Ever More Convenient | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

A Haven of Snow and Hot Springs | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Wind Power Takes Off | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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."

Time to Retire | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

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.

Keiretsu Comeback | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Payback Time | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Now that Japan's economy is on the upswing, the nation's major banks are speeding up their repayments of the funds the government provided them to sort out the bad-loan crisis of the 1990s.

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.

The Final Frontier | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

On Location | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Haneda Airport Gets a New Terminal | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
Haneda Airport's new Terminal 2, which opened on December 1, 2004, was built to ease congestion at Japan's busiest airport.

All Part of the Service | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
A growing number of taxi operators in provincial areas of Japan have introduced innovative services to attract passengers.

Manufacturing Success | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

The Changing Face of the Japanese Office | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

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.

Japan's Newest International Airport | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

Healthy Holidays | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

The Eco-Friendly Bank | Business and Economy | Trends in Japan | Web Japan
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.

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
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