Japanese girls are unstraightening their teeth with a procedure called "Yaeba"

"Japanese girls...are having their teeth unstraightened. The procedure, called ''Yaeba'' involves fitting removable caps to ordinary, straight teeth for a deliberately juvenile look. Some even have sharp, Dracula-like fangs slipped over their incisors.According to the London Daily Mail, "Japanese men find the 'imperfection' of young ladies’ 'snaggleteeth' smile sexually attractive because of its endearing 'childlike' quality. [And] men find them more approachable than women with perfect 'picket-fence teeth'.""

Source: Staying on the cutting edge

May 21, 2013

By Richard Hughes

The AGE newspaper

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/style/blogs/man-scape/staying-on-the-cutting-edge-20130520-2jwp2.html#ixzz2UMqUX5bP

Video & News: Survey reveals 94 percent of young Japanese women feel uncomfortable in a bikini

Video: 

Miss Bikini International Japan 2012

Source: Bash Tokyo,

You Tube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXx7nMXoikw

"In a recent Internet survey, a whopping 94% of Japanese women in their 20s and 30s said they don’t have enough confidence in their figure to feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit."

Source: 

94% of Japanese women don’t feel confident in a bikini, survey reveals

By Casey Baseel

July 20th 2013

Japan Today

http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/94-of-japanese-women-dont-feel-confident-in-a-bikini-survey-reveals

Japanese customers innovative when it comes to developing new markets for pets

"new markets spring up, such as pet-pampering products such as day spas for our animals and kitten cafes in Japan – where urban dwellers can spend some time with a kitty companion over a latte."

Source:

Making pets the investor's best friend

July 17, 2013

Mike King

THE AGE

http://www.theage.com.au/business/motley-fool/making-pets-the-investors-best-friend-20130717-2q3l6.html#ixzz2ZRlxwBFz

Fast Retailing the name behind Uniqlo is opening 200 new stores in Asia every year

"Fast Retailing...The Japanese company behind the Uniqlo brand- famed for its simple clothes....is adding 200 stores in Asia every year.....derives 60 percent of sales from Japan, yet sources almost all of its clothes from China"

Source: Uniqlo may be growing too fast

The Lex Column,

The Financial Times

Australian Financial Review

Monday July 15th 2013, page 21

Video:Prepaid Softbank Mobile Phone

Video:Prepaid Softbank Mobile Phone 
Source: Japanese Customer.com You Tube Channel

Japanese retailer Uniqlo plans to open another 10 stores in the USA as profit increases 22 percent

"The operator of Japanese cheap-chic clothing chain Uniqlo said Thursday it will open 10 new stores in the United States, as it reported a 22% jump in net profit."

Source: 

Uniqlo to open 10 new stores in U.S. as profit jumps

July 12th

Japan Today

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/japans-uniqlo-to-boost-us-stores-as-profit-jumps

Sanrio theme park opens four new attractions at Tokyo theme park from July 20th 2013

"Sanrio Puroland theme park (will open new attractions in Tokyo, Japan) July 20. .... Sanrio Puroland expects 1.5 million visitors this fiscal year, up about 30% from the year before."Awareness of Hello Kitty is being raised in Southeast Asia .... the park will be fun not only for teenage girls and 20-something women from Japan, but also for foreign tourists."

Source: 

Sanrio Puroland Unveils Quartet Of New Attractions

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Nikkei

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130710D1007N02.htm

Daiso retail strategy includes rotation of stock to induce retail shoppers to buy now

Picture: !00 yen store in Japan

"You will not find all of the same products in the store each time you come. Part of the inventory rotates in and out, inducing shoppers to come back to see what’s new. It also creates a sense of urgency among shoppers that if they don’t buy it now they may not have an opportunity to do so in the future.Roughly one-fifth of the average store comprises core lines that are always in stock."

Source: Putting fun back into shopping

July 9, 2013

Michael Baker

The AGE

http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/managing/putting-fun-back-into-shopping-20130709-2pncc.html#ixzz2YbS5wIZU

Video: Japanese TV Commercials, 2013 weeks 26 & 27 (Japanese)

Video: Japanese TV Commercials

 2013 weeks 26 & 27 

 Source: JPCMHD, You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipkyi3H1Vcw&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLBCA0F10FE6785BE6

South East Asian countries like Malaysia and Indonesia embracing Japanese products according to recent poll

"the poll asked consumers in five Southeast Asian nations -- Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar -- to name a country they believe influences local products and services.Malaysia and Indonesia .. and Japanese products are popular in both nations.Regular citizens dream of buying Japanese home electronics, if they get a salary hike, said a 50-something man in Kuala Lumpur."

