.ryukyu Pre-Register Domain - .ryukyu Domain Information

[Brief Introduction of Ryukyu]
In modern Japanese context, Ryukyu generally refers to the Okinawa Prefecture. It is also known in Japanese as Ryukyu Islands, Nansei Islands, and Ryukyu Arc. Okinawa Prefecture has historic links, in terms of administrative extent, to the Ryukyu Kingdom, Ryukyu-han, and government of Ryukyu Islands. Ryukyu is surrounded by the clean oceans and nature, and has a subtropical climate, with its own unique history, traditions, languages, and cultures. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations offering recreational and marine activities in Japan.


[Mission and Purpose]
The mission and purpose of .ryukyu are as follows:
- To establish an online presence for Okinawa;
- To provide a better, easy, secure, and meaningful name space for communication; and
- To contribute to the development of Okinawa.

The Applicant strongly believes that it is important to extend the global reach and mindshare of .ryukyu domain names in order to achieve the stated mission and purpose. Therefore, second level domain names under the TLD are open for registration to everyone. The Applicant will strive to maintain industry leading service levels, innovate and deliver a superior user experience associated with the TLD, bringing benefits to Okinawa, registrants, and Internet users.

i. What is the goal of your proposed gTLD in terms of areas of specialty, service levels, or reputation?

Specialty
As a distinctive TLD representing Okinawa, .ryukyu provides a strong context and association for the domain names registered under it. As such, the Applicant expects .ryukyu to bring about expectations of increased marketing and branding values. The goal of the TLD in this respect is to build a high quality and meaningful domain name space to complement the inherent .ryukyu advantages: direct, simple, easy-to-understand, and memorable.

The Applicant believes that .ryukyu will bring about tangible benefits to the following groups of stakeholders:

For .ryukyu registrants: a namespace that effectively provides information on Okinawa, as well as businesses and services offered by the registrants.

For Internet users: a namespace where Internet users can discover new information about Okinawa and communicate with entities in Okinawa in a safe and productive way.

For others: a TLD that contributes to growth of Okinawa.

Service Levels
The Applicant aims to operate the TLD in a secure and stable manner, adopting industry best practices where applicable.　The Applicant's operational goals are to have DNS load dispersion that is resistant to DDoS attacks, industry-leading level of Whois information change and DNS record change reflection time, substantial registrar support, and abuse window operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Applicant will also implement proven security measures at every level of the registry business and technical operation in order to provide maximum protection for its stakeholders. This includes stringent security policies and procedures, as well as comprehensive abuse handling mechanisms to mitigate security threats to the TLD. In addition, the Applicant will strive to provide an outstanding level of technical and operational support to the registrars.

Reputation
The aims for the reputations of .ryukyu are:
1. to become a namespace that registrants and Internet users appreciate its quality, meaningfulness, pleasure, safety, stability, and truthfulness; and
2. to provide various benefits to registrants, registrars, Internet users, and others and become regarded as a contributing factor in the development of Okinawa.

ii. What do you anticipate your proposed gTLD will add to the current space, in terms of competition, differentiation, or innovation?

The Applicant believes that .ryukyu will promote competition, differentiation, and innovation.

.ryukyu is a new type of TLD that represents Okinawa. There are many TLDs that represents countries (i.e. .JP, .US, .AU) and regions (i.e. .ASIA and .EU), but there is no TLD for states/prefectures and cities. The Applicant believes that the TLD will provide compelling marketing and branding value and bring various advantages to entities in Okinawa and the locality. It anticipates a significant uptake by entities that are currently operating under legacy TLDs and wish to switch to using .ryukyu domain names for their primary online identities. Therefore, the Applicant expects to infuse positive competition and differentiation in the current space.

In addition, .ryukyu will be an additional choice for registrars to provide to customers. However, registrars will not select TLDs that do not bring benefits in various ways to Internet users and their businesses. In order to meet these demands, registries need to make an effort to prove better services, business operations, system operations, pricing, customer support, and so on. It is expected that this will also promote competition and differentiation in the current space. The Applicant believes that competition and differentiation in turn will spur innovation and lead to a better name space.

iii. What goals does your proposed gTLD have in terms of user experience?

