Japanese Customer: Want to attract Japanese students - focus on teaching quality - new UK study reveals

"Japanese students placed the greatest emphasis on teaching quality".
The market research firm i-graduate quizzed 54,836 students from 221 countries studying in 71 UK universities late last year.(2007)




Source: Why I chose the University of Wherever,
Students no longer care much which country they are studying in. As long as the course is excellent. Jessica Shepherd reports
Tuesday February 5, 2008
The Guardian
http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/news/story/0,,2252373,00.html

Japanese Customer: The importance of cross culturally knowledgeable staff in international education management

Photo: Japanese green tea

"However, some .. colleges do not have the cross-cultural expertise to relate to the cultural needs of these (international) students "

Source: International education: Understanding, assessing modern trends
By Joe M. Thomas.
Advertiser-tribune.com,
November 4, 2007.
http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/page/
content.detail/id/501214.html?nav=5004#membercmts501214

Book:


Learn more about Green Tea and its cancer fighting abilities

Japanese Customer: Book: Living and Teaching English: Table of Contents

Living and Teaching English in Japan 





Table of Contents


1. Introduction

2. Japan as a destination

3. What to expect

4. Japanese culture

5. How to prepare

6. Teaching English

7. Picking the right company

8. Work

9. Living Skills

10. Resources to help you

11. Money Saving Tips

12. Going Home

13. Conclusion

14. Internet sites

Japanese Customer: Book: Living & Teaching English in Japan- Video

Living and Teaching English in Japan


 by


JapaneseCustomer.com

What to expect, how to prepare and get the most out of the experience.



Video - What is in the book




To play the video, press the play button on the monitor
and wait a moment for the video to load.

Learn more about Japan at JapaneseCustomer.com

Japanese Customer: Book: Living & Teaching English in Japan: Reviews

Living and Teaching English in Japan 


by JapaneseCustomer.com







Review

“(JapaneseCustomer.com) has written an extremely useful and practical guide to finding work and living in Japan. The sections based on ..personal experience are excellent”

Julie Devine
Japanese Language Teachers Association of Victoria, Australia



Review

"I attended (the) one day course and bought the book at the end of the course."


Jody Simpson
Teacher, Melbourne, Australia





Learn more about travel in Japan at Motorcycle Japan

Japanese consumers may soon be overtaken by Chinese consumers as their wealth increases according to study

"the Chinese consumer could dethrone Japan from another accolade in the next few years, according to a new report by Credit Suisse...China could more than double to $35 trillion by 2015 from $16.5 trillion at the moment. China currently is third in terms of the total share of global wealth after the U.S. and Japan, at $54.6 trillion and $21 trillion respectively"


Source: China to Overtake Japan in Global Wealth Rankings?
October 8, 2010,
WSJ
Isabella Steger
China Real Time Report
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/10/08/china-to-overtake-japan-in-global-wealth-rankings/tab/print/

Japanese Customer: Christmas in Japan - a Japanese Customers perspective

Photo: Japanese Xmas tree decorations

"We import American culture," she said. Christmas gift giving isn't done as much as it is here (USA), but is done. Because most people in Japan are either Buddhist or Shinto, there isn't the same religious element to Christmas that there is here (USA), Sayo Nakamura, 20, a sophomore from Japan.


Source:Saturday, Campus becomes quiet at Christmas,
By DON GRONNING,December 8, 2007,http://www.kvnews.com
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2007/12/08/news/doc475a2b34cd3ab125382501.txt

Japanese Customer: What foods do Japanese consumers like to eat in summer - Survey results reveal new insights

Photo: Hiyashi Chuka (a cold noodle and vegetable treat enjoyed in summer)

Summertime in Japan is long & hot. Starting in July and extending in mid September.It is characterized by high humidity (80% plus), strong sunshine and little shade. Train companies delay the use of fans and air conditioners until the the official dates of summer begins leaving commuting passengers hot and bothered for months during this trying time on the Japanese calender.

So what foods do Japanese customers like to eat during summer?


