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CyberAgent subsidiary Sirok rolls out mobile debugging solution

Takeshi Hirano 2013.10.11

See the original story in Japanese.

At B Dash Camp earlier this week, Kaizen Platform, the Tokyo-based startup behind A/B testing tool PlanBCD, won the top prize. But interestingly, there are a number of other development tools that are popping up here in Japan. Testing tool Fello, for example, has exceeded 100 corporate users in its first month.

And yesterday, another Japanese startup gave us something new as well. Tokyo-based Sirok, the CyberAgent subsidiary behind camera app My365, introduced a comprehensive service package that helps developers debug their mobile apps. It is called Growth Debug.

The new service is a complementary product positioned along side Growth Push, a testing tool focused on gaining user retention which they introduced back in August.

Fierce competition

Sirok CEO Yuto Mukaiyama explains:

I thought the market was sort of ‘Blue Ocean’, but seems like it’s turning red [1]. But a surge in this market is something worth appreciating though.

When the testing tool was launched back in August, he wanted to see it used by 1,000 apps, delivering 10 million testing notifications in three months. So how are they doing now? Mukaiyama responded:

For the target about the number of apps using our service, we’re still struggling. But we’ll probably be able to surpass 10 million notifications pretty soon. We don’t yet provide our service to foreign developers though. In terms of demographics, many of our users are social gaming developers, and casual gaming and community apps follow.

The company also expects to make see the platform used by all 200 Ameba mobile apps (iOS / Android) from CyberAgent, which they expect to account for 20% of their three-month target.

He also explained a little how how their platform can contribute to a better user retention rate:

We are using the platform to improve user retention on our own My365 app, and it is gaining 1.2 to 1.5 times in the number of daily active users on average.

The problem of debugging mobile apps

Growth Debug, their new service, provides developers with improvements in quality and efficiency by taking a different approach.

The company not only gives you the tools, but also provides personnel who can understand how to eliminate bugs.

Unlike conventional tools like Excel, when you find a bug in your app you can record and manage it via an online tool. This lets you submit an issue to management tools such as JIRA and Redmine, including a screen capture, a handset terminal ID, and a log. Mukaiyama explains how it differes from conventional debugging solutions:

We used to create a script to automate text inputs in testing a sign-up process in an app. But this doesn’t work at all on mobile apps where an enormous number of minor adjustments are usually implemented. As a result, these developers are forced to input texts manually when testing.

Finding bugs and extracting testing cases is very important, but the quality of this process depends on who is involved. An engineer many need to ask a debugger to find clarify some meaning in a list of bugs or testing cases. For social gaming developers, a bug related to in-app purchases may have a great impact on how much money you can make. That’s why we developed a tool that allows you to easily submit a defect as soon as you find it by connecting a desktop and a smartphone device.

Mukaiyama explains their another advantage they have is their strong network of debuggers:

Our parent company CyberAgent has developed a number of apps, and their experience will help our users debug more efficiently. We aim to help developers improve their apps with a combination of a tool and professionals.

In contrast with PlanBCD, their aforementioned competitor which uses crowdsourced workers to help users improve user experience, Sirok has partnered with about ten temporary employment agencies and ask them to send the company staffers when needed.

When they used their debugging package to improving some Ameba mobile apps, debugging time was shortened by about 30%.

We recently wrote about Query Eye as our readers may recall.↩

news

In Japan, Voltage brings Gossip Girl game to iPhone

Yukari Mitsuhashi 2013.10.11

At the recently held Tokyo Game Show 2013, we had a chance to speak with the folks at Voltage, a company specializing in the development of so-called ‘love-sumulation’ apps, We were curious to see that they have also just released Gossip Girl, a Japanese game based on the American hit TV show. Gossip Girl has been available as a mobile social game on the Gree platform since September of 2012, but now the game has gone native and is available for download on the App Store. The game stays true to the show, with familiar characters such as Serena and Blair, as well as new faces original to the app. Users play the role of a transfer student in New York, where they can get involved in school dramas with other kids. Players can also enjoy decorating their avatars with trendy fashion items and simulate the world of Gossip Girl in the app. Voltage, with over 50 published apps, have always developed app stories on their own. However this is their first attempt to collaborate with an existing story, let alone one that is as popular as Gossip Girl. It will be interesting to see if more games like this…

Gossip Girl has been available as a mobile social game on the Gree platform since September of 2012, but now the game has gone native and is available for download on the App Store.