The Applicant will endeavor to achieve the following goals relating to user experience:
1. Internet users find that the services and contents associated with .ryukyu domain names are relevant and of high quality;
2. Internet users discover new things about Okinawa; and
3. Internet users are not exposed to abusive or malicious content

iv. Provide a complete description of the applicant's intended registration policies in support of the goals listed above.

In order to achieve the goals stated above, the plans for .ryukyu domain name registration policies are as follows. All .ryukyu TLD registrars are required to include, policies and restrictions including but not limited to the following in their registration agreement with their customers, and registrants must agree and comply.
1. TLD Registrants and Usage
While .ryukyu domain name registration is open for everyone, the Applicant will recommend that registrants to incorporate information related to Okinawa on websites in the TLD space. Information about best practices and prohibited usage will be published on the Applicant's website. Seeking to ensure that .ryukyu delivers high quality Okinawa related content supports the Applicant's objective of making a positive contribution to the economy, industry, culture and community in Okinawa.

Please note: The .ryukyu domain name registration is open for everyone in general. However, it does not allow registration by entities that are related to antisocial forces in Japan, consistent with the anti-gang ordinance enacted by the prefecture. In case such registration is reported, the domain name may be denied, cancelled, or transferred any registration or transaction, or may be deleted or placed on lock, hold, or similar status.

2. Draft Abusive Use Policy
The Applicant defines abuse as any activity that may harm the stability and security of the DNS and Internet, including, but not limited to:

- Illegal or fraudulent activities;
- Phishing;
- Pharming;
- Using or distributing malicious software (malware);
- Sending unsolicited bulk messages (spam);
- Posting, trading, or exchanging information that harms minors;
- Posting, trading, or exchanging child pornography;
- Posting information that encourages illegal acts, crimes, murders, or suicides;
- Posting information that is offensive to public order or morals; and
- Posting information that harms the national interest or reputation of Japan including the respective prefecture and city.

The Applicant reserves the right to deny, cancel or transfer any registration or transaction, or place any domain name on lock, hold or similar status, at its sole discretion, to enforce the policy.

In addition, the Applicant intends to set up an abuse support window (abuse report form and abuse support window) for .ryukyu that will be operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In case an abuse use is reported, the Applicant will promptly take appropriate measures in accordance with the suspension flow provided separately (Please refer to Question 28).

3. Accuracy of Registration Information
.ryukyu registrants are obligated to provide and maintain accurate, complete, and current registration information (Whois information).

Failure to comply with the policy, the domain name may be denied, cancelled, or transferred any registration or transaction, or may be deleted or placed on lock, hold, or similar status.

4. ICANN Policies
The Applicant will adopt and comply with the Uniform Rapid Suspension System, Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, and all other ICANN policies, regulations, rules (collectively the "ICANN policies"), and all .ryukyu domain name registration will be subject to ICANN policies.

5. Reserved Names
In addition to the reserved names specified by ICANN, the Applicant intends to reserve some names at the second level in .ryukyu TLD.

[Public Interest]
Names related to the public interest will be initially reserved at the second level in the TLD. As the responsible use of these names is in the public interest, methodology to release these names will be determined by the respective government(s) and the Applicant. The list of the reserved names will be posted at the Applicant website and it shall be revised upon a request made by the relevant governments. The current list of reserved names is as follows:

- Names of government-decreed cities, wards, cities, towns, villages in Japan that the respective governments require to reserve.
- Public facilities, projects, and events
- Facilities and activities that relate to public interest, medical, welfare, education, tourism, and environment protection.
- Designated cultural properties
- Other strings that the respective governments requires to reserve.

[Others]
In addition to the reserved names that are related to the public interest, words and terms that are offensive to the public order and morals (i.e. vulgar words, obscene words, swearing words, discriminatory words, derogatory terms, etc.) will be reserved or prohibited from registration at the second level in the TLD. These names are not subject to release.

