The First and Biggest Q&A Site in Japan

OKWave

When you want to know something, what do you do? Have you ever had the experience of becoming confused by an overload of information after searching for something on the Internet? In such case OKWave’s Q&A site is very useful. Anyone can easily take advantage of the site for any problem, ranging from small matters to life counseling. Since it was launched in 2000 they are proud to have had 1.15 million registered members and more than 15.5 million inquiries/answers.

CEO, KANEMOTO Kaneto, is a third-generation Korean with Japanese nationality. He was weak as a child, frequently being hospitalized. In the 1970s all foreign residents in Japan had to register their fingerprints. One day he was seen by a friend when he was resisting doing it at the local ward office and from then he began to be bullied. As a result, he suffered from autonomic ataxia. After graduating from university he took an active role in a design group while working; however, the group was broken up. He has also experienced being homeless.

It was when he wrote a question in a bulletin board that he not only couldn’t get any answer, but he also was scolded for his incorrect style of questionining. He was disgusted, and he made up his mind to launch a site where anyone could write questions and answers. So OKWave was born.

OKWave is rents databases and systems to companies. “Teach me! goo” is one of them. Furthermore, the FAQ that are often seen in other companies’ sites use their systems. OKWave is now receiving substantial positive feedback saying that although page-viewers are increasing, inquiries to support centers are decreasing.

In 2004, one man wrote on the site: “This week my wife will have an affair. I’m planning to venture into the hotel and bring it to an end. Is this the proper way?” To this question more than 100 answers were received and subsequently it became a book. Later, it is said that he said “I was reborn on this site.”

In 2005, OKWave was given the Good Design Award for their easy-to-use software. In 2007, they set up the site OKWorld for foreign residents in Japan in English, Chinese and Korean. Its “Information” content is full of basic information useful for living in Japan. Various questions including “Where can I buy a Japanese-English bilingual Bible?”, “Please advise me how to dispose of garbage” and “What should I be careful about when preparing meals when inviting a guest from Indonesia?” are asked and answered every day.

“We are very glad to have letters telling us that their problem is solved, or that they are relieved,” says Mr. TAKEMURA Taro, the man in charge of OKWorld. In April 2008, they started an English version of the service from a subsidiary company in the U.S.A. It is their aim that to offer Q&A solutions to 100 countries and in 10 languages by 2020.

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