Japanese customers relying more on convenience stores as store numbers over 40,000 outlets in Japan

"(Convenience)outlets now number more than 40,000 throughout Japan. In July their customer count rose by 2.3 percent from a year before to 1.2 billion..the stores are becoming ever more embedded in Japanese society. First permitted to sell postal stamps in the 1980s, they now handle payments of various private and public bills — utilities, phone services, national health insurance — in startling amounts: ¥3.7 trillion at 7-Eleven and ¥1.5 trillion Lawson"



Source:Evolving convenience stores
EDITORIAL
Japan Times
Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ed20100905a2.html

Japanese customers love Yakisoba - Video shows you how to make it in English

Video by New York Times



Source:Yakisoba
Mark Bittman recreates an everyday Japanese fast food recipe.
New York Times
Accessed Sat September 4th, 2010
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/02/26/dining/1247467123167/yakisoba.html



More information: Yakisoba? click here

Japanese customers enjoy travelling with their virual girlfriends, video game users attracted by new tourism campaign

"In Love Plus, a Japanese dating simulation game, players experience young romance with a virtual girlfriend. Some have even taken their beloved avatars to an island resort -- a real island resort."



Love Plus - Software Dating Game click here for more information



Source: On Vacation With a Virtual Girlfriend
8/31/2010
Akiko Fujita
WSJ
http://online.wsj.com/video/on-vacation-with-a-virtual-girlfriend/77E0EACD-0B57-49DD-876A-5FF74EFF0781.html

Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show promotes Japanese womens fashion to the world

Video: By Diginfo News


Learn more about "Tokyo Girls Collection" here


Source: A Stadium Fashion Show for the Masses
By Kenneth Maxwell
WSJ
September 2, 2010
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2010/09/02/a-stadium-fashion-show-for-the-masses/?mod=rss_WSJBlog&mod=WSJ_Japan_JapanRealTime

Japanese customers spent 12.835 trillion yen at supermarkets in Japan in 2009

"Nationwide supermarket sales fell below 13 trillion yen last year for the first time in 21 years, according to the Japan Chain Stores Association. Adjusted for changes in the number of stores, supermarket sales fell 4.3% to 12.835 trillion yen last year, the 13th straight year of decline. Nationwide supermarket floor space has almost doubled over the past 20 years, however."


Source: Aeon's Interest in Carrefour Stores Reflects Struggles in Japan
By HIROYUKI KACHI
WSJ
Sept 2, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575467161661763770.html

Japanese customers see home loan rates hit all time lows to 2.06% down 0.17 %

"The minimum interest rate on Flat 35 long-term fixed-rate mortgages spanning 21-35 years will slide to 2.06% in September, the Japan Housing Finance Agency said Thursday.
The rate is down 0.17 percentage point from last month and beats the previous record low of 2.15% from May 2005. Flat 35 loans are offered jointly by the agency and private-sector financial institutions."



Source: Flat 35 Mortgage Rates To Hit All-Time Lows In Sept
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Nikkei
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20100902D02JFN01.htm

Japanese customers see the yen appreciate 28% against the US dollar since Sept 2008

"the yen’s 28 percent jump against the dollar since Sept. 1, 2008."


Source:Crying Wolf Has Price in World of Economic Pain: William Pesek
Sep 2, 2010
Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-01/crying-wolf-has-cost-in-world-of-growing-pain-commentary-by-william-pesek.html

Kaiseki food & its impact on Japanese customers & culture explored in English for western viewers

Source:Inside the kitchen of Japanese restaurant Kikunoi, as the chefs prepare part of the traditional fourteen course meal
TIME MAGAZINE
May 2010
http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,987399685_1721748,00.html


Read more about Kaiseki food here

Japanese customers flocking to Hawaii or Gold Coast to celebrate their marriage & wedding

"Since the marriage rate among Japan's shrinking population is falling and with many of the country's remaining lovebirds heading for Hawaii or Australia's Gold Coast"


Source: Only in Japan, Real Men Go to a Hotel With Virtual Girlfriends
Dating-Simulation Game a Last Resort For Honeymoon Town and Its Lonely Guests
SEPTEMBER 1, 2010
WSJ
By DAISUKE WAKABAYASHI
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451414209658940.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

Japanese customers cheer the testing of the new N700 shinkansen as it starts testing in Kyushu

"Test runs of new-model Shinkansen (N-700)bullet trains have begun on a new route connecting Kagoshima in southern Kyushu with major cities to the north...It was cheered as it pulled in to the station by about 100 railroad fans, who had been invited to a ceremony for the test runs... is scheduled to start operations on March 12th."


