April 11, 2007
- JWord
April 11, 2007
Press Release
JWord Inc.
Now Over 40 million JWord Plugin Users!
JWord installed on over half of all computers in Japan
Tokyo – April 11, 2007 – GMO Internet Group company JWord, the company that operates the Japanese keyword search service of the same name has experienced strong growth in user numbers ever since it was first launched in May 2002. On April 4 this year, the number of JWord plug-in users surpassed 40 million. The JWord user environment is continually expanding and over 12,000* companies are now JWord registration clients.
One of the reasons for the growing number of users is the range of channels through which the service is distributed. In addition to being available for download at a wide range of sites on the Internet, partnerships with a number of personal computer makers have increased the number of computers being shipped with JWord pre-installed and the JWord plug-in is also included with a number of popular software applications. We are proud to have one of the most widely distributed free plugins in Japan.
In addition to being able to conduct a search from the address bar in Japanese, Internet users can find JWord keywords denoted by a red J symbol in the search results of major search portal sites including Yahoo! JAPAN and this has helped to build recognition of JWord.
JWord’s main business is the sale of Japanese search keywords. Currently there are around 19,000 active JWord keywords registered by approximately 12,000 companies. Corporate clients that purchase keyword registration of their company or service name have a promotional tool in their media mix that they can use to guide customers to their website from newspaper advertisements and other forms of media as well as to attract more customers to their website in general. In recent years use of the Internet as an advertising medium has been increasing and the increase in JWord use can be linked to the growing role keyword search type advertising is playing within that medium as well as the increasing use of a media mix that aims to guide users from other forms of media to a company website.
JWord is continually working to provide a convenient Internet service to all its users. We will continue to make improvements to the service and provide an easier to use more enjoyable JWord through which all users regardless of age or Internet experience can easily gain access to information over the Internet.
JWord
JWord Inc. receives funding from GMO Internet and Yahoo Japan Corporation. JWord is a simple and convenient Internet search service that allows users to conduct a search by entering a company name, product name or other word in Japanese directly into their browser’s address bar. The JWord plug-in has been installed by more than 40 million users (according to our own estimates, 4/2007) on over half of all computers in Japan.
JWord also has partnerships with a number of major portal services including Yahoo! JAPAN, BIGLOBE and Excite. Easy to read symbols like the red J symbol displayed in the search results make it easy for users to access official sites and information related to their keyword. JWord is currently used by over 76%* of all search engine users in Japan (including portal networks).
Media Inquiries
JWord Inc. Public Relations
E-mail: [email protected]
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mail: [email protected]
The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We provide web hosting, e-commerce tools, domain registration, Internet advertising, online securities trading and a host of other services to over 22 million individual and 550 000 corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.
JWord Inc.
Company Name | JWord Inc. http://www.jword.jp/ |
Address | Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN |
CEO | Hideki Kokaji |
Business Description | ■JWord (Japanese search keywords) ■Technology license business |
Capital | ￥233,500,000 (including \95.63 million additional paid-in capital) |
GMO Internet Inc.
Company Name | GMO Internet Inc. http://www.gmo.jp/en (TSE First Section Code: 9449) |
Address | Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN |
CEO | Masatoshi Kumagai |
Business Description | ■Internet Use Support (Infrastructure) ■Internet Advertising Support (Media) ■Internet Finance |
Capital | ￥7,148,290,000 |
* According to JWord calculations
* Source: Household access in November 2006, NetView AMS JP, Nielsen/NetRatings