Source: Malaysian, Indonesian Consumers Embracing Japanese Products

The Nikkei, 

July 9 2013

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130708D0807A02.htm

Japanese customers can try a snail based facial in a Tokyo beauty salon from July 15th

"The Ci:z. Labo salon (Tokyo) will introduce a skin-care treatment using live snails.....After the customer's face is washed, a cold gel mask is applied to the skin...After the mask is removed, three to four organic snails imported from Switzerland are placed on the face for about five minutes....The treatment will cost 10,500 yen"

Source:Snail Facials Put The Shine Back In Skin

The Nikkei Marketing Journal

July 5 2013 

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130705D05HH479.htm

Japanese girl bands are different and rely on a closer fan interaction according to industry sources

Video: Japanese Girl Band Nogizaka46 

Song in Japanese

Source: [Live] Nogizaka46 - Seifuku no Mannequin Bwith46, You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Bpx9zBqxk

"Behind the success of Japan's girl groups is "a drastic change in the relationship with fans by involving them in the star-making process," said Hideki Take...After being chosen in amateur auditions, prospective new group members perform in small theatres where fans vote on which members will be featured. "Unlike most stars selected by executives at recording companies, it's a fan-centred system,"

Source: Are these Japanese girl bands the future of pop music?

The AGE

July 5th 2013

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/are-these-japanese-girl-bands-the-future-of-pop-music-20130705-2pgid.html#ixzz2YE53c5S1

Japanese consumer music revenue up 3 percent in 2012 to 430 billion yen to become the worlds largest market

Picture: The classic Sony walkman

"consumer music revenue in Japan grow 3 percent last year to ¥430 billion, topping the U.S. to become the world’s largest market, according to the Recording Industry Association of Japan. ....Physical media made up 82 percent of Japanese music sales last year, versus 37 percent in the U.S., the recording industry group said."

Source: Girl-group fans help push Japan music sales past U.S.

BY MARIKO YASU

BLOOMBERG

July 4th, 2013

Japan Times

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/04/business/girl-group-fans-help-push-japan-music-sales-past-u-s/#.UdZPDvkwdFs

Japanese customers least engaged when asked view on ethical clothing according to survey

"Consumers from Japan and South Korea were least engaged in demanding ethical clothing, the report showed. Only 41 per cent of Japanese consumers surveyed said they would pay more for their clothing if it improved the conditions of the workers, while 76 per cent of South Korean consumers said they didn't ''really care'' or feel any responsibility where their clothes were made. "

Source: Support for unethical clothing wears thin

July 4, 2013

Sarah Whyte 

The AGE 

http://www.theage.com.au/national/support-for-unethical-clothing-wears-thin-20130703-2pcbx.html#ixzz2Y2dgH8HI

Estimated 940,000 tons of scrap clothing discarded each year in Japan, plans to upcycle

"About 940,000 tons of clothing is discarded each year, according to a fiscal 2009 survey by the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, an independent administrative agency under the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.A movement has grown that seeks to connect these materials with remake brands."

Source: Upcycling turns scraps into fashion

The Daily Yomiuri

June 28th 2013

BY Sanae Nokura

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000313710

Video: Robot band Z-Machines made their debut in Tokyo, Japan June 24th 2013

"Robot band Z-Machines made their debut at the Liquidroom in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The interactive robots are programmed to perform based on actions taken by their audience as well as people who access the Z-Machines website."

 

Source:Live debut of Z-Machines 

The Japan Times 

Published on Jun 24, 2013 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uGF9f7SDP2Q

Video: Practical You Tube videos helping Japanese women - Asahi Sasaki - Makeup Japanese with English subtitles

Video: MY SPOON STORY

 ~ Apply Eyeliner & Mascara,Curl your Lashes 

~Asahi Sasaki - You Tube Channel 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sD1ncPzOYbE#at=230 

"Watching a woman put on her makeup doesn't seem exciting enough for YouTube, but Asahi Sasaki does it so dramatically, in story-like fashion with flair and a touch of whimsy, that a multitude of fans around the world are watching:"

Source: 

Woman’s makeup videos charms YouTube fans around the world

By MISUZU SATO

Asahi Shimbun

June 19th 2013

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/people/AJ201306190017

Video: Japanese TV Commercials in Japanese 2013

Source: JPCMHD , You Tube Channel

Get ready for the rainy season in Japan with a samurai style umbrella

"samurai sword umbrella ..... boasts high customer reviews on Amazon. With a length of 91 cm and a diameter of 105 cm this umbrella will surely keep you dry from rain and the blood of your fallen enemies."

Pictures here

Source:Warriors, Thieves, and Weathermen: 5 Weapon Umbrellas To Fend Off The Rain

Jun 11, 2011

By Steven

Rocket News 24

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2011/06/11/warriors-thieves-and-weathermen-5-weapon-umbrellas-to-fend-off-the-rain/

Video

Source: SpendingMachines, You Tube Channel

Accessed June 16th 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lZIY-jIgsY

Video: Japanese Television Commercials Week 20 and 21 2013 in HD Video (Japanese)

Source: JPCMHD, You Tube Channel 

Accessed 10th June 2013

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