.yodobashi

Status:	Proposed
Registry Provider:	Verisign
Type:	Brand TLD
More information:

.yodobashi is a Brand TLD being proposed in ICANN's New gTLD Program. The applicant is YODOBASHI CAMERA CO., LTD.

Application Details

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

"The new .yodobashi gTLD will operate as a restricted registry, in which YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD., (Yodobashi) can create and control domain spaces within .yodobashi that promote its brand identity and authenticity. In this regard, the .yodobashi gTLD will be used by Yodobashi to provide information, services and resources regarding its electronics products to consumers in a way that promotes trust, convenience and utility. The .yodobashi gTLD will provide an authoritative internet space for Yodobashi and its affiliates that are associated with the Yodobashi brand. Second and third level domain names can then be utilized for communication and marketing purposes, with internet users assured of brand authenticity.

Yodobashi is a Japanese retail group that sells a large range (over 850,000 different items) of electronics goods including cameras, personal computers, audio and visual equipment, appliances and software. Yodobashi, based in Tokyo, was founded in 1960 as Fujisawa Shashin Shokai and changed its name to YODOBASHI CAMERA CO.,LTD. in 1974. Yodobashi opened its first store in Tokyo in 1975 and currently owns 21 super-sized electronic retail stores throughout Japan with approximately 4,800 employees. Since 1998, Yodobashi has also operated a large online shopping site with over 10 million customers visiting the website on daily basis with excellent customer satisfaction rating. In 2011, Yodobashi was the 12th largest company in terms of its sales volume in the Japanese retail industry with its net profits of 61 billion yen in 2011. In addition to promoting Yodobashi as a leading edge brand proactively engaging in new technology, the new .yodobashi gTLD will provide an intuitive access point for customers to obtain information and services and securely shop online. In this regard, consumer trust, utility and continuous innovation are paramount considerations in all its activities."