Web Japan > Trends in Japan > Archives > Lifestyle 2001-2002
Be Prepared
(November 19, 2002)
September 1 is designated
Disaster Prevention Day, and evacuation and other drills are held all
across Japan on this day every year.
Last but Not Least
(November 13, 2002)
In recent months, books
written for elderly readers have been racking up impressive sales, including
some that have sold from several hundred thousand to over one million
copies.
Attitudes on Aging
(November 11, 2002)
When asked about the image of the elderly in Japan,
those aged 65 and older said that the elderly are healthy, enjoy satisfying
lives, and are comfortable financially.
Sea of Japan
(October 10, 2002)
The body of water to the west of Japan is known internationally as the
"Sea of Japan." The governments of the Republic of Korea (ROK)
and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), however, have been
arguing that its name should be changed to the "East Sea."
Koizumi Reshuffles Cabinet
(October 8, 2002)
On September 30, Prime Minister Jun'ichiro Koizumi carried out the first
reshuffle of his cabinet since the launch of his administration in April
2001.
Give Blood and Enjoy
(September 25, 2002)
Blood donation rooms have taken on a new face in the cities. They are turning
into "urban oases" and are attracting a growing number of
young people.
Keeping Food Safe
(September 6, 2002)
Confidence in food safety has been shaken in Japan. In order to combat
this problem, efforts are being made to thoroughly control quality and
guarantee the safety of food.
Summer Fun
(August 16, 2002)
All across Japan summer festivals and fireworks displays are drawing crowds. This year, a popular option for holidaymakers is to travel to a region to experience local culture.
Can't Live Without Mayonnaise
(August 9, 2002)
There has recently been
a marked increase, particularly among young people, in the number of mayonnaise fanatics who cannot
help adding mayonnaise to everything they eat.
Keeping in Touch
(August 7, 2002)
Many local governments are trying a number of different
ideas to revitalize their areas, and information technology is proving
to be one of the most promising methods.
A Legacy of Goodwill
(July 9, 2002)
Japanese fans were unstinting in their support of the foreign World Cup
teams playing in Japan and made many friends with traveling supporters.
Getting to Know You
(July 4, 2002)
Since the drama and passion of the 2002 FIFA World Cup kicked off on May 31,
cultural exchanges between Japan and South Korea have been in full swing.
"Free Style" Weddings
(June 28, 2002)
Nowadays,
while some Japanese couples still observe unique local customs or old-style
pomp in their wedding ceremonies, recently a growing number are making
their own distinctive contributions to engagements and wedding ceremonies.
From a Bottle into a Bag
(June 12, 2002)
Recently more and more plastic bottles are being
collected after use and made into new products. The recycled material
has been turned into uniforms for schools and companies, egg cartons,
and even business cards.
Welcoming the World
(May 17, 2002)
Predictions suggest that around 400,000 people will visit Japan
for the FIFA World Cup, to be held from May 31 to June 30. With so many
foreigners visiting at the same time, even places not directly related
to the tournament need to prepare carefully.
Japanese Style Is In
(April 24, 2002)
Things that are distinctly Japanese have been growing in popularity recently,
both in Japan and overseas.
Two Months and Counting
(April 16, 2002)
The tension is mounting as the May 31 kick-off of the 2002 FIFA World Cup
approaches.
How Do Parents See Their Children's Future?
(April 12, 2002)
Trends in Japan wanted to discover the hopes and worries young
fathers and mothers have about their children, so it conducted an online
survey and found some clear trends in the attitudes of the respondents.
Japanese Eating Habits
(April 3, 2002)
More than 80% of Japanese usually have dinner
at home with their families, and more than 70% enjoy
dining out at least once or twice monthly.
The Biggest News Stories of the Second Half of 2001
(February 21, 2002)
In an online survey by Trends in Japan, two-thirds
of respondents selected the terrorist attacks in the United States as
the most important news story of the second half of 2001.
New Uses for Receipts
(March 12, 2002)
Japanese people have come up with several new, unique ways of using receipts:
as a means of contributing money to charity, as prize-draw slips, and as
media for weather predictions or publicity about new products. It looks
as if they are destined to become a new medium for communication.
What Do You Think Of "Freeters"?
(February 4, 2002)
An online survey recently conducted by Trends in Japan
revealed the perceptions that freeters have of themselves and that the rest
of society has of them.
