"Tired" tourism facilities impacts Australia's chances to attract Asian travellers

Picture: Japanese traveller 

"The "tiredness" of aging tourism facilities is deterring newly wealthy Asian travellers"

Source: "Worn out tourism sites put Asians off

By Annabel Hepworth

The Australian Newspaper

Tuesday March 11th 2013, page 18

Video: High Definition Japanese Television Commercials 2014 in Japanese

Source:

Japanese TV Commercials [ 2014 weeks 05 & 06 ]

JPCMHD You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gr_Fy_NIog

Domino's Pizza Chief Australia , ¨Japan has well & truly exceeded our expectations¨ Don Meij

Video: Japanese Customer pizza menu
Source: Jcustomer you tube channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4XC0dZ9Hug&list=UUTyrvyAS6Cja3cfggRRSK_w&feature=c4-overview

¨Japan has well and truly exceeded our expectations...we have gained further knowledge of the competitive landscape in Japan...the Japanese managers are quick to adapt and to make decisions¨

Don Meij , Domino's Pizza Chief

Source: Extra toppings for Domino's

By Tim Boreham, Criterion

The Australian Newspaper

Thursday February 13rh 2014, page 19 and 23

Video: Japanese Customer Television Commercials 2014

Please note video is in Japanese

Source:

Japanese TV Commercials [ 2014 weeks 03 & 04 ] 

JPCMHD 

You Tube Channel 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdzkwo9XA7s&list=PLBCA0F10FE6785BE6&feature=c4-overview-vl

Video: What is Omotenashi? Japanese Customer Service at its best

Video: Omotenashi, Japanese Hospitality

Source: Prime Ministers Office of Japan,

 You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xlf-gQZa3Y

Why are Japanese tourists not drawn to visiting Australia & UK?

" The UK fails to rank in the top ten favourite destinations for ...Japanese travellers, a new study shows......Japanese with five leisure trips and an average spend of $4,800;The study ...pointed to Asian travellers’ preference for independent travel and high-quality holiday experiences...The study showed that 84% of Asian travellers say the first thing they would do when they reach a café/restaurant or hotel is to check for free wi-fi."

This correlates with our recent post showing that Australia is also having trouble attracting Japanese tourists with numbers down 6 percent in November 2012

Questions:

1. What are the key factors in attracting Japanese tourists?

2. Do countries have the expertise, budgets and staff to best support this customer base?

3. How can UK and Australia improve their tourism marketing?

Source: UK not in Chinese travellers' top ten

By Phil Davies

16 January 2014

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2014/01/16/46644/uk+not+in+chinese+travellers+top+ten.html

Video: Lean Marketing - Japanese Vending Machines

Source: 

Japan Vending Machines are AWESOME 日本の自販機すごい！

Sharla in Japan, You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqDUbVSJKvE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLKYxoRPvyuVsyndGVk82eM8mDYBcVrPYr

Learn more: 

Vending Machines: Coined Consumerism

by Christopher D. Salyers

Japan Railway West is to offer free wi-fi at 11 train stations from July 1st 2013 for tourists that visit Japan

"West Japan Railway Company (JR West)... will launch free Wi-Fi service for tourists on July 1 (2013) at 11 stations on its shinkansen (bullet train) lines, including for the first time Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Ogura, Hakata, as well as stations where it is already available—Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Osaka, Tenoji, Kansai Airport and Sannomiya...The JR West free Wi-Fi will be available around ticket gates and lobbies at concourses. In order to use the tourist Wi-Fi, you have to get a guest code before arriving in Japan. Then you can access the Wi-Fi by simply selecting JR-WEST_FREE_Wi-Fi on your device."

Source: Free Wi-Fi for tourists to become available at 11 JR West stations

JUN. 14, 2013

Japan Today

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/free-wi-fi-for-tourists-to-become-available-at-11-jr-west-stations

Innovative Japanese smartphone slows down the speech of a caller to go on sale in France

"the Raku Raku (smartphone) in Japan, the smartphone is known for having large, easy-to-press button icons. It automatically adjusts volume in conjunction with surrounding noise and has a function that slows down the speech of a caller without changing the length of the conversation." 

Source: 

Fujitsu's Smartphone For Seniors Says 'Bonjour'

June 13th 2013

Nikkei.com

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130612D12JSN04.htm

Japanese customers love Alasakan red crab for some fisheries a $US 7 million market

Video: Crab Lunch
Source: JapaneseCustomer.com
You Tube Channel

" National fisheries managers who are supposed to assign individual quotas for the multimillion-dollar harvest before its scheduled opening next week are among federal workers who have been furloughed. Fishermen said Wednesday there is no time to waste in cashing in on the lucrative market in Japan, where the (red) crab is highly prized for holiday celebrations — and that means getting the catch on the way to the island nation by mid-November. Missing Japan's holiday season could mean a loss of up to $7 million. 

