Internet
ò Yahoo Japan posted a 22.1 percent growth in net profit to Ñ13.6 billion ($114.4 million) for the three months to September on revenues, which rose 24.5 percent from a year earlier to Ñ51.2 billion ($435.3 million). The firm said its operating profits went up by 31.5 percent to Ñ25 billion ($212.5 million). Yahoo Japan Corp is 41.1 percent owned by internet conglomerate Softbank Corp and 33.4 percent by Yahoo Inc. of the U.S. Its advertising sales rose 35.9 percent from a year earlier, which was a slight 0.3 percent rise from the first quarter to June.
Mobile/Wireless
ò After claiming that intense competition in JapanÆs mobile phone market would have a strong impact on its profits, NTT DoCoMo posted a 19.6 percent decline in its net profit to Ñ309.8 billion ($2.6 billion) in the six months to September compared with a year earlier. The company said its operating profit went down by 7.4 percent to Ñ516.8 billion ($4.3 billion) as revenues posted a 0.4 percent growth to Ñ2.3 trillion ($19.5 billion), the latter ascribed to the introduction of new handsets with credit card functions and built-in music players. DoCoMo said it looks to a full-year net profit of Ñ488 billion ($4.1 billion), down 20.1 percent from a year earlier, on revenues of about Ñ4.8 trillion ($40.8 billion), up 0.7 percent. In a separate development, Softbank Corp announced an aggressive discount package, a move that analysts see as its attempt to catch up with larger rivals NTT DoCoMo and KDDI.
Media, Entertainment and Gaming
ò TBS Radio & Communications announced plans to create a new radio channel concentrated on classic music broadcasts next spring using digital technology enabling high-quality sound transmission. A top company official expressed that the new service will be aimed at ôadults living in the urban areaö as its main listener base, while using the digital radio broadcasting technology it is testing in Tokyo. At present, Japan Broadcasting Corp., known as NHK, Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co., known as FM Tokyo, and other broadcasters are testing the high-sound quality digital radio technology in Tokyo and Osaka. FM Tokyo earlier said it is preparing to create its own digital radio channel next spring. The would-be broadcasters of digital programs are planning to triple the output power of radio transmitters shortly. Multiple electronics manufacturers are to release receivers compatible with the digital technology shortly.
ò Apple disclosed that it has reached an agreement with BMG Japan, which allows the latterÆs catalog of leading Japanese and international artists to be made available by way of iTunes Japan. Industry observers note that the move follows several months of tension between Apple and some Japanese labels, and indicates a great change in the atmosphere in Japan's digital music market. iTunes Store Japan currently offers over two million songs, 3,500 music videos, Disney and Pixar short films, 65,000 podcasts and 16,000 audiobooks.
ò The survey conducted by the Development Bank of Japan revealed that the total net profit of major Japanese cable TV broadcasters for fiscal 2005 went up by Ñ5.2 billion ($44.2 million) from the previous year to Ñ26.5 billion ($225.3 million), a record high since the survey started in fiscal 2000. The broadcasters' total net earnings showed a profit for the fourth straight year and total operating revenues also hit an all-time high of Ñ456.7 billion ($3.8 billion), up Ñ51.4 billion. The bank surveyed 182 client CATV firms out of about 300 such firms nationwide. The bank attributed the good showings to increased revenues for the telecommunications business including broadband net access via TV cables. Business observers stated that cable TV stations in Japan, many of which are community-based and small-to-medium sized, had experienced from deficits incurred by equipment investment. The survey, according to analysts, shows that their profits have stabilized with the penetration of high-speed networks.
ò Nintendo Co. posted a 72 percent growth in fiscal second-quarter profit on sales of the portable DS and the latest ôSuper Marioö software title. The firm said its net income went up to Ñ38.8 billion ($327 million) in the three months ended Sept. 30 from a year earlier, in line with the preliminary earnings statement released on Oct. 3. Nintendo also raised its shipment forecast for the touch-screen DS player and game titles this fiscal year. The popularity of the device, which can be used to play Nintendogs, an interactive pet game, and brainteasers, helped the company fend off competition from Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Portable. Nintendo said its sales registered a 59 percent rise to Ñ167.9 billion ($1.4 billion) in the quarter, with its operating profits more than doubled to Ñ38.3 billion ($325.6 million). Regarding its DS Shipments, Nintendo said it is looking to ship 20 million DS players this fiscal year, up from its previous projection of 17 million.
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