National Geographic Launches Web Site in Japan

Japanese Speakers Can Access NationalGeographic.com’s Award-Winning Photos, Videos, Animals and Environmental Content along with Localized News and Events

National Geographic Ventures, in partnership with Broadmedia Corporation, announces the launch of the Japanese-language version of National Geographic’s award-winning Web site, http://www.nationalgeographic.co.jp/, a new local-language portal from National Geographic Digital Media. Japanese speakers can explore the world of NationalGeographic.com — winner of five 2008 Codie Awards — and enjoy world-renowned photos, videos, articles and information in their native language.

“The launch of this Japanese-language site continues National Geographic’s commitment to and success in extending its brand globally through a localized focus. We hope to make the Web site a vital destination for the Japanese market, which will further spread our mission of inspiring people to care about the planet,” said Ted Prince, COO, National Geographic Ventures.

The site features content from NationalGeographic.com’s most popular content categories, including photo galleries and videos, as well as localized news and events impacting the Japanese audience. Categories include Environment and Nature, which highlights environmental issues; People and Places, which features countries and cultures from around the globe; Animals, which offers an up-close exploration of animals, from insects to mammals, and their habitats; and News, a daily, updated source of articles from around the world, including announcements or discoveries related to such topics as environment, nature, culture and science.

“Working with National Geographic has provided inspiration and a superb Web destination for exploring culture and science online,” said Taro Hashimoto, CEO of Broadmedia Corporation. “We fully support National Geographic’s mission, and hope that the launch of the Web site will encourage learning and cultivate enthusiasm for the environment and the world we live in.”

With more than 3,000 pages of continuously updated content, the site launches with nearly 200 videos dubbed in Japanese and more than 1,200 photos from some of the world’s top photographers — all free for users to enjoy.

In Japan, National Geographic magazine is published in Japanese through a joint venture with Nikkei BP, and the National Geographic Channel is offered through a partnership with News Broadcasting Japan Corporation.

About National Geographic

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, published in English and 31 local-language editions, is read by more than 40 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches over 250 million households in 34 languages in 166 countries. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 12 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 8,800 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

About National Geographic Ventures

National Geographic Ventures is the taxable subsidiary of the National Geographic Society and includes groups such as National Geographic Television, National Geographic Digital Media, which operates NationalGeographic.com, and National Geographic Maps.

About Broadmedia Corporation

As a content distributor with its own technology platforms, Broadmedia provides content from domestic and foreign content holders to a full line of media including terrestrial, cable and satellite TV, theatrical, broadband Internet, mobile and DVD. Also, through proprietary technology platforms, Broadmedia provides content delivery services ideal for broadband, and also sells broadband and mobile connectivity to further the spread of content services. For more information, please go to www.broadmedia.co.jp.
Contacts

mPRm
Dana Block, 323-933-3399
dblock {at} mprm(.)com
or
National Geographic
Ellen Stanley, 202-775-6755
estanley {at} ngs(.)org