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(December 20, 2002)
A popular way to relax and escape the bustle of city
life in Japan is to travel to an onsen (hot
spring) resort. For those who want to enjoy the luxury of a spa in their own
homes, meanwhile, condos with natural spring water are being built in
and around Tokyo. These moves seem to have struck
a chord with modern-day consumers and have succeeded in generating new
demand. |
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(December 19, 2002)
December in Japan is
a time for gift giving. But unlike Christmas presents, seibo
in Japan often consist of food or drinks and are given by one family to
another or by a company to its clients. |
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(December 18, 2002)
The 36th Tokyo Motor Show was held from October 29 to November 3. Carmakers are
today putting particular energy into the development of barrier-free vehicles
for the disabled and the elderly. |
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(November 28, 2002)
A unique food called natto,
which is made by fermenting soy beans and has been eaten widely in Japan
since the Edo period, is enjoying unprecedented popularity
as more and more people turn to it for its health-boosting properties. |
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(November 27, 2002)
A 3-D TV on which images appear
to leap out of the screen has been developed by Sanyo Electric. Through the use of a special gobo
fitted to the surface of the screen, it enables viewers to see solid-looking
images without wearing special glasses. |
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(October 15, 2002)
Competition has been heating up
as taxi companies race to gain the favor of passengers with innovative
services. |
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(September 27, 2002)
Of the four denominations of paper currency currently
in circulation in Japan, three will be redesigned and released in the
spring of 2004, the exception being the ¥2,000 note that was just put into circulation in 2000. |
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(September 10, 2002)
Recently wireless LANs have created "hot spots" in cities where people
whose notebook computers or PDAs have wireless
LAN cards can access the Internet. Many businesses, particularly restaurants,
are making use of this technology to lure customers. |
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(September 5, 2002)
As the number of children in Japan declines, the
nation's toy makers are facing the crisis of a shrinking market. In order
to offset the loss of younger customers, major toy makers have begun trying to lure adults into the market. |
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(August 13, 2002)
While the auto market as a whole appears to be at
a standstill, subcompact cars are currently enjoying booming sales due to
the changing preferences of car buyers. |
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(August 2, 2002)
The government and private sector are now working hard
to implement anti-global-warming measures, such as energy saving. |
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(July 4, 2002)
Companies are beginning to reevaluate the experience and know-how of people aged 50 and over, who are often the targets of corporate restructuring and have difficulty finding reemployment. |
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(June 17, 2002)
Beginning late last year and continuing into this
spring, all of Japan's major department-store chains undertook major renovations
of their stores. |
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(June 7, 2002)
In recent years, the Hanshin Tigers baseball team has often
occupied last place in Japan's Central League,
but the team has been doing exceptionally well so far this season, and
all of Japan is watching with interest. |
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(May 23, 2002)
According to the government's March 2002 Economy Watchers Survey, based on interviews of small-business people
who feel the effects of changes in the economy directly, the diffusion index
stood at 43.9, 10.8 points better than the previous month's
survey. Japan's economy has had an extended period of hibernation
- people are now hoping that spring is about to arrive. |
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(May 10, 2002)
The Japanese nonalcoholic beverage market has entered a lively phase. Many
Japanese green-tea products came onto the market in 2001, but from spring
of this year there is a great deal more variety and a whole range of new
green-tea products from China are available. |
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(April 2, 2002)
The 2002 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by
Japan and South Korea, and excitement is building as the big event approaches.
An increasing number of businesses are aiming to cash in on the special
demand created by the sporting event. |
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(March 18, 2002)
The "low-teen" fashion market for style-conscious elementary- and middle-school
girls is flourishing. Not only cosmetics and clothing companies but even toy makers have
thrown themselves into what has become a fierce competition for the hearts
and wallets of preteen and early-teen girls. |
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(February 7, 2002)
Products whose selling point is "the power of the ion" are the new kids
on the block in the market for such familiar domestic appliances as refrigerators,
air conditioners, and washing machines. More and more functions are being
added to these appliances in response
to consumers' heightened interest in health issues. |
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(January 31, 2002)
Far from Tokyo, more and more companies located
in Japan's outlying areas are getting started, growing, and actively aiming
at overseas markets. |
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(January 15, 2002)
As Japan moves forward with structural reform, the
government and the private sector are joining together in taking measures
to bolster employment. |
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(November 22, 2001)
The 35th Tokyo Motor Show, one of the three biggest
motor shows in the world, was held from October 26 to November 7, 2001.
The first motor show
of the twenty-first century was attended by 1.28 million people. |
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(November 14, 2001)
The basement levels of department stores in Japan are buzzing with life. Despite tough economic times for department stores as a
whole, the basement floors remain oases of epicurean indulgence. |
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(October 4, 2001)
Many of Japan's leading general contractors are
putting efforts into the development of rooftop greenery, which involves
planting trees, flowers, and other plants on top of buildings so as to
absorb heat. It is hoped that rooftop greenery will lessen the "heat-island"
effect, cut air-conditioning costs, and reduce noise pollution. |
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(August 23, 2001)
This summer the Japanese archipelago has been experiencing intense heat
on a nearly daily basis, and the weather has been affecting the economy
in numerous ways. Seasonal
items have been jumping off of store shelves. |
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(August 20, 2001)
McDonald's
hamburgers have been part of the Japanese diet for 30 years. Now the country's
largest fast-food chain is drawing renewed attention for its robust sales
in a weak economy. It seems that a "McDonald's effect" is spreading to
all corners of society. |
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(April 3, 2001)
Young People Search for Value |
|
(March 23, 2001)
New Appliance Recycling Law to Take Effect |
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(February 16, 2001)
Local Calls Get Cheaper Under New System |
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(February 13, 2001)
Historic Kyoto Emerges as Japan's High-Tech Hope |
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(February 13, 2001)
Japanese-Born Instant Noodles a Ubiquitous Part of World Food Culture |
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(February 6, 2001)
Foreign Megastores Open Their First Japanese Outlets |
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(January 17, 2001)
Turning Out Test Products for the World |
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(January 16, 2001)
Big Bang Comes to Insurance Sector |
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(January 11, 2001)
Firms Selling Off Cross-Held Shares |
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(January 9, 2001)
Lower Costs May Attract Customers |
Copyright (C)2007 Web Japan. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.
