Japanese Market News

Japan as the New �it� Product

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:29:31 +0900

Within these past few years not only has there been an increase in number of tourists coming to Japan but there has been an increase in interest in the general Japanese public to market towards these tourists. Many newspapers and magazines articles have been written on how travel agencies, accommodations, restaurants, theme parks, tourist destinations, shops of all ranges in Japan are working together and hard to understand their new market, meet their needs, and find more potential.

Japanese locals in the more rural parts of Japan were less enthusiastic about opening up to foreign customers in the past, are now actively seeking consultation on how best to accommodate these new foreign customers coming from all over the globe.

New tours, services, products, signs, job positions have been created due to these changes in the industry and more is yet to come.

Oil Prices and Pasta in Japan

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:26:57 +0900

Increase in oil prices has had a detrimental effect on Japanese businesses such as well known Italian restaurant chain Saizeriya. Famous for their low prices such as their 299 yen pasta, this family restaurant among others are rethinking their business strategies and planning on closing a few stores in selected suburban areas and instead reopening in shopping centers.

Business Hints Hiding Outside of Tokyo

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:53:27 +0900

Beginning with the growing popularity of the Himitsu no Kenmin Show, a Japanese television show featuring celebrities representing various prefectures in Japan to discuss local curiosities such as dialect, customs, and foods, there has been an increase in interest among the Japanese population to learn more about these previously overlooked regions. The focus has always been on Tokyo but now there has been a slight shift in thought and even among the younger population, hidden treasures are thought to be hiding beyond the metropolises. Various books featuring prefecture specific facts and trivia have been published and have been selling well. Local cuisine has been an especially hot topic, now with annual events such as the B-1 Grand Prix where local restaurants compete with their regional cuisines. Though these various regional differences which are finally being exposed to the general public, new product ideas and business opportunities are being found.

Putting the Premium in Donuts and More

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:52:46 +0900

Donuts have not been a highlight of the Japanese diet until these past few years when donut stores from abroad began to popup all over in the streets of Tokyo. With the introduction of gourmet donut shops, the local donut shops which were already popular now needed to compete fiercely with the newcomers against their new �premium� style of donuts and services. More stores with stylish interior and higher quality donuts began to popup in response. As a result a whole market has evolved with a new range of customers that were never before considered to be part of the target market which consisted of more children and teenagers. Similar trends have been occurring in every sector of the Japanese market with products from soft drinks, desserts, to running wear, premium products have been developed to include unlikely targets for previously unrelated products.

Buying Their Way To Relaxation

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:51:56 +0900

Well known companies such as the tea manufacturer Lipton Yellow Label Tea, have successfully survived the market for decades for various reasons including continuous changes in package design. However, advertising the relaxation benefits of L-Theanine. which can be found in tea, was the cause of a major boost in sales especially in this generation where people in Japan buy their way to relaxation with bath salts and herbal teas. Of course the basics such as improvements on flavor cannot be ignored especially in a country with consumers as picky as in Japan.

Spa Popularity Reach New Levels

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:47:26 +0900

Popularity for spas has reached a new level with the opening of a spa theme park in March in Tokyo. The various spas that will be introduced into the complex will each have a country theme. One spa might have an Israeli theme providing massages using Dead Sea salt. Another with an Indian theme may provide Ayurveda massages and so forth. With more women in Japan investing money on health and beauty, the popularity for spas continues to expand beyond facilities with an endless line of bath and beauty products found in every corner of shopping areas all across Japan.

Next Generation of Freezing Technologies

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:51:10 +0900

Frozen food technology in Japan has evolved these past twenty years allowing the market to multiply. Especially with the introduction of techniques that allow for rapid freezing, ingredients no longer loose its flavor during the freezing process. Last year a refrigerator was introduced with a special cooling technique that kept vegetables in the freezer fresher than ever before. These new freezing technologies have also helped in preserving the quality of food being delivered throughout the country. This includes your standard delivery of seafood to specially made food for diabetic patients.

The New Generation of Gaming

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:42:36 +0900

Nintendo has changed the face of the gaming industry in recent years attracting the interest of people who never thought twice about gaming such as women and the elderly and forming a new market. With new products such as the Wii Fit, created to encourage families to exercise together, possibilities for the gaming industry have expanded beyond the realms of what was previously dominated by companies such as Square Enix, the makers of popular games such as the Final Fantasy series. Following in the footsteps of the Brain Age game by Nintendo, a puzzle game to help keep the brain active targeting the elderly, a game targeting casual wine drinkers interested in learning more about wine tasting and etiquette via quizzes was recently introduced. Game creators are even finding an audience in the medical field where doctors are discovering that certain games are an effective way of motivating the elderly to keep up with their rehabilitation routines.

