Core Viewpoint - Yahoo Japan has thrived in the Japanese market while its parent company Yahoo has struggled in the U.S. market, showcasing the importance of localization and innovation in international business operations [1][30]. Group 1: Yahoo Japan's Market Position - Yahoo Japan was the first stock in Japan to exceed a market value of 1 trillion yen, achieving a market cap of 1,014 million yen on January 19, 2000 [8]. - At its peak in 2004, Yahoo Japan's market value surpassed $50 billion, while Yahoo's market value was only $33 billion [9]. - Yahoo Japan's profit growth from 1999 to 2004 was 60%, compared to only 14% for Yahoo globally during the same period [10]. Group 2: Yahoo Japan's Business Operations - Yahoo Japan is the largest portal website in Japan and ranked third globally outside the U.S. in terms of website traffic [13]. - As of early 2019, over 80% of Japan's 32 million internet users regularly visited Yahoo Japan, which holds a 24.03% market share in the Japanese search engine market [17]. - Yahoo Japan is also the largest online auction platform in Japan, competing with Amazon and Rakuten in the online retail market [18][19]. Group 3: Factors Contributing to Success - Yahoo Japan's success is attributed to its thorough localization, with operations managed by a local team that understands the Japanese market [30][31]. - The unique ownership structure, with SoftBank as the major shareholder, allows Yahoo Japan to operate independently from its U.S. parent company [32][33]. - Continuous innovation tailored to the Japanese market has allowed Yahoo Japan to expand its services beyond search engines and portals, including online auctions and travel services [36][38]. Group 4: Cultural Factors - Japanese consumers tend to be conservative and loyal to established products, which has helped Yahoo Japan maintain its market dominance [40][41]. - The company's early entry into the market and the introduction of various services have solidified its position, making it difficult for new competitors to gain traction [41].