The game stays true to the show, with familiar characters such as Serena and Blair, as well as new faces original to the app. Users play the role of a transfer student in New York, where they can get involved in school dramas with other kids. Players can also enjoy decorating their avatars with trendy fashion items and simulate the world of Gossip Girl in the app.

Voltage, with over 50 published apps, have always developed app stories on their own. However this is their first attempt to collaborate with an existing story, let alone one that is as popular as Gossip Girl. It will be interesting to see if more games like this come from Voltage in the future.

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Japanese startup Tokyo Otaku Mode uses Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in mobile promo

Junya Mori 2013.10.10

See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo Otaku Mode, a curation site focused on the Japanese otaku culture, has partnered with Japanese FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) giant Sunstar on a toothpaste promotion. The promo makes use of special photo frames designed by Japanese pop superstar Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in Otaku Mode’s app Otaku Camera photo app. This is part of international campaign promoting the FMCG’s toothpaste products in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan. The campaign started today in Japan, and will launch in the other three countries on November 1st. As we write this, the special frames are only available when your mobile is set to the Japanese language environment. (It will likely be available for any language setting after November 1st.) When you launch the latest version of the app, there will be a button to choose the frame on the app’s home screen. In addition to a sample frame, 17 other frames will be available when you scan a barcode printed on the product package. To date the startup has collaboratively worked with brands such as All Nippon Airways, Lawson, and smartphone homescreen decoration app Cocoppa in an effort to help Japanese culture reach the global audience. The…

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo Otaku Mode, a curation site focused on the Japanese otaku culture, has partnered with Japanese FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) giant Sunstar on a toothpaste promotion. The promo makes use of special photo frames designed by Japanese pop superstar Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in Otaku Mode’s app Otaku Camera photo app.

This is part of international campaign promoting the FMCG’s toothpaste products in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan. The campaign started today in Japan, and will launch in the other three countries on November 1st.

As we write this, the special frames are only available when your mobile is set to the Japanese language environment. (It will likely be available for any language setting after November 1st.)

When you launch the latest version of the app, there will be a button to choose the frame on the app’s home screen. In addition to a sample frame, 17 other frames will be available when you scan a barcode printed on the product package.

To date the startup has collaboratively worked with brands such as All Nippon Airways, Lawson, and smartphone homescreen decoration app Cocoppa in an effort to help Japanese culture reach the global audience. The app is available via the App Store and Google Play.

news

Japan’s UI Scope planning to expand its usability testing service

Rick Martin 2013.10.10

This is a part of our coverage of B Dash Camp Osaka 2013. One of the four Japanese startups that pitched at B Dash Camp in Osaka was InnoBeta, the creator of UIscope, a service for testing usability of smartphone-based media. The company’s CEO Daisuke Hiraishi explained a little more about their service on Tuesday, and revealed more about their plans moving forward. He highlighted the need for qualitative market research to be brought online, noting that the market size is about $3.3 billion globally [1]. UI Scope matches developers and testers, providing the latter with web cameras to explain and comment on a user interface as they test it out. The result that developers will see is a video and a questionnaire. They have 5000 testers, with each tester costing 3000 yen (about $30), with UI Scope taking 2500 yen and 500 yen going to testers. So far the startup has accumulated over registered 500 clients over 10 months, including the likes of Yahoo, Capcom, GungHo, and many startups [2]. Readers may recall that previously featured InnoBeta back in April when they partnered with Mixi’s Deploygate to create ‘DeployGate Scope’ to help developers crowdsource usability testing, not only for…

This is a part of our coverage of B Dash Camp Osaka 2013.

One of the four Japanese startups that pitched at B Dash Camp in Osaka was InnoBeta, the creator of UIscope, a service for testing usability of smartphone-based media.

The company’s CEO Daisuke Hiraishi explained a little more about their service on Tuesday, and revealed more about their plans moving forward. He highlighted the need for qualitative market research to be brought online, noting that the market size is about $3.3 billion globally [1].

UI Scope matches developers and testers, providing the latter with web cameras to explain and comment on a user interface as they test it out. The result that developers will see is a video and a questionnaire. They have 5000 testers, with each tester costing 3000 yen (about $30), with UI Scope taking 2500 yen and 500 yen going to testers. So far the startup has accumulated over registered 500 clients over 10 months, including the likes of Yahoo, Capcom, GungHo, and many startups [2].

Readers may recall that previously featured InnoBeta back in April when they partnered with Mixi’s Deploygate to create ‘DeployGate Scope’ to help developers crowdsource usability testing, not only for live apps, but also for prototypes still in development.