Watch video here
Source: New model shinkansen begins test runs in Kyushu
2010/08/31
NHK WORLD
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/31_18.html

Japanese customers may pay more for fossil fuels as new fuel tax mulled for financing new green technologies

"Under the current law, crude oil is taxed 2,040 yen, or $23.90, a kiloliter; liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas at 1,080 yen a metric ton; and thermal coal 700 yen a ton. Coking coal hasn't been, and won't be, taxed, as with all raw materials used in manufacturing."


Source: Japan Ponders Increasing Fuel Tax
By MARI IWATA
WSJ
AUGUST 30, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704323704575461324196275804.html

Japanese customers prefer western movies to be dubbed with Japanese voices, grow averse to reading subtitles

"The number of Western movies subtitled in Japanese is rapidly declining as 3-D movies become more common and viewers grow more averse to reading text on screen.
Instead, many theaters are opting to show films dubbed in Japanese...Nowadays, many Japanese viewers are complaining how difficult it is to read subtitles on screen, movie distributors said."




Source: Viewers of Western movies tiring of subtitles, prefer dubbed-voice versions
By SHINICHI SATAKE
Kyodo News
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100831f2.html

Japanese customers look to Google as the number one respected corporate brand in Japan according to Nikkei survey in 2010

"Google is now the most respected corporate brand in Japan, having overtaken Microsoft among consumers and business leaders in the Asian nation.Nikkei, the news service, surveyed 33,033 shoppers and 14,184 executives, asking them to rank companies in terms of image, product quality and the experience of using their goods."



Source: Google tops brand rankings in Japan
August 27, 2010
WARC
http://www.warc.com/News/TopNews.asp?ID=27164

Japanese customers outbound travel market estimated at 10 million in 2010

" There's an estimated 50 million outbound travelers from China in 2010, compared to just 10 million in Japan..Japan is still struggling with the slowing economy and strong yen, which makes it expensive for inbound travelers."


Source: Hotels.com Books More Growth in Asia
AUGUST 28, 2010
By AMY MA
WSJ
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575453143304720312.html

Nearly 66% of Japanese women under 34 celebrate Valentines day alone according to government statistics

“With women wielding increased economic clout and changing social attitudes toward marriage, more Japanese in their 20s and 30s are single than ever before. Government statistics show nearly two-thirds of women under the age of 34 are unmarried,”


Source: Japan's spouse hunters hone skills at marriage school
Toshi Maeda
Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:17pm EST
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A0WO20100311

Japanese customers enjoying New Zealand as tourists - valuable customers for tourism industry

"Japanese tourists help boost the New Zealand economy. They spend more than any other nationality - averaging NZD4,600 in expenditure per visitor. They're also highly satisfied tourists - rating our scenery, unspoiled environment and un-crowded spaces high on the list of things they appreciate about New Zealand as a holiday destination."


Source: Demand Triples for Japanese Charter Flights
19 August 2010
Tourism New Zealand
http://www.tourismnewzealand.com/news-and-features/news/demand-triples-for-japanese-charter-flights

100 yen campaigns in Kansai increase foot traffic from Japanese customers, some wonder if it can them happy?

"Merchants in the Kansai region have taken a hint from successful 100 yen shops and offered featured products for 100 yen on certain days...foot traffic rose 2.4 times on average with the 100 yen campaigns, with 90 percent of shops saying they had new customers...others remain cautious, saying attracting and keeping fickle customers is no easy task"




Source: Kansai malls turn to 100 yen sales
Hiroko Toda
Yomiuri Shimbun
Aug. 30, 2010
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100829001611.htm

Japan exported 2.8 billion dollars of food in 2009 up 18.2%, 70% to Asian countries

"The agriculture ministry says Japan exported about 2.8 billion dollars worth of fruit, fish, and processed food for the period, up 18.2 percent from the same period of last year.70 percent of the exports were to Asian countries.Hong Kong posted 697 million dollars, an increase of over 28 percent "



Source: Farm produce exports show 1st increase in 2 years
NHK WORLD
2010/08/29
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/29_13.html

Japanese customers rely on Japanese makers for carbon fiber products with 70% of world market

"At present, some 70 percent of the world carbon fiber market is held by three Japanese makers -- Toray Industries, Inc., Teijin, and Mitsubishi Rayon Co....According to private research firm Fuji-Keizai, in 2013 the global carbon fiber market is expected to be worth 148 billion yen, or about twice the total for 2009"


Source: Japanese textile firms see big future in cutting-edge carbon fiber
August 29, 2010
Mainichi News
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20100828p2a00m0na023000c.html

Japanese customers take note of more safety barriers on railway platforms

"The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry has urged rail operators to install the barriers at some 2,800 stations, which have more than 5,000 passengers a day.But the huge cost of installation and differences in the models of carriages—some have six doors while others four—have prevented the introductions."



