Pokemon GO launches in Japan, bringing smash-hit mobile game home (updated)
22/07/2016 02:51
(Adds background, share prices)
TOKYO, July 22 (Reuters) - Nintendo Co Ltd's 7974.T
Pokemon GO mobile game has launched in Japan, bringing the
record-setting global hit to the home of the Pokemon characters.
Japan, one of the world's biggest gaming markets, joins the
United States, Canada, Australia and more than 30 countries in
Europe to have the "augmented-reality" game, in which players
interact with virtual characters in the real world.
The game was created by Nintendo, Niantic, and Pokemon Co.
Nintendo owns a third of Pokemon Co, and both have undisclosed
stakes in Niantic.
Nintendo shares climbed more than 4 percent in Tokyo trading
on Friday.
Shares of Japan's McDonald's Holdings Co 2702.T , which has
turned its stores into spots where Pokemon can be battled or
"trained" in the game, briefly surged 7 percent.
(Reporting by Lisa Twaronite and Makiko Yamazaki; Writing by
William Mallard and Elaine Lies; Editing by Clara Ferreira
Marques)
((william.mallard@thomsonreuters.com; +81 3 6441 1469; Reuters
Messaging: william.mallard.reuters.com@reuters.net))
Keywords: NINTENDO POKEMON/JAPAN