Mobile/web/IM status messaging service Twitter has launched its first localization in Japan. Tokyo has more Twitterers than even its native San Francisco. Unlike Twitter.com, Twitter.jp includes display ads. First sponsor is Toyota, whose ad links to its Twitter news stream (sounds a lot like early blog buzz marketing hype). The blogosphere got its knickers in a twist last week on premature reports Twitter was testing ads more generally - reports that turned out incorrect when someone spoke with founder Biz Stone (though there is clearly potential to reach people audiences - and annoyingly - via SMS marketing). Twitter took an investment from Joi Ito via his Japanese web firm Digital Garage in January to have the build executed. Telefonica (NYSE: TEF) web subsidiary Terra started offering a Spanish-centric Twitter in January, but Twitter itself said it was not part of a JV.

• Seesmic Acquires Twitter Desktop Client Twhirl
• SMS Twitter Reporting For The Presidential Elections
• El Twitter In Dark On Telefonica’s Plan For Spanish Version