🌸Japanese Customer : Newsletter

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Showing posts with label Newsletter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newsletter. Show all posts

October 20, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter October 21st 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, October 21st 2013.





#1. Square Watermelons



"Watermelons grown into cubic shape in plastic containers from Japan's Kagawa Prefecture are catching on among wealthy Russians, selling for 28,000 rubles (about $856) apiece at a luxury supermarket in Moscow."



Video: A Square watermelon 




 Source: JapaneseCustomer.com



Source: Cubic watermelons from Kagawa Pref. catch on among wealthy Russians, July 16th 2013, Mainichi Shimbun
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130716p2g00m0bu034000c.html




#2. Automobile Taxes




"JAMA has been calling for two automobile taxes to be scrapped. It argues that Japanese drivers have to pay 50 times more in vehicle taxes than their U.S. counterparts."


Source: Cars Yet to Motor on Abenomics, By Yoshio Takahashi, July 12th 2013, Wall Street Journal,
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/07/12/cars-yet-to-motor-on-abenomics/





#3 Oil



"Saudi Aramco….The contract …allows Aramco to store up to 600,000 kiloliters (3.8 million barrels) of crude in Okinawa, southwest Japan…In return for providing free storage space, Japan gets a priority claim on the stockpiles in case of an emergency."



Source: Japan agrees to extend Aramco oil storage deal, July 16th 2013,Saudia Gazzette
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130714173445





#4. Weather



"During 2010, the number of heat-stroke incidents also reached serious levels, with 54,000 people hospitalized and 1,700 deaths nationwide.The elderly are most susceptible to the heat due to their reluctance to turn on air conditioning out of a desire to conserve energy"



Source: Japan Gets More Days of Extreme Heat, July 12th 2013, WSJ, Japan Real Time, by Joelle Metcalfe
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/07/12/japan-gets-more-days-of-extreme-heat/




#6. Quote





“Fukuko stored all this away and began to observe Shozo and Lilys behavior more carefully” page 5

Junichiro Tanizaki

Source: A Cat, Shozo and Two women





#7. Apartments



"The number of new condominiums put on the market in the Tokyo metropolitan area rose 22% on the year to 4,888 units in June….For the first half of 2013, the number of new condos put on the market stood at 24,299 units, up 17.1%.In the Kinki region, the number of new condos that went on the market increased 15.3% to 2,417 units. "



Source: Tokyo Condo Offerings Up 22% In June, July 16th 2013, Nikkei.com
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130716D16SS290.htm



* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.



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October 13, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter October 14th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, October 14th 2013.




#1. Solar Energy



“Japan's feed-in-tariffs (FIT) for renewable energy are almost 3 times higher than in Germany….94% of the first wave of renewable energy projects under Japan's feed-in-tariffs are for solar. However, wind, biomass, geothermal projects are also in preparation, and will follow.”


Source: Thriving solar energy project in Japan thriving,July 16th 2013, Eurotechnology Japan
http://www.eurotechnology.com/category/energy/






#2. Food




“Yakiniku (Korean barbecue) restaurants have been popular in Japan for a long time now…of all types of restaurants in Japan, the yakiniku sector has grown a hearty 14% compared to the previous year. ….As a result we are seeing other restaurants and bars adopting charcoal grills to tap into this success.”



Source: Business booming for yakiniku restaurants, but are customers chemically dependent on meat? July 16th 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/food/view/business-booming-for-yakiniku-restaurants-but-are-customers-chemically-dependent-on-meat





#3 Coffee



“consumption in the developed world—American, European and Japanese drinkers consume more than half the world's coffee—is flat, and the recession has squeezed the profits of big food companies such as Nestlé and Kraft.”



Source: Why are coffee-growers unhappy? By E.H, July 15th, 2013
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2013/07/economist-explains-9





#4. English



“EF Education First (EF) English Proficiency Index (EPI). …..Japan ranked 22nd of 54 countries. The findings for Japan showed differences by region, gender and age group. Scores from Tokyo and the wider Kanto region exceeded those of other areas of the country, likely due to the greater concentration of international business operations and opportunities to use English.”



Source: EF Japan helps foster future leaders, By Chris Betros, Japan Today, July 15th 2013
http://www.japantoday.com/category/executive-impact/view/ef-japan-helps-foster-future-leaders




#6. Quote



“she was too distracted to look at him, ..but then this kind of thing happened often enough in this cold, unfriendly workplace." p8


Natsuo Kirino


Source: Novel: Out



#7. Deflation



“by pledging to double the monetary base, the Bank of Japan managed to engineer a massive foreign investor driven currency depreciation under the guise of domestic monetary stimulus. However, by front loading the effect of QE into weakening the currency, the first impact on the world was disinflationary because a weaker yen exports deflation to the rest of the world by making Japanese goods and services cheaper.”
Henry Maxey, a fund manager at Ruffer Investment Management



Source: Markets and monetary policy,The deflation/inflation conundrum, Jul 12th 2013, 16:51 by Buttonwood, The Economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/buttonwood/2013/07/markets-and-monetary-policy






* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

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* Videos * Newsletter

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japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

October 06, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter October 7th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, October 7th 2013.




