ASIA / PACIFIC August 1, 2016 Pokémon Go finally arrives in Japan THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Albina Community Bank By Ken Moritsugu and Satoshi Sugiyama “The best way to help represent the bank is to be involved with the community. Give me a call to learn more!” The Associated Press OKYO — The wait is finally over for Pokémon Go fans in Japan. Players began tweeting about it as soon as it was available July 22, and the Pokémon Co. and the developer of the augmented-reality game, U.S.- based Niantic Inc., confirmed its launch. Pokémon Go is a huge hit in Japan, the country of the character’s birth. Fans had been eagerly awaiting its release since it first came out in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, and then spread to become a blockbuster hit in more than 20 countries. “The best part is that I just got the first three (characters), I felt like, ‘Yes!’” university student Shuta Saito said in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, a popular spot for fans of animation and games. One of the Japanese creators of the game apologized for the delay in a video with the American head of Niantic posted on the internet. “To everyone in Japan: I am sorry to make you wait for so long,” said Jyunichi Masuda, the head of development at Game Freak Inc., the developer of the original Pokémon game. “Pokémon Go can now be played in Japan.” In the game, players search for digital creatures that pop up on smartphone screens as they move through real-world locations. The game’s success has sent the stock price of Nintendo Co. soaring. The Japanese game maker, in partner- ship with Game Freak, released the original Pokémon game in the mid-1990s, and owns the trademarks to all the game’s characters. The launch in Japan includes a T ~ Charlie Te~ (503) 285-2296 • cte@albinabank.com St. Johns Of¿ ce • 8040 N. Lombard MLK Of¿ ce • 2002 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. www.albinabank.com Member FDIC Equal Opportunity Lender Equal Housing Lender Black Pearl Acupuncture Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are great for: - Acute/Chronic Pain (i.e. neck, back, sciatica & shoulder) - Treating & Preventing the flu and colds - Stress Relief - Headaches/Migraines POKÉMON RETURNS HOME. People gaze at their smartphones while playing Pokémon Go in Akihabara district in Tokyo. The wait is over for Pokémon Go fans in Japan. Users began tweeting about it as soon as it was available last month. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) tie-up with McDonald’s Japan that is seen as a potential expansion of the game’s revenue base beyond the sale of in-app purchases. Financial details have not been disclosed, but McDonald’s said that about 400 of its 2,900 restaurants in the country are designated as “gyms” where players can battle on their smartphones. The other 2,500 are “Pokéstops,” where players can get “Poké Balls” and other items they need to play the game. Because the game uses GPS, it can drive potential customers to a store in a way that other games cannot. “They are adding a new way to make money through mobile games by virtue of the GPS element in the game, and I think this deal is just the first of many to come,” said Serkan Toto, a Tokyo- based games industry consultant. Keito Sato, 17, walking with school friends in Tokyo’s Roppongi area, said he’s been playing since he learned about the game’s release via Twitter. He was hoping to test his skills in a battle at a McDonald’s, but realized he had not reached a sufficient level to do so. In Akihabara, 19-year-old student Yuchi Mori said he was undeterred by the multiple reports of Pokémon Go-related traffic accidents and other mishaps elsewhere. He downloaded the game as soon as a school exam ended. “Well I suppose using the smart- phone while walking is dangerous, and small kids could be taken away by suspicious people, but I think it’s all right as long as each individual stays careful,” said Mori, a Pokémon fan since he was six years old. As anticipation built toward the Japan release, the government issued nine safety-related rules for Pokémon Go players to follow. Niantic CEO John Hanke asked users to play with care. “When you go out to play, keep your head up, look around, enjoy the world around you, and be safe,” he said in the video message. Associated Press videojournalist Emily Wang contributed to this story. Japan’s nine safety tips for Pokémon Go By Satoshi Sugiyama seasymonettea@gmail.com Call to schedule an appointment: (503) 308-9363 505 N.W. Ninth Ave., Portland, OR 97209 FREE HOME REPAIRS FOR PORTLAND SENIOR & DISABLED HOMEOWNERS Plumbing l Electrical l Carpentry Call (503) 501-5719 or visit https://reachcdc.org Portland Housing Bureau Interpretation services available SPiLt ink Gallery Acrylic Colour Pencil Graphite Oil Pen & Ink Watercolour The Associated Press OKYO — Aware of the reports of Pokémon Go-related mishaps elsewhere, Japan’s govern- ment-run National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity issued a flyer with nine public-safety tips to keep overly enthusiastic players from getting into trouble. Protect personal information The government says that when registering, a player should use a nickname that a third party cannot use to identify the player. It also advises against posting photos taken near one’s home on social media, as the location could be ascertained. Beware of fake apps The government warns there are possibilities that some apps contain viruses and urges users to download the game’s app from legitimate distribution channels. Download weather apps Pokémon Go users who play outside need to be mindful of the weather. Download apps that issue severe weather warnings. A cartoon on the government flyer shows a person dragging away a preoccupied player as a tsunami approaches, shouting, “Stop playing and run!” Beware of heatstroke Players of the game may go hunting on a sunny day. In that case, the government advises players to be aware of heatstroke, taking a rest in the shade frequently and consuming drinks that contain salt. Drinking water only is not sufficient. Carry an extra battery Games that use GPS eat up battery life, so carry extra batteries or chargers. Have an additional method of contact In case your smartphone battery runs out, carry a phone card so you can use a public phone. For kids playing alone, parents should take a head-to-toe picture of them in the clothes they are wearing, in case they go missing. Do not enter dangerous areas There have been reports in other countries of people www.blackpearlacupuncture.com Sita Symonette Licensed Acupuncturist T Pets w Holidays w Special Occasions w Just for Fun www.spiltinkgallery.com (503) 442-6427 Tu Phan SAFETY STRATEGIES. This image released by Japan’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity shows a copy of a flyer issued by the Japanese government to Pokémon Go players. Aware of the reports of Pokémon Go-related mishaps elsewhere, Japan issued a flyer with nine public-safety tips to keep overenthusiastic players from getting into trouble. (Japan’s National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity via AP) getting into trouble while playing the game, including being hit by a car, falling into a pond, getting robbed, and being bitten by a snake. The government also warns players to be careful overseas — its flyer features a Continued on page 4 Call for: Refinances Purchases Offering: FHA/VA/Conventional Mortgages NMLS # 1071 MLO # 7916 12550 S.E. 93rd Avenue Suite 350 Clackamas, OR 97015 (503) 496-5718