.yokohama

Status:	Delegated
Country:	Japan
Manager:	Yokohama City
Registry Provider:	GMO Registry
Date Implemented:	03 April 2014
Type:	GeoTLD
Key people:	Masatoshi Kumagai, CEO of GMO Registry
More information:

.yokohama is a delegated GeoTLD in ICANN's new gTLD expansion program. The proposed application succeeded and was delegated to the Root Zone on 03 April 2014.

Yokohama City selected GMO Registry to serve as the registry operator of the .yokohama string after evaluating the company's business plan to develop the TLD in accordance with relevant laws, registration and operational policy, service, content, and vision. GMO Registry was responsible for preparing and submitting the application for TLD with ICANN as well as run the eventual registry and develop a marketing strategy to establish the .yokohama brand locally and internationally.

GMO Registry is based in Tokyo, Japan and it is a subsidiary of GMO Internet Group. The company was established in 2009 to provide registry services and marketing solutions for entities interested in managing new gTLDs.

Application Details

The following is excerpted from the applicant's response to question #18:

"[Brief Introduction of Yokohama City] Yokohama is the capital city of the Kanagawa Prefecture, which is located on the main island of Japan. The population is approximately 3,689,000 as of March 2012 and it is the second largest city in Japan. It has a strong economic base such as shipping, biotechnology, and semiconductor industries. The city is known as an origin of diplomatic relations and cultural enlightenment, and it is a popular tourist destination offering traditional and modern culture, history, sports, arts, architectures, and foods of Japan.

[Mission and Purpose] The mission and purpose of .yokohama are as follows: - To establish an online presence for City of Yokohama; - To provide a better, easy, secure, and meaningful name space for communication; and - To contribute to the development of City of Yokohama.

The Applicant strongly believes that it is important to extend the global reach and mindshare of .yokohama domain names in order to achieve the stated mission and purpose. Therefore, second level domain names under the TLD are open for registration to everyone. The Applicant will strive to maintain industry leading service levels, innovate and deliver a superior user experience associated with the TLD, bringing benefits to City of Yokohama, registrants, and Internet users."

Contract Signed

On 12 December 2013 GMO Registry received a Registry Agreement signed by ICANN for .yokohama after passing all the required processes needed to become a Registry Operator for the string.

Delegation and Availability

.yokohama was delegated to the Root Zone of the DNS on 03 April, 2014, completing the successful application for the string.

Top-Level Domain