Japanese Market News

In attempts to follow the footsteps of popular, young, professional female golfers Sakura Yokomine and Ai Miyazato, junior golf schools have seen an increase in the number of parents and children taking lessons together. There are even several schools that are planning on expanding to respond to the expected increase of students. While it is not surprising that driver models used by the two professional golfers are ranking well in sales, others golf club manufacturers such as Salomon & TaylorMade Co., Ltd. also steadily continue to keep market share. Golf courses are also in this race to regain momentum as well in this golf frenzied Japanese market.

Posted by Alisa at 10:07 AM | Permalink

The anime and gaming market is said to be worth 88 billion yen, so it is not surprising that both the public and private sectors are taking notice of the benefits of investing in the anime business.

The most noticeable example within the public sector is the anime trade fair sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held every year to further promote the anime industry on an international level. In the private sector, Itochu Corp., a major trading house, plans to set up a fund investing in Japanese animation with U.S. media and entertainment giant, Time Warner Inc., to increase the number of animated television programs to be aired around the world. The rise in anime related company stocks up to 1 trillion yen is also another concrete indication of the market’s potential. Some major examples are used anime books and goods store Mandarake's stock rising up to 1.2 million yen, online game company Koei Net's stock quadrupling to 1.7 million yen, and anime entertainment company Broccoli Co. Ltd. and Toei Animation Co. Ltd. experiencing similar boosts.

Posted by Alisa at 09:59 AM | Permalink

More and more previously unrelated industries are looking for business opportunities in the nursing care sector, a market worth over 5 trillion yen and still growing.

Watami Co. Ltd., well known for its successful Japanese style pub franchise, recently bought RnoKAIGO Inc., which operates 16 nursing facilities within the Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Saitama area. Watami's decision to buy RnoKAIGO was to strengthen its position in the nursing care business. While it is still a unique venture for a company mainly known for its long history in the food service industry, Watami has already made improvements including utilizing its food business expertise to improve the quality and cost structure of the nursing home food services.

Posted by Alisa at 10:51 AM | Permalink