Source: Barriers on railway platforms installed at 449 stations
Sunday 29th August,2010
Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/barriers-on-railway-platforms-installed-at-449-stations

Number of Japanese customers who have visited Tokyo Disney & Disney Sea hits the 500 million mark

"The number of visitors to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea hit 500 million Friday, said Oriental Land Co, which operates the amusement parks...Tokyo Disneyland opened in April 1983. The number of visitors reached 100 million in 1991 and 200 million in 1997. Tokyo DisneySea opened next to Tokyo Disneyland in September 2001, and the combined number of visitors to both parks reached 300 million in 2002 and 400 million in 2006."

Source: No. of visitors to Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea hits 500 million
Saturday 28th August,2010
Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/no-of-visitors-to-tokyo-disneyland-disneysea-hits-500-million

What are the top five factors Japanese customers focus on when selecting a mobile phone?

1. Carrier
2. Price
3. Phone Features
4. Phone Design
5. Phone Maker

Based on survey 2007


Source: Mobile phone devices, selection & culture compared - Japan, USA, China
Japan Consumer Marketing Research Institute
Accessed Friday August 27, 2010
http://www.jmr-marketing.com/user/allcontent.php?id=71

New no alcohol beer boom excites Japanese customers back to beer category

Video : Click here



Source: In the Spotlight: Guilt-free Beer Boom
Aug. 24, 2010
NHK World
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/movie/feature52.html



Check our recent review of the new no alcohol, no calorie


- Asahi - W - zero here

Japanese customers may soon benefit from oceanic created energy

"The government plans to build an offshore power-generation plant in fiscal 2012 to harness oceanic energy, with commercialization scheduled for as early as fiscal 2016 ...a joint venture with the industrial and academic sectors--will use oceanic energy such as wave power and marine currents to generate electricity...could provide generation capacity of 30 million kilowatts to 50 million kilowatts, or the equivalent of the combined capacity of dozens of nuclear power plants."



Source: Offshore power plant blueprint unveiled
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Aug. 26, 2010
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T100825005146.htm

Japanese customers getting more smoke free restaurants as chains slowly update old stores

"Royal Holdings Co. will renovate more than 60 percent of its 280 Royal Host family restaurants nationwide by the end of 2011. It will scrap smoking sections at the renovated stores and ban smoking entirely."



Source: Most new McDonalds' outlets to ban smoking
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
2010/08/09
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201008080153.html

Japanese customers futon dusting upsets neighbour & is fined 1 million yen

"The Osaka District Court on Aug. 24 ordered a 63-year-old woman to pay 1 million yen in damages to her 72-year-old male next-door neighbor after years of bothering him with noise by hitting futons...The two residences' outer walls are only a meter apart at their closest...A settlement was reached on conditions including that the woman would not hit futons more than twice a day, would not hit for 10 minutes or longer at a time, and would not hit between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m...However, even after the settlement, the woman continued to hit futons more than the agreed upon number of times. When the man complained, she is said to have responded, "If you don't like it, go away," and hit the futons even more loudly."


Source: Woman ordered to pay damages to neighbor over noise from hitting futons
Mainichi Japan
August 25, 2010
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20100825p2a00m0na016000c.html

Japan's IT investment slowed in last ten years compared to other industrial nations according to report

"Japan's investment in information and communications technology has grown at the slowest pace among 10 high-tech countries, a study by the Internal Affairs Ministry shows."



Source:
Japan Slowest In IT Spending Growth: Ministry
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Nikkei
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20100823D23JFA11.htm

Number of Japanese customers over 70 and still driving more than 6 million at end of 2009

"..drivers 70 or older, ..there were about
6.26 million at the end of 2009."



Source:Elderly Driver ID Sticker Revised Amid Criticism
The Nikkei
Thursday, August 19, 2010
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20100819D19EE941.htm

Honda hopes to win Japanese customers with a 140 mile per gallon eco friendly car in the future

"Honda is aiming for fuel economy of 60km per liter (approximately 141 miles per gallon) or higher for its plug-in hybrids. Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid..offers milage of 57km per liter"


Source: Honda Sees Fuel Economy As Key In Battle With Toyota
Monday, August 16, 2010
Nikkei
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20100816D16HH587.htm