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Google Launches .みんな Domain in Japan
23 January 2014
Google has launched the .みんな domain as an alternative online address for Japanese – and, we would suppose, Japanophiles. The domain – pronounced mee-na and spelled “minna” in Roman letters – means “everybody” in Japanese.
In a January 16, 2014, announcement Google said: "We hope that .みんな will make it easier for Japanese people and companies to create more recognizable website names that better suit their businesses or personalities and are easier to understand and remember in Japanese. ‘みんな’ means 'everyone' in Japanese and suggests multiple people doing things together.”
The announcement noted that Google’s vision “is for .みんな to be a collaborative space, where folks can build online communities — something along the lines of 'Cook, everybody!' or 'Run, everybody!' But that’s just a thought. We can’t wait to see what new ideas the new domain will help make possible."
Users can use a Google partner registrar to register for a .みんな domain name. Applications are only open to trademark holders at the moment, but are scheduled to open to everyone in February.
Google has also released a video (Japanese only) explaining the differences between the .com, .jp and .みんな domains to consumers.
