I attended the Mobile Sports gathering in Roppongi. 800 people attended!

With 800 people there was a variety of industries present. And not just in the mobile field, security, software dev, advertising agencies and people with a general interest also attended.

From the basement all the way to the 3rd floor people were lined up.

- Refrain from talking!
I really wanted to walk around and ask everyone how their businesses were going but we were told to keep it down, even though it’s a place for a few drinks!
While we were exchanging business cards it would have been great to be able to talk individually to each person..
The basement and 1st floor were set up so that people could network, but I just wasn’t into the feel of the place for some reason.

- Panel Discussion
China Presentation: Please hide any dislike for Japan and Japanese.
Social Apps: Even though the bubble is over, a large market remains. We need staff badly!
Smart Phones: Unprofitable. Unprofitable! The general consenus after 10 years of broad investment.
(Others chatted with me Twitter )

- 4000 yen and 1 drink.
I was so busy I couldn’t eat or drink.

- Even so, I was able to chat with a few people.
“Mixi apps look really interesting”
“As a startup we tried the iPhone, but we just can’t make money off it. We are making money via a mobile site we run.”
“Personally I’m interested in Mixi apps.”
“The economy sucks at the moment.”
“I do music and am looking for opportunities in the social arena. My current position is not making money anymore ..”
“Let’s do our best.”
“We do contract work in China. The labor costs are low but management is hard work.”
“Are you having problems with security?”
“Would you like to advertise on our site?”

The discussion panel was a drinking session so everyone spoke what they’d had bottled up.
The market in general just doesn’t appear healthy.
To stay in business we’re going to need speed and skill I thought.

Yoshida.