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Press Release: 2001

Press Release

July 31, 2001
Japan Registry Services, Co., Ltd. (JPRS)

JPRS announces a new service for browsing Japanese JP domain names - Japanese JP domain names become accessible through Internet Explorer -

Japan Registry Services, Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President Koki Higashida), a company for registering JP domain names, today announced that it is planning to launch a resolution service which enables users of Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later (hereafter "IE") to reach web pages having Japanese JP domain names on August 27. This service uses technology developed and operated by RealNames Corporation (Redwood City California, CEO & President Keith Teare). JPRS will provide this browsing service without fee.

JPRS and RealNames have begun to cooperate on implementing the service. With this service, Internet users can access web sites simply by entering a Japanese JP domain name in the address bar of IE without plug-ins or special client software. The underlying technology automatically encodes an input Japanese JP domain name to an ASCII compatible string, which is ordinarily used as a domain name, and then accesses the web page designated by the result string.

In February 2001, JPRS launched its registration service for general-use JP domain names, consisting of ASCII strings and Japanese strings, which are short and easily remembered and also a single registrant can register as many of them as desired. Considering that nearly 40% of registrations were for Japanese domain names, JPRS decided to launch this resolution service in order to satisfy the needs of registrants and users. This service will drive the use of general-use JP domain name space, which is reliable and has very few chances of dispute.

The encoding algorithm used in resolving international domain names is now being standardized in IETF. JPRS now uses an algorithm called RACE, which was proposed in the standardization process. Once such an algorithm has been standardized, JPRS intends to follow the standardized technology that the RealNames mechanism as well as various client applications will employ.

JPRS is now promoting standardization in IETF and preparing the Japanese domain name environment, and in this context serves as a founding member of the Japanese Domain Names Association (JDNA). In parallel with the activities in JDNA, JPRS decided to provide this resolution service to bridge the gap between the current situation and the full environment for Japanese JP domain names in the future.

* Specifications and restrictions of the service is being developed.
* JPRS will follow the result of the IETF standardization process, which may result in an algorithm other than RACE.
* Details of this service are subject to change.
* Browsing using this service from IE is free of charge.


Japan Registry Services Co., Ltd.
Japan Registry Services Co., Ltd. (JPRS) was incorporated on December 26,2000, to administer JP domain name registration and management, and to operate the domain name system. JPRS carries out registration and administration of JP domain names in a fair and neutral manner. Its mission is to contribute to the development of the Internet by increasing the reliability, usability, stability and fair pricing of JP domain names.


RealNames Corporation
RealNames Corporation is a global infrastructure provider of Keywords, a superior Web naming and navigation platform that improves on the existing Domain Names System. The RealNames Keyword system has been integrated into Microsoft Internet Explorer browser software and is available for integration into the OpenwaveTM Mobile Access Gateway, as well as in leading search and portal sites.


JPRS Contacts
Corporate Planning Office
e-mail: press@jprs.jp
URL: http://jprs.jp/

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