6. Website Best Practices Information Page
In order to help .ryukyu domain name registrants understand the purpose of the TLD, clearly publicize usage restrictions of the TLD, and encourage registrants to use .ryukyu domain names in an appropriate manner, the Applicant will publish an information page on its website describing recommended ways to use .ryukyu domain names. The information page is for information purposes only and will include best practices for web contents and a list of prohibited activities under the TLD.


v. Will your proposed gTLD impose any measures for protecting the privacy or confidential information of registrants or users? If so, please describe any such measures.

.ryukyu will comply with the applicable laws of Japan and regulations of respective governments, as well as applicable ICANN consensus policies. As part of its responsibility as registry operator of the TLD, the Applicant will exercise due care to protect all information it receives from registrants or users through registrars, and will not disclose such information to any third party, with the exception of public Whois data.

The Applicant does not provide any additional measures beyond its obligation as a registry operator. The Applicant places no restrictions on the use of Whois proxy services, to the extent permissible by law.


vi. Describe whether and in what ways outreach and communications will help to achieve your projected benefits.

1. Communication with Registrars
In order to achieve the projected benefits, .ryukyu must gain substantial mindshare among Internet users. The Applicant believes that the primary method of increasing recognition and registration numbers in the TLD is to gain strong support from .ryukyu registrars. For that reason, the Applicant intends to:
 Maintain regular communication with registrars;
 Attend ICANN meetings and domain name/Internet related events and have face to face meetings with registrars; and
 Organize events for registrars
Feedback from registrars will be then taken into account, and integrated into public relations and marketing activities that the Applicant organizes where appropriate.

2. Other Outreach Activities and Communication
The Applicant believes that support from the respective governments as well as individuals, organizations, and companies in Okinawa is also critical to achieving the projected benefits, and will establish close communications with each of these Groups. In addition, the Applicant will strive to raise awareness of the TLD which it believes will in turn promote development and growth of Okinawa and .ryukyu.

i. How will multiple applications for a particular domain name be resolved, for example, by auction or on a first-come/first-serve basis?

Multiple applications for a particular domain name for general registration will be resolved on a first-come-first-served basis as are current gTLDs. However, multiple applications for a particular domain name during the .ryukyu initial launch phase will be resolved as follows:

Sunrise Registration Process
- Auction

Priority Registration
- First-come-first-served

Landrush Process
- Auction

ii. Explain any cost benefits for registrants you intend to implement (e.g., advantageous pricing, introductory discounts, bulk registration discounts).

In order to encourage new registrations and renewals of .ryukyu domain names, the Applicant will run campaigns or rebate programs from time to time. The Applicant believes it is important to run campaigns that meet the needs of registrars; therefore, it will exchange ideas with registrars and make an effort to run campaigns that reflect registrar input. The Applicant promises equal treatment for all .ryukyu registrars.

The planned campaigns/rebate programs are as follows:

New Registration Promotion
This is a promotion that provides discounts on first year registration fees of new domain names registered during a predetermined period. The discount will be provided in the form of a rebate credit to the registrar's account at the end of the campaign period. Registrars interested in the promotion will need to sign up and may be required to deliver the benefit to registrants in some way (i.e. provide registrants with discounts on new registrations).


Bulk Registration Rebate Program
This is a promotion that provides a volume discount on the first year registration fee of new domain names registered during a predetermined period. The amount of rebate will depend on the volume of the new registrations made during the campaign. The discount will be provided in the form of a rebate credit to the registrar's account, at the end of the campaign period. Registrars interested in the promotion will need to sign up.

Co-Marketing Program
This program is aimed at expanding recognition of the TLD whereby the Applicant will bear part of the marketing cost of promotions relating to the TLD, conducted by registrars. All registrars interested in the program will be required to sign up and discuss details of the marketing plan in advance with the Applicant.


iii. Note that the Registry Agreement requires that registrars be offered the option to obtain initial domain name registrations for periods of one to ten years at the discretion of the registrar, but no greater than ten years. Additionally, the Registry Agreement requires advance written notice of price increases. Do you intend to make contractual commitments to registrants regarding the magnitude of price escalation? If so, please describe your plans.

