OSAKA -- Tokyo-based IT company Mixi Inc. on Dec. 16 launched its new social media platform "mixi2," which allows users to post concise text messages and images.

This is a different service from "mixi," which was popular in the 2000s. Participation is by invitation only, and users must be at least 18 years old.

According to the company, mixi2 allows users to post images and short text messages up to "149.3 characters," but it is believed that the upper limit is actually 149 characters.

The service aims to deepen relationships among friends and acquaintances, with posts by users one follows listed in chronological order. It was launched without prior notice. A spokesperson expressed hope that it would gradually catch on through introductions by friends and acquaintances.

(Japanese original by Tsuyoshi Kosaka, Osaka Business News Department)