Yahoo Japan taps Manabu Miyasaka, 44, to become new CEO on April 1st – “smartphones is our priority” Yah! http://bit.ly/IpC9nk

This move has clearly been in motion for some time – great to see some fresh blood stepping forward! [Eds]

Yahoo Japan to Speed Up Development of Smartphone Apps

Yahoo Japan Corp. (4689), operator of the country’s most-visited web portal, said it plans to accelerate development of mobile-device applications as the number of smartphone users rises.

“The one thing I’ve decided is to make smartphones our priority,” Manabu Miyasaka, 44, who will become chief executive officer of Yahoo Japan on April 1, said in an interview in Tokyo yesterday. “That market will grow much faster than the personal-computer market.”

Miyasaka is replacing Masahiro Inoue, 55, as part of a management overhaul that includes creating a new position to oversee smartphone services. Shin Murakami, 35, will be chief mobile officer from April, while Toshiki Ohya, 42, has been named chief financial officer.. Continue >>

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1. Capcom Social Gaming for Smartphones
2. Japan Smartphones Show-down
3. Yahoo! App for Android in Japan
4. Yahoo! Market Android App Pre-Install
5. Yahoo Japan Branded Phone

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!