Report

PSA Internet: Revisiting Japan’s Internet Pioneers?

Pelham Smithers muses whether it is time to reappraise Japan’s internet pioneers.
Underlyings
CyberAgent Inc.

CyberAgent is an information technology company. Media segment is engaged in the operation of internet TV station "AbemaTV," free live streaming programs without subscription "FRESH!," blog service "Ameba," matching services "Tapple" and music streaming service "AWA." Game segment offers a variety of games for smartphones such as "GRANBLUE FANTASY." Internet Advertisement segment is engaged in the provision of internet advertising agency services. Investment Development is engaged in the corporate venture capital business, as well as the establishment and operation of investment fund. Others segment is engaged in the operation of smartphone media.

DeNA Co. Ltd.

DeNA is engaged in the developing and operation of a wide range of mobile and online services including e-commerce, games and entertainment contents distribution. Co. operates in four business segments. Gaming business is engaged in the developing, operating and marketing mobile games. Co.'s principal "Mobage" social game platform in Japan hosts a wide range of free-to-play mobile games. E-commerce business is engaged in the e-commerce related services including "DeNa SHOPPING." Sports business owns and operates a professional baseball team "Yokohama DeNA BayStars" and operates Yokohama stadium. New business/others business is engaged in the operation of curation platform.

Kakaku.com Inc.

Kakaku.com is engaged in the operation of price comparison and other portal websites. Internet Media segment operates a price comparison site "Kakaku.com"comparing various products including computers, home appliances, internet service providers, insurance, food/beverages and cosmetics, restaurant review site "tabelog.com" and other portal sites including a hotel deals and last minute deals site "yoyaq.com," travel-related review and comparison site "4travel.jp," residential real estate portal site "sumaity.com," lifestyle portal site "kinarino.jp," movie information site "eiga.com"and auto enthusiast site "webCG." Finance segment is engaged in the provision of insurance agency services.

M3 Inc.

M3 is mainly engaged in the operation of medical-related Internet websites "MR-kun" and "m3.com" for health-care professional. Along with its affiliates, Co. operates in five business segments. Co. is engaged in the development and provision of marketing support services to medical professional, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment companies and consumers; the provision of support services utilizing Co.'s support management system called "CapTool" for clinical researches; the provision of sales, marketing and support services as well as research services in overseas; and the development, sale and support of electronic health record system; and the consignment of sales and marketing.

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

MonotaRO is mainly engaged in the sale of factory materials to small and medium domestic manufacturing companies through the Internet. Co. offers factory supplies and factory replacement parts, which include solder-related products, electric powered and pneumatic pressure tools, spray oil grease, glasses, cutting tools, painting products, antistatic cleaning room products, adhesives and gloves, packing products, electrical materials, machinery parts, hydraulic pressure equipment, screws and bolts, compressors, casters, truck products, pumps and control equipment and others. Co. also provides batteries, lightings, toners, work suit, office and computer equipment, and laboratory instruments.

Rakuten Inc.

Rakuten is mainly engaged in the Internet-related business. Along with its affiliates, Co. operates in two business segments. The Internet Services segment is engaged in the operation of electronic commerce sites, including an Internet shopping mall "Rakuten Ichiba," an online cash back site, a travel booking site, portal sites and digital contents sites; the sale of advertising on Co.'s sites; the provision of messaging and communication services; and the management of a professional baseball team "Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles." FinTech segment is engaged in the provision of Internet banking services and online securities trading services, and the credit card and life insurance businesses.

Provider
Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd
Pelham Smithers Associates Ltd

Founded in 2009, Pelham Smithers Associates (PSA) provides market intelligence on Asian technology, focusing in particular on Japan. The industries covered by our team of specialists are: consumer electronics, telecomms, pharmaceuticals, internet, electronic parts and materials, automotive technology, retail and capital goods. 

PSA produces both company and sector reports. The focus of PSA’s research is to identify winners and losers as new technologies impact the top and bottom lines of corporations. Critical to our research is the clear explanation of how these new technologies work and how they impact companies and industries. 

The founding partners have worked closely together for twenty years and the team has more than doubled in size since 2012. 

Analysts
Pelham Smithers

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