The registration period for .ryukyu domain names is as follows:

General Registration
- Minimum of 1 year and maximum of 10 years (but no greater than 10 years)

All Phases other than General Registration Phase
- Minimum of 2 years and maximum of 10 years (but no greater than 10 years)

The Applicant will provide an advance written notice of price increases as required by the Registry Agreement. The Applicant does not intend to make contractual commitments to registrants regarding price escalation.

The Applicant will comply with Specification 5 "Schedule of Reserved Names at the Second Level in gTLD Registries" of the ICANN New gTLD Agreement. In particular, names covered under the Country and Territory Names section of the said schedule shall be initially reserved on the second level. The names are:

- the short form (in English) of all country and territory names contained on the ISO 3166-1 list, as updated from time to time, including the European Union, which is exceptionally reserved on the ISO 3166-1 list, and its scope extended in August 1999 to any application needing to represent the name European Union 〈http://www.iso.org/iso/support/country_codes/iso_3166_code_lists/iso-3166-1_decoding_table.htm#EU〉;
- the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Technical Reference Manual for the Standardization of Geographical Names, Part III Names of Countries of the World; and
- the list of United Nations member states in 6 official United Nations languages prepared by the Working Group on Country Names of the United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names;

At a later time, the registry may propose to ICANN to release specific country and territory names, subject to the registry reaching agreement with the applicable government(s), the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) review and approval by ICANN. Rules and procedures for the release of such names will be agreed upon between ICANN and the registry.

The registry is considering the following procedures for releasing specific country and territory names, subject to ICANN approval:

1. In order for specific country and territory names to be released and become available for .ryukyu stakeholders to register, the registry shall submit a proposal letter to ICANN and the GAC including, at minimum, the following:
A. The list of country and territory names which the registry requests for release; and
B. Purpose of releasing the names listed above;
2. ICANN and the GAC review the proposal letter and inform of the proposal to the relevant government(s);
3. Each of the relevant governments takes the following action:
A. If the government approves or does not object to the proposal, it replies with its decision of "approval" or "non-objection" by a due date set and agreed upon by ICANN, the GAC, and the registry; or
B. If the government does not approve the proposal, it replies with a "non-approval" decision by a due date set and agreed upon by ICANN, the GAC, and the registry.
4. If a reply is not received by the due date agreed upon by ICANN, the GAC and the registry, or the government replied with an "approval" or "non-objection" decision, the names may be released for registration.
5. In case the government replied with a "non-approval" decision, the government and the registry may enter negotiation to attempt to reach agreement, and only upon reaching agreement shall the names be released.
6. Potential applicants of the names shall send registration requests to the registry. The request must include the following information:
A. Domain name(s) the applicant wishes to register;
B. A pledge the applicant understands the purpose and rules of the domain name registration and use included in the proposal letter described 1.A. above; and
C. A pledge the applicant abides by the purpose and rules of the domain name registration and use included in the proposal letter described 1.A. above;
7. The registry reviews the request and checks availability of the requested name. In case the registry approves the request, it issues a "code."
Note: The availability check is conducted to see whether the requested domain name has been already requested and registered by another applicant.
8. Using the "code," the applicant requests the domain name registration through a .ryukyu accredited registrar.

In addition to the reserved geographic names specified by ICANN, the registry intends to initially reserve some geographic names at the second level in .ryukyu TLD.

- Names of government-decreed city, prefecture, ward, city, town, village in Japan that the respective governments require to reserve; and
- Other geographic names (i.e. sister-city) that the respective governments requires to reserve.

As the responsible use of these names is in the public interest, methodology to release these names will be determined by the respective government(s) and the registry. The list of the reserved geographic names will be posted at the registry website and it shall be revised upon a request made by the relevant governments.