Spicing up Life
(January 28, 2002)
Celebrity
homemakers show others how to spice up an ordinary household and are noted
for devising ways to make everyday activities creative and fun.
Trendiest Phrases of 2001
(January 22, 2002)
Six phrases coined by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during 2001, including "structural reform without sanctuary," were chosen by a selection committee as best representing the trends of the year 2001.
Japan Rejoices
(January 17, 2002)
On December 1 a daughter was born to Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess
Masako of Japan. The event has been enthusiastically welcomed by the people
of Japan, the more so because the birth has come after a long period of
gloomy news.
University Students' Vision of Their Future
(December 5, 2001)
Half of Japan's university students want to enter a large corporation or
continue on to graduate school, and nearly 70% of them hope to get married by
the age of 30.
Outwitting Garbage
(November 30, 2001)
Food waste is recycled into fertilizer, which helps grow rice and vegetables,
which find their way back onto dinner tables. This kind of "food cycle"
is becoming more widespread thanks to the Food Product Recycling Law,
which went into effect in May 2001.
Baby Boomers' Retirement Plans
(November 8, 2001)
Japan's baby boomers are now standing at a crossroads as they approach retirement in
an aging society. What do they think is the ideal way to spend their retirement
years? To find out, Trends in Japan conducted an opinion poll by e-mail.
Doing Good Work
(November 5, 2001)
More and more young Japanese are turning to part-time jobs with a "volunteer"
flavor. Rather than a simple paycheck, these workers are looking for new,
more meaningful experiences, or the chance to contribute to society.
Online Survey
(October 19, 2001)
Their summer vacations were one week or less, and
most of them went somewhere away from home. This is the picture that emerged
from a survey on how Japan's business people spent their summer vacations.
Ginza, Shibuya Get New Faces
(October 17, 2001)
Two of Tokyo's most popular districts are undergoing
image makeovers. Behind these changes are dropping land prices caused
by the collapse of the economic bubble and a transition of generations
among the consuming public.
What's in a Name?
(September 21, 2001)
Debate on the idea of allowing married couples to use separate surnames
in family registers--official records of all Japanese kept in city offices--is
heating up again. In a recent Cabinet Office survey, 42% of respondents
said they favored revising the Civil Code to permit such a change, exceeding
the 30% who were opposed.
Online Survey
(September 19, 2001)
Just how does Japan's business community view current
events? Trends In Japan conducted an online survey of 100 businesspeople
(50 men and 50 women), mainly in their thirties, over a three-day period
beginning July 31. Participants were asked which of 18 news stories from
June to July 2001 had left the greatest impression on them.
Community Voice
(September 6, 2001)
Community FM radio stations broadcasting to small
areas are sprouting up all across Japan. These stations are proving very
popular among local residents because they provide community-based news
and invite local participation. In case of a disaster such stations can
be used by local authorities to communicate important information and
instructions.
Failure Breeds Success
(September 4, 2001)
People in Japanese business circles these days are
looking on the old proverb, "Failure is the mother of success," with renewed
appreciation. Examples of companies putting into practice the idea of
learning from mistakes are too numerous to mention. The Ministry of Education
has begun work creating a database of failures that have occurred in cutting-edge
research and development.
Koizumi Mania
(August 23, 2001)
The popularity of reformist Prime Minister Jun'ichiro
Koizumi is like a whirlwind blowing all across Japan. Almost everything
Koizumi does or says is reported by television's news programs and other
shows covering current events.
Is Japan Becoming a "Cafe Society"?
(August 20, 2001)
Since last year the cafe business has been booming
all over Japan. These fashionable hangouts do not just serve tasty cups
of coffee and tempting desserts; other factors like their interior design
and decor and the music playing in the background make cafes mellow spaces
that have won the hearts of younger generations, especially women in their
twenties and thirties.
Rediscovering Japan
(February 16, 2001)
Tracing the Historic Steps of Geographical Surveyor Tadataka Ino
Revamping Government
(February 1, 2001)
Central Bureaucracy Undergoes Reform
Unesco Recognizes Okinawan Treasures
(February 1, 2001)
Ruins Become Japan's Eleventh World Heritage Site
Saving Clinics' Lives
(January 24, 2001)
New Remedies Could Cure Business Ills
