.ajpr.com

Japanese government to establish Blog Association

On February 28, 2006, Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has established Japan Blog Association.

The purpose of this orgazniation is to perform research, study, support, etc. about Blog, in order to provide the information and environment for Blog users to enjoy blogging freely.

MIAC plans to provide the services and activities through the organization from February 28, 2006 to March 31, 2007.

- Motoko - www.ajpr.com

Japan Online Advertising Market to grow as big as 280 bil yen

Dentsu has published “Advertising Costs in Japan, 2005″ on February 20th, 2006.

According to the report, the total internet advertisement spending in 2005 was 280.8 billion yen (approx. $230mil), which is 54.8% up from the previous year. The total for PPC ads was 59 bil. yen, and the total for mobile ads was 28.8 bil. yen.

The report also shows that the total advertisement spending in 2005 was 5.962 tril. yen, which is 1.8% up from 2004. Dentsu expects the total advertisement spending to even grow in 2006 with the big events such as the world cup soccer.

- Motoko - www.ajpr.com

2005 4Q Japanese Comm. Market Results

February 10, 2006

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has announced the results of 2005 4th quarter Electro-Communication Market in Japan.

The results show there are 14,310,000 DSL contractors, 3,978,500 FTTH contractors, and 10,022,000 IP phone numbers.

See the report at: www.soumu.go.jp/s-news/2006/060210_4.html

-Motoko- www.ajpr.com