Yahoo! Joins Softbank With Japan Startup Fund

Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) has announced plans to initiate a $20 million fund to help US start ups gain a foothold in Japan. The company is partnering with Japanese firm Softbank Corp (TYO:9984) (PINK:SFTBF) on the venture and will look to invest in start ups from their early stages of development to late stage expansion in the Japanese market.

Japan offers unique challenges to US companies attempting to build a presence in the market. The unique culture and language make it extremely difficult for start ups to operate there because of the high costs involved in dealing with...