Invest in Japanese Modern Art

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:38:59 +0900

Modern art in Japan reached a new level when Takashi Murakami and Yoshimoto Nara artwork were sold in the millions at an auction held in New York early this year. Pricing in the art world was once controlled by the western world but now Asian art dealers have more of a presence and voice in order to achieve their goal of promoting modern Asian art to the world. With the rising number of wealthy potential clients willing to purchase modern art for investment, this is a perfect time for the Japanese art industry to flourish.

No Secret Formula to Popularity

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:45:31 +0900

These past few years zoos and aquariums have experienced a surge in popularity which all began with the country�s new found fascination with Asahiyama Zoo located in a rural area in northern Japan. There is no secret magical formula to what the zoo did to increase visitors. The core reason behind its popularity lies in the zoo�s layout which was redeveloped so the animals were not just caged and displayed but redesigned so visitors can interact with the animals. Other changes include increase in number of animals and the addition of night time hours which was unexpectedly popular among the public. Zoos and aquariums across Japan followed suit and as a result have experienced its share of popularity.

Extreme Micro Trends in Japan

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:48:53 +0900

Extreme ironing is an extreme sport or a performance art that began in England where participants take an ironing board and iron a few pieces of clothing at a remote location such as a side of a mountain or while doing a sport like snowboarding. Though it is debatable whether or not this is a sport and if its popularity will last, nevertheless its Japanese media coverage has increased within these past few weeks due to Japanese enthusiasts who are currently preparing for the upcoming international extreme ironing competition.

It's Raining Rain Boots

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:09:54 +0900

Rain boots are the rage not just on rainy days but even when the sun is shining. They are now a hot fashion item and are selling well among young women in Japan. The trend trickled down from celebrities who wore their rain boots in front of the cameras, and more and more manufacturers even in Japan are developing their own designer rain shoes, bringing much variety to a market previously unheard of.

A Large Market Yearning for Health

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:57:57 +0900

Leading a healthy lifestyle has always been important in Japan, but recently it has reached a new level and become fashionable. Though old news to some, health and beauty products with collagen are advertised and pop up everywhere, targeting women who are yearning for perfect skin. Fad diets have always been around, but now there are more and more fad exercises. The most recent highly publicized and popular import fad exercise is Billy�s Boot Camp. As for sports, the rage right now is running, and although not everyone is catching on, many running related products are gaining interest among those who never before thought of it as a sport. Women are the main target for these new exercises and sports as they are the main consumers. Interestingly enough, in a country where vegetarianism and veganism never really caught on and is still struggling for exposure, the macrobiotic lifestyle has recently received a lot of press. Mineral water has as well, even among a population whom once saw no reason to pay for water when it was always available for �free.�

Japan Wants You

Fri, 18 May 2007 09:49:00 +0900

Up until now it was rare for the travel industry in Japan to aggressively target visitors from abroad. However, there has been a recent rise in interest not only within the travel industry but from beyond to provide opportunities for visitors to experience a more in-depth view of Japan.

An example of tours that provide this deeper view of Japan is one that delves into the world of sumo. Participants watch the wrestlers practice in the morning, try a little sumo, and eat chankonabe, a special hotpot that sumo wrestlers often eat.

At a more local level there is a sushi restaurant that allows visitors to make sushi. After the lesson participants have a greater appreciation for the art since they can taste the difference in professionally made sushi. Another example is aimed at those who wish to experience Old Tokyo for cheap by staying at guest houses with themed rooms that are decorated with a hint of Edo. For a modern alternative, capsule hotels and comic cafes are also gaining popularity as a place to stay replacing your average hotel.

When Smaller Sells

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:40:40 +0900

In countries where bicycles are an important means of transportation yet space is always a limitation, Marunaka�s portable bike Carry Me is great news. A manufacturer in Taiwan developed this product which folds up to become 30 cm in width, 114cm in height, and 21cm in depth (minus the pedals). This compact size is extremely convenient for those looking for the perfect solution to avoid not only bicycle theft but those living in confined spaces. Not only is it small but very light at only 7.9 kilos. Currently they are sold in Japan in six colors at a little less than 600 US dollars.