Source: Shutdown may hit Alaska "Deadliest Catch" fishery

By RACHEL D'ORO 

October 9th 2013 

http://www.centredaily.com/2013/10/09/3830264/shutdown-threatens-lucrative-alaska.html

Japan post may increase postage stamp rates ahead of next April sales tax hike

Picture: Japan Post delivering letters

"The internal affairs ministry said it intends to change an ordinance that would allow Japan Post Co. to raise postage rates to cushion itself from the impact of next April’s sales tax hike.The revision could raise the cost of sending a letter weighing 25 grams or less to ¥82 from ¥80, which would be the first postal rate hike in around 20 years, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry announced Friday."

Source:Japan Post set to raise mail prices

Oct 5th 2013

Japan Times

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/10/05/national/japan-post-set-to-raise-mail-prices/#.UlCG01Bfc8o

Video: How are marketers attracting Japanese customers this summer?

 Video: Japanese TV Commercials [ 2013 HOT SUMMER EDITION ] 

Source: JPCMHD

Japanese retailer Uniqlo has been opening a new store every week as part of global plan

Picture: Tokyo skyline

"Uniqlo has been opening about one store every week as part of its global expansion plan and now has more than 1300 stores in 14 countries, with global sales exceeding Y770 billion (AUS$8.4 billion) in 2012"

Source: Uniqlo aims to be No 1 in the world by winning local love

By Sue Mitchell

Australian Financial Review

Thursday 3rd October 2013, page 19

Japan's direct investment in Indonesia increased to $2.5 billion in 2012 up from $700 million in 2010 according to report

"Japan’s direct investment in Indonesia is a testament to the uptick in interest, having ballooned to $2.5 billion last year from $712.6 million in 2010, according to the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board"

Source: Japanese culture grips Indonesia as firms flood in

BY ANGELA DEWAN

September 1st 2013

Japan Times

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/01/national/japanese-culture-grips-indonesia-as-firms-flood-in/#.UiP-FDYwf9g

Video: A collection of Japanese Television Commercials 2013 (in Japanese)

Note: Although these commercials are in Japanese you can still enjoy them by just watching. Enjoy!

Video:Japanese TV Commercials [ 2013 weeks 30 & 31 ]

Source:JPCMHD

You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcRCLt14-WI&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLBCA0F10FE6785BE6

News & Video: Sales tax increase boosts housing starts in Japan up 12 percent in July to a total of 84000 units for 2013 so far

Video: Building a House in Japan!

Source: TheJapanChannelDcom

You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tA0JuvL-hE

"(Japan) Housing starts in July rose 12% on the year to 84,459 units, up for the 11th straight month, the Infrastructure Ministry reported Friday.The increase is attributed to speculation that mortgage rates, which are currently moving at low levels, will rise. There was also a last-minute jump in demand ahead of price hikes in materials and an increase in the consumption tax."

Source: July Housing Starts Up For 11th Straight Month

Friday August 30th 2013

Nikkei.com

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130830D30SS748.htm

Japanese consumers jump at low cost airline tickets as low cost carriers boost demand, Jetstar Japan

 Picture: Japanese traveller

"Japanese consumers, who have been starved of decent airline competition...are reacting just as Australian's did when given the choice of cheap airline tickets...load factors need to be 70 per cent to offset low fares. Jetstar Japans load factor was 72 per cent"

Source: Low cost airlines flying high

Chanticleer

Australian Financial Review

Friday August 30th 2013, page 40

Video & News: Steven Tyler of Aerosmith mingled with Japanese fans in Osaka, Japan

Video: 

Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady) Live@Aerosonic 2013

Source: TANGORONYAN

You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doLYOnyPEY8

"Last week, Steven Tyler, vocalist for the big-name American rock group Aerosmith, was spotted wandering around Osaka without an escort. The band is currently in the midst of a world concert tour with stops in a few of Japan’s major cities."

Source:

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler gets friendly with fans in Osaka

By Rachel Tackett

August 22nd 2013

Japan Today

http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/aerosmiths-steven-tyler-gets-friendly-with-fans-in-osaka

Japan Post expands into aged care with a range of new services

Picture: Mail box, Japan

"Japan Post said that postal workers would visit the homes of elderly subscribers to the service and inquire about their health. The basic monthly fee of 1,050 yen will include one home visit per month and invitations to subscriber lunches held at post offices. Post office staff will monitor the health and well-being of elderly subscribers...Other services planned include a 24-hour telephone consultation line, grocery shopping support and safety confirmation checks. "

Source: Japan Post to offer home visit service for elderly

August 27th 2013

Japan Today

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-post-to-offer-home-visit-service-for-elderly

American hotel chain targets Japanese customers with culture specific campaign

"Four Seasons Hotel Denver wants to give a special konnichiwa and welcome to Japanese travellers flying to Denver via the new Dreamliner with a new overnight package." 

Source: Four Seasons Hotel Denver Introduces New Konnichiwa Denver Package for Japanese Travellers

Hotel News

June 3, 2013

http://press.fourseasons.com/denver/hotel-news/four-seasons-hotel-denver-introduces-new-konnichiwa-denver-package-for-japanese-travellers/