We’ve had another fun week here at SD, doing our best to bring you interesting tech stories going down in Japan. But in case you missed any of it, here’s a wrap up below. If you’d like to get this weekly summary plus other bonus content, we hope you’ll check out our shiny new newsletter here.
Features
- From Japan to Silicon Valley: AnyPerk’s startup journey has been longer than most 03/29
- With over 4M downloads, crazy ‘Battle Cats’ game from Japan still has some surprises in store 03/29
- Live-streaming app TwitCasting surpasses 2 million users, but founder is a little distressed 03/29
Business
- Japanese social restaurant finder app Retty teams up with major portals on booking deal 3/31
- Can a small startup help a Japanese convenience store giant promote itself abroad? 03/31
- Yahoo Japan to bolster search results with NHN Japan’s Naver Matome 03/28
- Animation effects startup Cybernoids raises $557K for global expansion 03/26
- Japanese auction price comparison site Aucfan approved for IPO in April 03/25
- Japan’s Softbank Mobile to acquire majority shares of game developer Gungho Online Entertainment 03/25
Design
- Subscription-based Japanese sake service? Yes please! 03/26
- Let your iPhone meditate on this zen smartphone stand from Elecom 03/25
Apps
- Tamagotchi is back as a fun mobile app! 03/31
- Japan’s Kolor app brings you mission-based rewards on your mobile 03/29
- DeNA launches ‘Groovy’ music distribution platform, adding social to the listening experience 03/29
- Widgely: Community Factory and Yahoo Japan team up on multi-purpose girlie app 03/28
- TeamLabBody 3D iPad app is a medical student’s dream 03/27
- Japanese tower defense hit ‘Battle Cats’ marches on, now with 4 million downloads 03/26
- With over 25 million downloads, FX Camera is one of Japan’s most successful photo apps 03/25
Startups
- Deadline approaching for G-startup event in Beijing, get your application in now! 03/31
- Closet shopping for material girls: Material Wrld makes its public debut 03/29
- How Stores.jp is helping small businesses in Japan come online 03/28
- Japanese corporate communication platform Talknote has more than 5,000 clients 03/27