1. Hiyashi Chuka (cold noodle and vegetables) 62.26%
2. Somen/cold thin noodles & hiyamugi/ cold barley tea 24.53%
3. Cold zaru or udon noodles 13.19%

Answers from 20 respondents or less
Cold pasta, unagi (smoked eel), cold ramen, cold tomato, cold cooked corn, edamame(soybeans in pod) and cold tofu with grated ginger, garlic & soy sauce

Source: PADO, survey.No 996, page 16, July, 2008
562 women respondents aged 20 to 50 years of age.



Comment:

Cold noodles are very popular because they are refreshing, light and taste great. They also take little effort to make and can be easily bought pre made from convenience stores very cheaply. So in summer Japanese traditional favourite dishes dominate the rankings with noodles a clear winner. Noodles are healthy, natural and are often eaten with shiso, green leaf vegetables and tomatoes.

Green Tea is a great drink to enjoy with cold noodles in summer

Learn more about Green Tea & its abilities

Book:

Japanese Customer: Japan's foreign reserves hit $1 trillion in March

Photo: celebrating fireworks in Japan

"Japan's foreign currency exchange reserves hit yet
 another record high of $1.015 trillion at the end of March..."

Source: Kyodo News, April 7th, 2008
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=372104

" equity returns a year between 1950 and 1990 were 14 percent for Japan against 7.7 percent for the US" Paul Keating

" ..real equity returns a year between 1950 and 1990 were 14 percent for Japan against 7.7 percent for the US. Virtually double the return on equity for 40 consecutive years"

"

Paul Keating - Ex Labour Prime Minister, Australia

Source: After Words: The Post- Prime Ministerial Speeches by P. J. Keating

Edited extracts

A Plus

The Australian newspaper,

Monday 24th October, 2011

Page 1

Japanese customers see education costs in Japan rise according to recent survey

"The average education cost of some 5,400 families with school-age and older children that gave valid responses to a survey in July was 1,982,000 yen, up 52,000 yen from the previous year, boosting their ratio to household income, which is declining amid a sluggish economy, from 33.7%, Japan Finance Corp. said.


Source: Education burdens on rise among Japanese families
Sunday 21st November, 04:57 AM JST
Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/education-burdens-on-rise-among-japanese-families

Japanese manufacturing bosses see five factors impacting on Japan's competitiveness in 2010

"Question: Japan's competitiveness in the global market keeps falling. Why is this happening?

Answer: There are five factors I am concerned about: a declining birthrate, a stronger yen, a high corporate tax rate, economic partnership agreements and free trade agreements with other countries and trends in labor and environmental regulations. In particular, if the birthrate continues to fall, the domestic market will shrink even more and stagnate. It will translate into a smaller production base and much higher labor costs because of ballooning social security costs. "

Source: Sharp boss: Firms need policy help
BY MANABU NAGASHIMA AND HIDEAKI ISHIYAMA
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
2010/10/27
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201010260367.html

Young Japanese students protest Japanese companies hiring processes

" College students hoping to start careers in April 2012 stage a protest Tuesday — Labor Thanksgiving Day — in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, to denounce companies that place unreasonable demands on job-hunters."


Source: Students stage rally to protest time-consuming job-search 'farce'
By KAZUAKI NAGATA
The Japan Times
Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20101124a3.html

Young Japanese workers reluctant to working abroad and show greater resistance according to survey

"..Mitsubishi Corp. was involved in a September survey that highlighted resistance from Japan’s young workers to the notion of being sent abroad: An overwhelming 70% of junior-level respondents said they didn’t want to go overseas. "


Source: Go Overseas, Young Mitsubishi Workers
November 22, 2010
WSJ
By Yoree Koh
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2010/11/22/go-overseas-young-mitsubishi-workers/

Japanese customers see Japanese manufacturers rush to Asia for lower costs - wages in Thailand up to one fifth of Japan

"The trend toward more production in Asia has further accelerated in recent months due to the steep appreciation of the yen as manufacturers scramble to take advantage of lower labor costs and greatly improved manufacturing skills in Asian countries such as Thailand, whose wages are about one-fifth of those in Japan."

Source: As Japan's auto assembly moves overseas, parts firms follow
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
2010/10/19
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201010180317.html

Japanese Customers set to see the worlds most fuel efficient car next month when Toyota reveals new Aqua estimated to get 35 km's per litre

"According to Toyota, the fuel efficiency of its Aqua subcompact hybrid car will be about 35 kilometers per liter of gasoline. The Toyota Prius can travel 32.6 kilometers per liter... It is expected to cost about 1.6 million yen to 1.7 million yen."