So what does the future look like for UI Scope? Hiraishi pointed to three strategies in particular:

Global expansion, starting with Korea where they will provide testing for 30 different apps. They are also planning China expansion as well. Local partners will help them bring in new testers.
Expand testing methods: Interview and group discussion can be done online as well.
Currently they focus mobile but they can also test things like hardware or even consumer products such as shampoo.

Hiraishi closed his pitch by predicting that his company will be the number one online qualitative research company in the world. That’s certainly a lofty goal, but their first few steps have been promising.

In online quantitative research, they point out Macromill and Survey Monkey as existing market solutions. ↩
I wonder if a corporate testing plan, or some sort of premium offerings, might be a way to increase their revenue. ↩

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Capitalizing on culture: Can new $60M fund help make Kyoto an innovation center?

Rick Martin 2013.10.09

As we return from our trip down to Osaka for B Dash Camp, there’s more news emerging from Western Japan, this time from Kyoto. A new venture fund of $60 million was officially announced today, initiated by Kyoto University with the goal of supporting entrepreneurial activity from that university and the Kyoto area. The sectors of focus for the fund will be information/communication technology, life science and biotech, agricultural food, and environment and energy. Kyoto University has designated the newly formed Miyako Capital to manage the fund. I recently had a chance to speak with Hiroaki Okahashi (managing partner) and Kenshin Fujiwara (partner) to learn more about this initiative. Their team will also include director Norihiko Ishihara, and the president of the company will be Satoshi Yamaguchi, who brings much cross-border experience from his years at JAFCO. Unlike many VCs with primarily a finance background, many on the Miyako Capital team have experience starting and managing companies, which they see as a big differentiation with other VCs. A Cultural Edge Kyoto is typically known as a prime sight-seeing spot, rich in history, with a unique aesthetic, and a zen atmosphere. Okahashi explains that he’s very interested in Western Japan, in…

Miyako Capital's Kenshin Fujiwara, Hiroaki Okahashi — Miyako Capital’s Kenshin Fujiwara, Hiroaki Okahashi

Kyoto University has designated the newly formed Miyako Capital to manage the fund. I recently had a chance to speak with Hiroaki Okahashi (managing partner) and Kenshin Fujiwara (partner) to learn more about this initiative.

Their team will also include director Norihiko Ishihara, and the president of the company will be Satoshi Yamaguchi, who brings much cross-border experience from his years at JAFCO. Unlike many VCs with primarily a finance background, many on the Miyako Capital team have experience starting and managing companies, which they see as a big differentiation with other VCs.

A Cultural Edge

Kyoto is typically known as a prime sight-seeing spot, rich in history, with a unique aesthetic, and a zen atmosphere. Okahashi explains that he’s very interested in Western Japan, in particularly Kyoto, where famous technology innovators like Steve Jobs and Larry Ellison have sought and found inspiration. He adds that the city’s cultural edge helps “give it the potential to be a center of innovation,” a place where cultural authenticity and new business ideas can merge.

Kyoto's Kinkakuji, or Golden Pavillion, one of many cultural attractions — Kyoto’s Kinkakuji, or Golden Pavillion

Of course, the image of an industrial East (Tokyo) contrasted with a creative-minded West sort of brings to mind the dichotomy that exists in the US.

Kyoto, of course, has a long way to go, but Kyoto University is renowned for its advanced research, even beyond Japan’s borders. Okahashi says that while Miyako Capital’s first few investments will likely be from Kyoto University (or some Kyoto entrepreneurs), they will not limit their investment criteria domestically:

If there are any companies that might represent synergies by adding the Kyoto brand or Kyoto University technology, we are willing to invest in technologies outside Japan.

He adds that there are many potential investors to this fund, like manufacturers looking for new technologies and businesses, lacking the experience to invest or source such businesses. Miyako Capital will aspire to fill that gap for them, given that they have access to IP derived and accumulated at Kyoto University.

In the technology world these days, Kyoto is perhaps best known as the home of giant companies like Nintendo and Kyocera. But it is also the home of internet company Hatena, which has a new office in Tokyo leading to its expected IPO coming soon [1]. Fujiwara says that that’s the kind of movement that they’d definitely like to see more Kyoto companies follow. When I inquired about promising Kyoto startups these days, both he and Okahashi pointed to Nota, whose Gyazo screenshot service is currently seeing heavy use by many here in Japan.

