Hiragana Times and Meta4 Group Launch Co-branded Hiragana Personals Service

(15 December 2003 – Tokyo) Today YAC Planning Inc. and WorldFriends Networks launched a personals service in Japanese and English for Hir@gana Times (http://www.hiraganatimes.com/). With this cooperation, WorldFriends Networks, operator of Worldfriends personals service, (http://www.worldfriends.tv/ja_JP/public/home.jhtml) will start a give away promotion for Hir@gana e-Times (online version of Hir@gana Times) to its subscribers.

The main attraction of WorldFriends Networks’ online personals service is it focuses on international-minded individuals, and is currently providing its’ service in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

With the cooperation of WorldFriends Networks, users of Hir@gana Times (http://www.hiraganatimes.com/)can easily find new friends, travel buddies, pen-pals, language tutors, dates, and potential long term partners that have an international mindset.

A member of “Hir@gana Times Friends” personals service can choose to be a regular, VIP or Open club member. Regular membership is free and members can create their own profile, search profiles, receive messages, and send a smile to other members. VIP members can initiate contact with any member. Members who choose VIP can select a service duration from either 1, 3, 6, or 12 months with the minimum 1 month priced at 3,500 yen. Another type of membership called Open Club is priced at 7,500 yen for 3 months.

WorldFriends Networks is planning a rapid expansion of their network and is actively seeking additional website partners. WorldFriends Networks is currently providing its service to native speakers of English, Chinese, and Japanese. A Korean version is in the works. Also match mail, free personalized email recommendations for potential matches, and Instant messenger will be coming soon.

About YAC Planning Inc.
“Hir@gana Times” cross-culture communication magazine has been published since 1986. “Hir@gana Times” is published in both Japanese and English. Furthermore, Furigana (in Hiragana) is placed above each kanji to assist those who are studying Japanese. It is very suitable for Japanese learners and is designed as a magazine in which Japanese and non-Japanese can read the same content. This unique concept was recognized at the NTT magazine contest where “Hir@gana Times” has twice been awarded the Grand Prize. The same magazine can be subscribed through an online version called “Hir@gana e-Times”. YAC Planning Inc. also operates overseas education/host family programs and organizes events (international parties, foreigners staff bank) . To learn more about YAC Planning Inc., visit the company’s website at http://www.hiraganatimes.com/index-j.html.