Source:New Toyota hybrid 'most fuel-efficient'

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Nov. 16, 2011

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T111115005446.htm

Japanese customers would boost Australia's trade with Japan by $39 billion according to estimates

"Proponents argue that a trade deal with Japan would boost Australia's GDP by $39 billion over 20 years"

Source: Japan pulls pin on trade pact news

World

By Rick Wallace

The Australian

Friday Novemeber, 11, 2011, page 12

Japanese customers mull TPP and the advantages for joining as other countries scramble to make trade deals

"According to METI, nonparticipation in the TPP would mean that Japan would not be able to liberalize specific items with the European Union and China, while South Korea rushed in the breach to promote liberalization with major countries. ."Japan would become a virtually closed country," a METI official said. "



Source: Estimates on joining TPP extreme / METI says nonparticipation would close country; farm ministry sees ruin for farmers
Koichi Uetake and Akihito Teramura / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers
Yomiuri Shimbun
Oct. 29, 2010
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T101028005013.htm

" one could have invested in Japan..for over 40 years and..outperformed all other markets" Paul Keating

" ...one could have invested in Japan and kept all one's investments there for 40 years and still outperformed all other markets"

Paul Keating - Ex Labour Prime Minister, Australia

Source: After Words: The Post- Prime Ministerial Speeches by P. J. Keating
Edited extracts
A Plus
The Australian newspaper,
Monday 24th October, 2011
Page 1

Japanese customers found to be the most connected mobile users in the world according to comscore survey

"Mobile users in Japan were the “most connected” of the three markets, with more than 75 percent using connected media (browsed, accessed applications or downloaded content).. ....compared to 43.7 percent in the U.S. and 38.5 percent in Europe. "


Source: Japan Mobile Audience “Most Connected” with 3 of 4 Users Accessing Mobile Media in June
Comscore
October 7, 2010
http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2010/10/comScore_Release_First_Comparative_Report_on_Mobile_Usage_in_Japan_United_States_and_Europe

"The Digital Content Association of Japan ..survey... says the market amounted to about 147 billion dollars last year, down about 6 percent from the previous year. ... decline was most conspicuous in music CDs, down 19 percent year-on-year. Game software was also down by 16 percent... One area of revenue growth was concert tickets, up 1.2 percent from the previous year."



Source:Japan's digital content market shrinks
2010/10/08
NHK WORLD NEWS
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/08_10.html

Young Japanese customers seen to be more inward looking and risk averse according to social analysts

"Many social analysts are concerned that while the young people of other countries are highly motivated to be involved as global workers and citizens, Japanese young people are much more inwardly-directed and are content to focus on simply attaining and maintaining a safe and secure job at home."


Source:New Year, New Students
October 6th, 2010
Temple University Japan
Deans update
http://www.tuj.ac.jp/about/dean/index.html

Japanese customers aged 65 or above now make up 23 percent of the total population, the highest in the world

"Those (Japanese customers) aged 65 or above numbered about 29.246 million, accounting for 23.0 percent of the total population, up from 20.2 percent in the last census. The rate at which Japan is aging remained among the highest in the world."


Source: Population stat positive, but via foreigner influx
Japan Times
Friday, Oct. 28, 2011
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111028a2.html

Japanese customers growing trend of eating alone according to study and new film

"There is a growing trend toward eating alone. This increase in solitary eating leads to consumption of fast or instant foods, basically junk. Amazingly, some students are said to eat lunch in toilets to avoid being seen eating alone."

Source: Film festival to focus on interaction between food, people
BY EIKO AOKI STAFF WRITER
2010/10/29
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201010280300.html

Japanese customers enjoy the convenience of vending machines, it is estimated that Coke has approximately one million vending machines alone in Japan according to research

"Vending machines are used most in Japan, where they sell just about anything one can think of, involving beer, hot food, ice cream, cameras and so on. Coke alone has 1 million vending machines alone in Japan"








Source:
Chapter 12, page 352
International Marketing

By Dana Nicoletta Lascu

2008. Atomic DOg, Cengage Learning

Mason, Ohio, USA

ISBN:978-1-4266-2752-1

Summer heat wave in summer 2010 saw record online sales

"Tokyu Store Corp. saw the number of online orders received daily jump 15-20% on the month in July."


