NTT DoCoMo announced today that users will be able to perform keyword searches from the top page of the Japanese iMenu portal for convenient access to official i-mode sites.

The search results page will provide links to nine search engines so users can view non-official i-mode sites and other websites with the same keyword. The new service will be offered from October.

The keyword searches will be free for all i-mode users, excluding packet communication charges for accessing sites. No special set-up is required, and the search box will be automatically displayed from the service launch.

This service will make searching easier and faster as well as provide access to a broad array of information from websites other than i-mode. No words on the implementation for i-mode in the rest of the world.