PICTURE-PERFECT PLASMA
The rising popularity of plasma TVs is the latest manifestation of the digital age in Japan. A hi-tech revolution is transforming the quality of viewers' audiovisual experiences.
(March 19, 2003)
CONSOLIDATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
The Japanese game software industry is currently undergoing a major reorganization. A typical example is the merger between Japan's fourth largest game publisher, Square Co., and the fifth largest, Enix Corp., which will take place in April 2003. Square is the producer of the Final Fantasy series, which has sold an estimated 30 million titles, while Enix produces the 24-million-selling Dragon Quest series.
(February 25, 2003)
FUELING A GREEN REVOLUTION
Japanese automakers have taken the lead in commercializing environmentally friendly fuel cell vehicles that run on hydrogen. In December 2002 Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. became the first companies in the world to market fuel cell vehicles when they leased some cars to government agencies and universities in Japan and the United States.
(February 3, 2003)
HIDDEN NOBEL POWER
In 2002 two Japanese won Nobel Prizes in the same year for the first time ever. While the backgrounds and work environments of these Nobel laureates may be completely different, companies played a large role in the success of both.
(January 17, 2003)
A STEAMING HOT BUSINESS
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.
(December 20, 2002)
'TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE
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.
(December 19, 2002)
BARRIER-FREE VEHICLES
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.
(December 18, 2002)
FULL OF BEANS
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.
(November 28, 2002)
A NEW DIMENSION
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.
(November 27, 2002)
CAB COMFORT
Competition has been heating up as taxi companies race to gain the favor of passengers with innovative services.
(October 15, 2002)
MONEY MAKEOVER
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.
(September 27, 2002)
ONLINE ON THE GO
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.
(September 10, 2002)
NOT JUST FOR KIDS
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.
(September 5, 2002)
SMALLER IS BETTER
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.
(August 13, 2002)
KEEPING COOL
The government and private sector are now working hard to implement anti-global-warming measures, such as energy saving.
(August 2, 2002)
GRAY IS GOOD
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.
(July 4, 2002)
A NEW LOOK
Beginning late last year and continuing into this spring, all of Japan's major department-store chains undertook major renovations of their stores.
(June 17, 2002)
TIGERS ROAR
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.
(June 7, 2002)
IS SPRING ABOUT TO ARRIVE FOR THE ECONOMY?
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.
(May 23, 2002)
THE WAR OF THE TEAS COMES TO THE BOIL
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.
(May 10, 2002)
KICKING PAY DIRT
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.
(April 2, 2002)
EARLY STARTERS
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.
(March 18, 2002)
THE ION AGE
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.
(February 7, 2002)
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Far from Tokyo, more and more companies located in Japan's outlying areas are getting started, growing, and actively aiming at overseas markets.
(January 31, 2002)
WORKING TOGETHER
As Japan moves forward with structural reform, the government and the private sector are joining together in taking measures to bolster employment.
(January 15, 2002)
OPEN THE DOOR
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.
(November 22, 2001)
GOURMET WONDERLANDS
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.
(November 14, 2001)
ROOFTOP GREENERY
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.
(October 4, 2001)
SUMMER HEAT
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.
(August 23, 2001)
THE MCDONALD'S EFFECT
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.
(August 20, 2001)
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