Source: Heat Wave Turning More People Into Stay-At-Home Online Shoppers
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Nikkei
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20100803D03HH609.htm

Japanese customers instantly recognize Yakult brand by unique bottle design according to court ruling

"A Japanese court has approved the registering of the bottle of the Japanese lactic acid drink, Yakult, as a trademark.....almost all Japanese think of the drinks brand when they see the container."



Source: Court approves Yakult bottle as trademark
2010/11/16
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/society.html

"Japan's equity markets... turned out to be the best in the world for four straight decades" Paul Keating

"Japan's equity markets, despite all the early risks of investing in them, turned out to be the best in the world for four straight decades: the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and 1980's"

Paul Keating - Ex Labour Prime Minister, Australia

Source: After Words: The Post- Prime Ministerial Speeches by P. J. Keating
Edited extracts
A Plus
The Australian newspaper,
Monday 24th October, 2011
Page 1

Japanese customer numbers set to decline as population predicted to decline to below 90 million in fifty years according to research

"Japan's population, which peaked at 128 million in 2004, is falling. If current trends continue, it will drop below 90 million within 50 years and fall by two-thirds to 40 million within 100 years ."


Source: The Future of Japan’s Immigration Policy: a battle diaryBy Sakanaka HidenoriIntroduction by Andrew Taylor and David McNeill
Translation by Andrew J. I. Taylor
http://www.japanfocus.org/-Sakanaka-Hidenori/2396

Japanese customers reduce travel to Australia as relationship changes

"...Australia's relationship with Japanese tourists,

the numbers of which peaked in the mid 1990s

but have been going downhill since."

Source: Aussie sun loses shine for Japanese tourists

MARTIN KELLY

The Australian November 12, 2011

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/property/aussie-sun-loses-shine-for-japanese-tourists/story-fn9656lz-1226190450330

Japanese customers have lived for a 1000 years as a single ethnic group

"The native Japanese have lived as a single ethnic group for nearly 1000 years and it will be a difficult task for them to build friendly relationships with other ethnic groups."

Source: The Future of Japan’s Immigration Policy: a battle diary
By Sakanaka Hidenori
Introduction by Andrew Taylor and David McNeill
Translation by Andrew J. I. Taylor
http://www.japanfocus.org/-Sakanaka-Hidenori/2396

Japanese customers are ageing and that means fewer commodoties according to trading house chairman

"Japan's population is aging, which means it will need fewer of the commodities that are the cornerstone of Itochu's business"

Interview with Eizo Kobayashi, chairman of Itochu Corp.

Source:Itochu Targets China, Other Emerging Markets for Growth
David Winning
WSJ
NOVEMBER 14, 2010
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703560504575611742855331482.html

Japanese customers see record number of Japanese companies set up in China

"Teikoku Databank said a total of 10,778 companies have entered the Chinese market, including 3,547 firms, or 32.9%, that have 10 to 49 employees and 2,608, or 24.2%, with less than 10 employees. Firms capitalized at 10 million yen or more and those under 50 million yen made up 51.4% of the total. ..By industry, manufacturers made up the biggest proportion at 42.2% of the total, followed by wholesalers at 35%.




Source:Over 10,000 Japanese firms operating in China: credit research firm
Sunday 24th October,2010
Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/over-10000-japanese-firms-operating-in-china-credit-research-firm

Japanese customers get the best choice of food in the world particularly in Tokyo with the most three star michelin restaurants

"Tokyo, Japan.. it's number one. Head and shoulders. The Japanese capital now has more three-Michelin-starred restaurants than any city in the world, but it's the amazing casual dining that should have you salivating. From ramen noodles to tempura to soba to sushi to the small plates of awesomeness dished out by any dodgy neighbourhood izakaya every day of the week, Tokyo rules."

