NEC Joins eBay for Japan Venture

NEC Thursday joined eBay in its Japan venture, an alliance that
eBay expects to boost its market entrance.

Under the terms of the deal, NEC (NIPNY) will take a stake in eBay Japan,
reportedly a holding of up to 30 percent, in addition to contributing
resources from its ISP, BIGLOBE, and other marketing and promotion
considerations.

The eBay Japan site, which has been accessible from the main eBay site for
several weeks, is expected to debut in full within the next few weeks.
Currency, language and site categories will all be tailored for the Japanese
market.

The Japan venture also introduced its new chief executive officer, Merle
Okawara, who was previously the chairman and
president of JC Foods Ltd.

“Our work with eBay will help bring the excitement of the online auction
format to Japan and create a new
marketplace for trading virtually anything,” said Eiichi Yoshikawa,
executive vice president at NEC.

eBay’s (EBAY)
international strategy has already moved to include local versions for
Canada, Australia, Germany and the U.K.

Earlier this month eBay set up a separate initiative for the Asian audience,
launching a Chinatown section to promote online trades.