Geek Spending Power | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
When the otaku, a uniquely Japanese style of geeks, first emerged in the early 1980s, they were generally seen as social misfits who spent long hours collecting and reading manga (comic books) and watching anime (animated films). Yet over the years, the otaku gradually took on a more visible profile. Today, some analysts believe they could actually be an important driver of Japan's economic growth.

Fast-Food Exports | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Savers Diversify Their Assets | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
More and more households are diversifying their funds into instruments like Japanese government bonds, investment trusts, and foreign-currency deposits.

Going Wild | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Made for Men | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Business and Economy Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science

Bento Wars | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Business and Economy Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science

Growing Convenience | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Business and Economy Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science

Pop Culture | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Pop Culture Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science Society Sports Fas

Digital Century | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Business and Economy Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science

It Started as a Phone | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Business and Economy Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Science

Manga Miracle | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
For a major Hollywood project, Afro Samurai's roots are about as obscure as can be. The soon-to-be-released movie originated as a manga created in Japan by Okazaki Takashi, who originally funded the comic out of his own pocket.

Brain Training for Young and Old | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Handheld electronic games, once the exclusive domain of the young, are acquiring a rapidly expanding fan base among the middle-aged and elderly.

Drawing Acclaim | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is given annually to authors, illustrators and storytellers who help stimulate and promote interest in children's and youth literature around the world. This year, one of the two recipients was picture book author Arai Ryoji, the first Japanese to receive the prize.

Cartoon Tourism | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Manga and anime are leading a global boom in popular Japanese culture. Now some enterprising travel agents are cashing in on this trend by organizing trips to Japan specifically for manga and anime fans.

Is it a Phone? Is it an Octopus? | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
As mobile phones become an indispensable part of life for many people, they have developed into personalized fashion items as well. Some users customize their phones by decorating them with stickers or covers of their choosing, and these covers have evolved to take on many forms.

Howl's Moving Castle | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Howl's Moving Castle, the spectacular new animated film directed by Miyazaki Hayao and produced by Studio Ghibli, is breaking records at the box office.

Full Metal Fantasy | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Recently the comic and anime titled Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Fullmetal Alchemist), popularly known as "Hagaren," has gained a huge following among children and adults alike.

Hello Kitty, Way To Go! | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Arts and Entertainment Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Scien

Heavenly Hokkaido | Arts and Entertainment | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Trend in Japan Web Japan Arts and Entertainment Select Archives -- 01-03 Feature Business Science Society Sports Fashion -- 99-01 Business Science Society Sports Fashion Arts -- 97-99 Business Scien

95-96 | Science & Technology | Memory Lane | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Japan is synonymous with groundbreaking inventions and scientific breakthroughs. Here you can revisit the advances covered by Trends in Japan over the past decade.