Source: The world's best cities for foodies
November 9, 2011 - 2:20PM
Ben Groundwater
The AGE newspaper
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/blogs/the-backpacker/the-worlds-best-cities-for-foodies-20111108-1n5cb.html#ixzz1dBkfZClm

"In Japan....output per capita rose to a peak of 90 percent of US output in 1990" Paul Keating

"In Japan....output per capita rose to a peak of 90 percent of US output in 1990"

Paul Keating - Ex Labour Prime Minister, Australia

Source: After Words: The Post- Prime Ministerial Speeches by P. J. Keating
Edited extracts
A Plus
The Australian newspaper,
Monday 24th October, 2011
Page 1

Google becomes major search engine for Japanese customers in December 2010 as deal with Yahoo draws on Google Japanese search expertise

"Their tie-up (Google & Yahoo) will allow them to almost monopolize domestic Internet search services. Yahoo Japan will also adopt Google’s search-linked advertisement distribution system.... Given Google’s established Japanese-language search technology.”


Source: Yahoo Japan says it will adopt Google's search technology
Wednesday 28th July,2010
Japan Times
http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/yahoo-japan-says-it-will-adopt-googles-search-technology

Japanese alcohol maker buys right to play its tune at Tokyo subway station to attract more drinkers to brand

“ Suntory has paid JR for to change Shimbashi Station’s melody to a tune used in its whisky highball commercials. They picked Shimbashi because it is known as a hub for Tokyo’s salarymen, who are known as big consumers of alcohol. The tune will catch the attention of commuters”.



Source: Shimbashi Station Gets Whisky Highball Melody
Posted by James - July 27, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Japanprobe.com
www.japanrobe.com

Japanese male customers purchased 17% more skincare products in 2008 to 17.6 billion yen

“Sales of men’s skincare products jumped 17 percent to 17.6 billion yen ($196 million) in 2008, compared with a 0.2 percent industrywide to 1.51 trillion yen, according to the most recent trade ministry data...... “There is a desire among men to look more beautiful,” she said.”



Source: ‘Feminized’ Japanese Men Boost Kao Sales as Women Pamper Less
January 26, 2010
By Naoko Fujimura
Bloomberg
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-26/-feminized-japanese-men-boost-kao-sales-as-women-pamper-less.html

Japanese social withdrawal increasing according to research - hikikomori - serious social problem

“A government survey finds that nearly 700,000 young Japanese are believed to engage in "hikikomori", where people isolate themselves to avoid interaction with others...Asked why they began to avoid human interaction, 23.7 percent of the hikikomori sufferers said they failed to fit in at their workplaces, 20.3 percent said they couldn't find employment, and 11.9 percent said they had a problem with school truancy....Asked about memories of their time at elementary and junior high schools, 55.9 percent said they often had to exercise patience, and 42.4 percent said they were bullied by schoolmates.”


Source: 700,000 Japanese suffering from "hikikomori"
2010/07/24
http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/24_11.html

Japanese customers see yen rise to new highs against US dollar BOJ intervenes with 7 trillion yen injection

"Japan made another effort to rein in the rise of its currency, by selling an estimated ¥7 trillion ($89.7 billion)."

Source:The Economist

Business this week

Thursday, November 3rd 2011

Japanese customers see the Honda Civic brand declining as new brands grow

"the Civic’s declining popularity is a testament to how much space is coveted in Japan, especially on its narrow roadway and snug garages. While it launched as a small car in Japan, it may have outgrown its convenience."

Source:Honda’s Civic Joyride Wheezes to Close in Japan
By Yoree Koh
WSJ
November 16, 2010
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2010/11/16/hondas-civic-joyride-wheezes-to-close-in-japan/

Online shopping in Japan by Japanese customers is a $US5.5 billion market

"Online shopping is a $5.5 billion market and represents about 3 percent of Japan's domestic retail market."


Source: Japanese Shoppers Loosen Up Online
After a post-quake lull, luxury site Gilt Japan sees near-record sales
By Diane Brady
Business Week
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_17/b4225042150965.htm

"by 1955 Japan had a per capita output at 20 per cent of US output" Paul Keating in his new b

"Having industrialised earlier in the 20th century, by 1955 Japan had a per capita output at 20 per cent of US output. This is exactly where China is today"

Paul Keating - Ex Labour Prime Minister, Australia

Source: After Words: The Post- Prime Ministerial Speeches by P. J. Keating
Edited extracts
A Plus
The Australian newspaper,
Monday 24th October, 2011
Page 1