Yahoo!'s (NASDAQ:YHOO) big footprint in Asia could be a significant benefit to Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) as it tries to gain market share from Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) in the region. Yahoo! owns large pieces of Yahoo! Japan and China e-commerce firm Alibaba. A takeover from Microsoft would give the world's largest software maker access to all of that.

According to Reuters, "If the deal goes through, Microsoft stands to gain a leg up over Google from cooperation with Alibaba's online software and Yahoo Japan's online customer base."

The theory may be based on soft reasoning. Yahoo! has been operating in the region for a decade and Google, which entered the market much later, has done fine. In Japan, Google is No.2 in audience behind Yahoo!, according to comScore. Google recently signed a deal to be the default search engine for NTT Docomo (NYSE:DCM) handsets. Docomo is the dominate cellular provider in Japan.

Microsoft may pick up relationships with web properties in Asia, but if its search product does not measure up to Google's that may not matter. Being better is the best way to get bigger. Buying in won't guarantee success.

One:
Today Yahoo Japan Corp. (owned on-third by Yahoo Inc) announced it will spend 25.8 billion yen ($221 million) for a 40 percent stake in Japan Net Bank.  Japan Net Bank is an online unit of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.

Both Yahoo Japan and the SMFG group will directly invest in Japan Net Bank rather than a new holding company, owning each 40% after the transaction in September 29. This will enable Yahoo Japan to offer its users banking and settlement services.

Two:
Hutchison Wampoa Co Ltd's 3 Group of mobile telecom operators, said today it has signed an agreement with Yahoo Inc (YHOO) to provide Yahoo's portfolio of mobile services to 3 worldwide.