Tumbleweed Communications KK, a subsidiary of Tumbleweed Communications Corp. announced that Toyo Information Systems Co., Ltd., Hewlett Packard Japan Co., Ltd., and Tokyo Matsushita Computer Corp. have become their partners to promote Tumbleweed Integrated Messaging Exchange (IME) to the Japanese market. Tumbleweed IME is a set of products and services that leverage the Internet and existing e-mail networks to create a secure communications channel for e-business. Toyo Information Systems plans to offer IME as part of its systems integration services and has also announced that it intends to outsource IME services to its customers. The company intends to offer a service called “Web Postman,” targeted first to financial corporations and also to manufacturing and retail. HP Japan and Tokyo Matsushita Computer will become resellers, selling IME through their strong Japanese sales channels. HP is currently promoting its E-services business worldwide and sees IME as a solution for billing and delivery. HP will pursue channel sales using their strong business network, and Tumbleweed will provide technical support to their customers. Tokyo Matsushita first plans to sell IME through the sales organization of the Matsushita Group and is evaluating other new market opportunities. www.tumbleweed.com