Japanese Market News

In 2005, 1 out of 5 people in Japan expressed concerns related to sleeping. Beginning with sleep apnea syndrome, which first received major media exposure in Japan three years ago when a train driver was caught dozing at the controls of a bullet train, there has been a rise in the number of people who struggle with insomnia, restless leg syndrome, REM sleep Behavior Disorder, narcolepsy, and other sleep related problems. This trend has become a social problem resulting in an increase in the number of clinics and general hospitals specializing in the treatment of sleeping disorders. It is also a problem affecting businesses, especially the transporation industry, which now encourages sleep apnea syndrome examinations to assure that employees are sleeping well to avoid accidents that can lead to financial losses.

Behind many health problems is a large market responding to the needs of these consumers. Currently, the market in Japan for sleep related products and services are expected to rise to 100 billion yen. Matsushita Electric Works is one company that is aiming to develop products that will provide customers with an all-around solution, including electronics and bedding that will assist in solving sleeping problems.

Posted by Alisa at 08:46 AM | Permalink

With the increase in popularity of online trading, the real estate industry in Japan is hoping to also expand its business online. Recently, a real estate auction site opened with hopes to shift the industry from an area specific business to one that can cover a wider locale and satisfy a wider range of customers. Although the site is currently for resale only, visitors will find a 12 billion yen market with just the click of a mouse, from one room apartments to entire buildings.

Posted by Alisa at 08:50 AM | Permalink

Convenience stores have become an essential part of the everyday lives of people living in Japan. Starting out as a store for one-stop shopping for food and everyday necessities, these stores evolved to places where customers can pay utility bills, send packages and faxes, make photocopies, and do ATM transactions. However, the market has reached a point where convenience stores need to provide more to differentiate themselves from their competitors. In order to appeal to a wider variety of customers, some convenience stores have ventured into the 100-yen shop business where all or parts of their products are sold either at 100 or 99 yen. Many of these stores are also selling small portions of fruits and vegetables for the same price targeting singletons. Furthermore, some convenience stores are focusing their energies towards serving the growing number of health conscious urbanites and especially women. Natural Lawson, a part of the second largest convenience store chain Lawson Inc., is one example as these stores specialize in organic foods and natural products. On the other hand, Famima!!, which is part of the third largest convenience store chain Family Mart, is an example of a convenience store providing health and style with its selection of gourmet soups, sandwiches, pastas and everyday import items from around the world. ampm enta and Happily are the most recent examples of these specialty convenience stores by am/pm Japan, another one of the largest convenience store chains in Japan. ampm enta focuses on DVD rentals and books, while Happily sells items targeting women such as cosmetics, health foods, etc.

Posted by Alisa at 08:55 AM | Permalink

The food industry is one of many segments of Japanese business that is finding new ground overseas. While sushi, teriyaki, sukiyaki, and tempura were the obvious forerunners, Japanese chefs and food exporters are now challenging local tongues to a new face of Japanese food culture. The most obvious place to spot the new overseas activity is with the increasing number of Japanese restaurants opening left and right in various countries. In order to survive the fierce race for quality, chefs are introducing new Japanese dishes to the world. However, perhaps less known is the fact that more and more food exporters are stepping up to the challenge to export Japanese delicacies from fruits to seafood, targeting the increasing number of health conscious shoppers interested in such foods as miso, as well as the average shopper with more familiar foods such as apples and scallops. Importers from various countries are also currently flocking to Japan to find the next hit.

Posted by Alisa at 09:33 AM | Permalink

More and more men over 60 years old who have never been associated with cooking have recently been seen attending cooking classes and purchasing cookware at specialty stores. The main factor for the growing interest in cooking is that these men have retired and wish to find something productive to do with their free time. However, another contributing factor is that many feel they cannot keep on relying on other family members.

Although the number of 60-year-old men taking classes is still small compared to the number of female or younger students, schools are increasing the number of classes expecting the next wave of male retirees to become potential students. Along with these instructors are specialty shop owners who are stocking up on more cookware specifically targeting this group of male retirees. This is because these men are said to put more emphasis on quality and are willing to pay more regardless of how expensive an espresso machine or brand name copper saucepan costs. For example, with knives, particularly knives for soba (buckwheat noodles) making, those in the 30 to 40 thousand yen price range are selling more than those in the 5000 yen price range.

Posted by Alisa at 05:37 PM | Permalink