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Business 2005-2006
Reading On The Move
(December 8, 2006)
A growing number of people are reading novels and other books on their mobile phones and computers. Easy to access and a cinch to carry around, these electronic books are convenient and, thanks to plans offering unlimited data transmissions at a fixed rate, reasonably priced as well.
Barcode Art
(MNovember 10, 2006)
Up to now, barcodes have been nothing more than a dull collection of black and white stripes of differing thickness, but that is all about to change. A Japanese company making these codes that are printed on almost every product sold in stores nowadays into fun, innovative advertisements.
Harnessing the Rising Sun
(October 6, 2006)
In a time of high oil prices and growing concern over environmental problems, the number of Japanese homes equipped with solar power systems is on the rise.
Next-Generation Bathrooms
(August 28, 2006)
Toilet manufacturers are battling to provide consumers with toilets that are more comfortable and easy to use. Recent developments in this market include environmentally friendly units that use less water and electricity than other models.
Coinless Lockers
(August 15, 2006)
New types of coin lockers are appearing in train stations around the country. Some can be paid for by a swipe of an electronic money card or cellular phone, and others have enough space to store big suitcases.
Listen and Learn
(June 26, 2006)
Foreign-language dictionaries, whether paper or electronic, have long been seen and not heard. But that is changing quickly with the growing popularity of a slew of advanced "talking" electronic dictionaries.
Brewing up Business
(May 23, 2006)
Now is a great time to be a sake exporter. Interest in Japanese food overseas is one of the factors fueling sake's popularity, and in the United States - the largest export market - sake can now be ordered not just in Japanese restaurants but also in establishments serving French cuisine.
Books as Billboards
(May 8, 2006)
One of the hottest trends in Japan right now is book jackets. Made of high-quality paper and sporting elaborate and colorful designs, many of them bear corporate logos and brand images.
Wind Power Takes Off
(March 29, 2006)
Communities and industries in Japan are increasingly looking to wind power to help out with their energy needs. Several cities and towns in Japan have been building "citizens' windmills."
A Haven of Snow and Hot Springs
(March 16, 2006)
The number of overseas travelers who visit Hokkaido during the winter months, particularly from Australia and Asia, has begun to soar. These visitors are drawn to Japan's northernmost island by two main attractions: snow and hot springs.
Ever More Convenient
(February 21, 2006)
Convenience stores no longer just sell food and everyday items but offer an amazing variety of goods and services. Many chains have recently launched specialist outlets targeted at specific groups of customers in an effort to stay ahead of the pack.
Fostering the Will to Work
(February 1, 2006)
Major publishing companies have released a succession of titles aimed at teaching children about the meaning and value of employment.
Sharing In The Spoils
(January 5, 2006)
Japan's stock markets are recording heavy trading. One of the factors behind this increased activity is the emergence of individual investors who actively trade stocks, many of whom have gained inspiration from celebrity traders famed for their stock-trading success.
Something For Nothing
(December 27, 2005)
Fapree newspers and magazines have rapidly evolved into one of the most exciting subsectors of the publishing industry, with the annual circulation of free publications currently standing at more than 200 million.
A Map For Publishing Success
(December 1, 2005)
Informative maps focusing on themes like world affairs, history, and even earthquakes and other disasters have become popular among Japanese readers. These thematic, informative maps are the product of a new strategy publishing firms have adopted amid adverse market conditions.
Ultra-Luxury Hotels
(November 24, 2005)
Foreign-owned "ultra-luxury hotels," with rates 20%–50% higher than most of their Japanese competitors, continue to open in downtown Tokyo.
The Final Frontier
(November 8, 2005)
The business of space travel and technology has long been in the hands of a small number of large corporations. Yet in recent years, a growing number of small and medium-sized companies have entered the industry.
Fast-Food Exports
(October 13, 2005)
Yoshinoya, a Japanese chain of fast-food restaurants, is quickly becoming a household name in China's capital city. As of the end of August 2005, the company had 67 restaurants in Beijing. Yoshinoya is one of several Japanese restaurant chains making serious inroads throughout Asia.
Keiretsu Comeback
(September 5, 2005)
Keiretsu (corporate conglomerates) have been condemned by European and American auto makers for their opaque business practices and high costs, but today keiretsu are being reevaluated as a way to achieve business success.
Geek Spending Power
(August 30, 2005)
Now that the postwar generation of "baby boomers" is about to hit retirement age, a slew of products and services have emerged to cater to this relatively affluent and leisure-loving group of consumers.
Time to Retire
(August 12, 2005)
Now that the postwar generation of "baby boomers" is about to hit retirement age, a slew of products and services have emerged to cater to this relatively affluent and leisure-loving group of consumers.
Going Wild
(July 6, 2005)
The Asahiyama Zoo is located in a fairly rural area in the far north of Japan, but that has not stopped huge numbers of people from all over the country from visiting. What is the secret behind zoo's staggering popularity? The answer lies in its presentation of the exhibits. The cages and aquariums are designed to show off the peculiar and fascinating behavior of the zoo's animals.
The Eco-Friendly Bank
(June 10, 2005)
A nonprofit bank launched two years ago by three stars of Japan's pop-music industry is garnering attention for the contribution it is making to tackling environmental problems.
Healthy Holidays
(May 19, 2005)
In a further reflection of consumers' growing inclination to choose products that are good for their health, travel packages that combine medical checkups or treatment with fun and relaxing activities are enjoying a steady growth in popularity.
Japan's Newest International Airport
(March 25, 2005)
Air travel to and from Japan became a lot more convenient on February 17. This day marked the opening of Central Japan International Airport not far from the major city of Nagoya.
Savers Diversify Their Assets
(March 23, 2005)
More and more households are diversifying their funds into instruments like Japanese government bonds, investment trusts, and foreign-currency deposits.
The Changing Face of the Japanese Office
(March 22, 2005)
More and more businesses, particularly in the information technology sector, have been transforming their offices by eliminating fixed seating arrangements and allowing their employees to work from outside the company.
Manufacturing Success
(February 28, 2005)
The lean economic times of the 1990s caused many of Japan's biggest manufacturers to downsize and move their production bases overseas. Yet now that the gloom has lifted, it is clear that many Japanese manufacturers have not only survived the lean years but have emerged stronger and more profitable than ever.
All Part of the Service
(February 17, 2005)
A growing number of taxi operators in provincial areas of Japan have introduced innovative services to attract passengers.
Haneda Airport Gets a New Terminal
(February 7, 2005)
Haneda Airport's new Terminal 2, which opened on December 1, 2004, was built to ease congestion at Japan's busiest airport.
On Location
(January 20, 2005)
A new breed of tourist is beginning to attract the attention of tour operators
and of localities where movies have been filmed. The main objective of these visitors
is not to see famous landmarks or to go shopping but to visit the settings of
popular movies and TV series.
In with the New
(January 17, 2005)
Some of the long-running models that Japanese automakers first introduced in the 1950s
and 1960s have reached the end of the road, and carmakers
are replacing them with new models.
Plastic from Plants
(January 7, 2005)
Plastics made using the resin of corn and other plants are seeing a rapid increase
in demand.
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