Both Okahashi and Fujiwara say they would like to see more entrepreneurs coming to Kyoto as well, and I really don’t think that’s a very difficult sell. Kyoto is a pretty incredible place, and I think given the chance, entrepreneurs the world over would love a chance to spend some time there. Hopefully this new fund can be a catalyst for more interest in the city — via Kyoto University — from both here in Japan as well as abroad.

Coincidentally, we had a chance to hear Nintendo president Satoru Iwata speak earlier this week in Osaka. You can read all about that here. My personal favorite Kyoto company right now is game developer Ponos. Their Battle Cats game is incredible. We’re also big fans of QOOQ and its Yesterscape app. ↩

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Japanese fish delivery startup making waves, raises $1.5 million

Masaru Ikeda 2013.10.09

See the original story in Japanese. Tokyo-based Hachimenroppi (named after the eight faces and six arms seen on many Buddhist statues) is a startup that does something rather unusual. It delivers fish, handling distribution services for restaurants. And apparently that business has some serious potential, as the company announced recently that it has raised 150 million yen (approximately $1.5 million) from VC firm Value Create, PR agency Vector, and logistics company Winroader. The startup’s founder and CEO Masanari Matsuda has had a unique career since he started working in the banking industry, moving on to a VC firm, and then launching two companies prior to this one. He launched this startup back in September of 2010 when he thought there was great potential in evolving fish distribution. The company buys fish from markets and brokers across the country and delivers it to Japanese izakaya restaurants or diners, according to their specific needs. The fish products industry in Japan has an annual volume of 3 trillion yen ($30.9 billion), and the startup expects to meet the demands of 300 billion yen ($3.09 billion) by the year of 2020, accounting for a 10% market share. Every single restraurant has a different need…

See the original story in Japanese.

Tokyo-based Hachimenroppi (named after the eight faces and six arms seen on many Buddhist statues) is a startup that does something rather unusual. It delivers fish, handling distribution services for restaurants. And apparently that business has some serious potential, as the company announced recently that it has raised 150 million yen (approximately $1.5 million) from VC firm Value Create, PR agency Vector, and logistics company Winroader.

The startup’s founder and CEO Masanari Matsuda has had a unique career since he started working in the banking industry, moving on to a VC firm, and then launching two companies prior to this one. He launched this startup back in September of 2010 when he thought there was great potential in evolving fish distribution.

The company buys fish from markets and brokers across the country and delivers it to Japanese izakaya restaurants or diners, according to their specific needs. The fish products industry in Japan has an annual volume of 3 trillion yen ($30.9 billion), and the startup expects to meet the demands of 300 billion yen ($3.09 billion) by the year of 2020, accounting for a 10% market share.

Every single restraurant has a different need regarding what kind of fish or how many fish are needed day to day. On the other hand, what fish are available very much depends on changing [environmental] conditions. So matching the needs of restaurants with supplies from the market can be compared to doing a huge jigsaw puzzle. We facilitate this by making the most of digital technologies.

From an outsider’s perspective, the fish distribution business is fiercely competitive because of the abundance of Japanese izakaya restaurant chains. But according to Matsuda, this intense competition is happening only in the area inside Tokyo’s Yamanote loopline (the center of Tokyo), and the whole distribution system works based on supply in the rest of the country. He added:

When we get an order from restaurants, we’ll not be able to refuse their orders because there was a poor catch. A direct delivery from ports is good in providing fresh fish to restaurants, but it’s not good at all times because a poor catch directly results in unavailable dishes on their menus. We can understand the needs of restaurants and propose alternative options to them. This is our value.

Hachimenroppi’s app for restaurant chefs and cooks

In order to do this the startup’s employees periodically visit restaurants/clients to establish better communications with their chefs. Interestingly, no specific personnel is assigned to each client, but any updates about restaurants collected by the employees are shared within their startup using Evernote. This means that any of their employees can visit clients, translating into greater potential for their business scalability.

Matsuda thinks that delivering top quality fish to consumers is their duty. With these new funds raised, they plan to develop a system that proposes fish recipes to chefs or cooks using smart tablets.

Instead of removing middlemen from the distribution process, which typical discount retailers often do, the company attempts to evolve the entire industry using digital solutions. If their service helps consumers eat better quality fish and if it helps fishermen earn more, it should certainly boost the fishing industry as a whole.

Similar to Hachimenroppi, we’ve seen more than a few Japanese startups trying to evolve conventional businesses using digital technologies, including Raksul (printing) and LeNet (laundry). We’ll feature a more comprehensive list of such startups soon, so stay tuned!