#1. Energy 



“Toyota Motor Corp will begin consideration of a system for the sharing and effective utilization of waste heat and excess electricity produced by its plant and other medium and small-sized plants in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.” 



Source: Toyota considering regional heat and power sharing system for industrial parks, July 15th 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/toyota-considering-regional-heat-and-power-sharing-system-for-industrial-parks




#2. Stocks 




“With a market capitalization of 3.8 trillion yen Fast Retailing is now the biggest constituent of the Nikkei 225 benchmark index” 




Source: Uniqlo may be growing too fast, The Lex Column, Financial Times, Australian Financial Review, Monday 15th July, 2013, page 21



#3 Prices 



"Normally, the price of Japanese kabocha is two to three times that of the imported kind. In April at the Tokyo Central Produce Market, domestic kabocha was going for ¥356 per kg, while foreign kabocha was only about ¥97. However, lately the price of Japanese kabocha has come down to almost even with foreign kabocha, which is a remarkable drop…" 


Source: Deflation watch: Kabocha, July 1st, 2013 by Philip Brasor & Masako Tsubuku, Japan Times, Yen for Living,
http://blog.japantimes.co.jp/yen-for-living/deflation-watch-kabocha/




#4. Entertainment 





Takarazuka Revue Co., the renowned female-only music and dance company famous for its gorgeous costumes, is planning more overseas performances from 2015. .. It intends to develop its business in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and possibly elsewhere in Asia." 



Source: Takarazuka to dance into Asia from 2015, July 9th 2013, Asahi Shimbun
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201307090048





#6. Quote 



“The young women possessed a healthy appetite too, assimilating the fuel she needed like an automatic machine” page 52 


Kenzaburo Oe 



Source: Somersault






#7. Shopping 



"Customers are clever--they want the more expensive items but they hang on to see if they get discounted," Fast Retailing Chief Financial Officer Ken Okazaki said."



Source: Thrift trumps Abenomics as Japan shoppers stick to bargains, Asahi Shimbun, July 12th 2013
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/economy/business/AJ201307120097





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.



* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

Videos * Newsletter

News Feed * Book Reviews



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japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

September 29, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter September 30th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, September 30th 2013.






#1. Economy



“.. I will be firing the next arrow within my growth strategy. I will assertively push through a bold tax reduction in order to stimulate investment,” Prime Minster, Shinzo Abe said during his speech to the NYSE exchange.”


Source: Abe promises bold tax cut, September 27, 2013
Tetsuya Ito, Yomiuri Shimbun,
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000677950





#2. Food



“Ham is also the No. 1 gift item during the “ochugen” and “oseibo” gift-giving seasons because of its flexibility. “ Paul Kraft, CEO, Toranomon Ham KK



Source: Bringing HoneyBaked Ham to Japan, By Chris Betros
SEP. 16, 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/executive-impact/view/bringing-honeybaked-ham-to-japan





#3 Technology



“A robot that picks ripe strawberries while farmers sleep has been unveiled with claims it could cut workloads by two-thirds.The device, unveiled Wednesday, can pick a piece of fruit every eight seconds by using three cameras to determine which strawberries are ready to pick. “



Source: Latest robot can pick strawberry fields forever, September 26th 2013, Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/09/26/business/latest-robot-can-pick-strawberry-fields-forever/#.UkUZeoZi39g





#4. Audio



“Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. will reproduce albums…. in high-resolution audio, which boasts crisper sound than CDs. These will be released online by group firm Label Gate Co. on Oct. 17. Label Gate will offer some 600 enhance-audio albums from roughly 10 labels, including Warner Music Japan Inc.”


Source: Sony To Launch High-Resolution Audio Albums, Equipment, Friday September 27th 2013, Nikkei.com
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130926D2609N02.htm





#6. Quote



“Although she jokes about wanting to go to the hospital with me, she still can be even stricter than my aunt here in keeping after me to have my hair cut and to take baths” p53




Natsume Soseki



Source: Light and Darkness




#7. Smartphones


“Panasonic Corp. said Thursday it has suspended development and production of smartphones for consumers in Japan to focus its resources on the corporate customer market where growth is expected.”




Source: Panasonic suspends smartphone development for consumers, Friday September 27th 2013, Mainichi Shimbun
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130927p2g00m0bu056000c.html



* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.


© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.



* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

* Videos * Newsletter

* News Feed * Book Reviews



Visit our store for all your Japan related products

including books, food and gadgets!



www.japanesecustomer.com




japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

September 22, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter September 23rd 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, September 23rd 2013.




#1. Rising Fuel Costs 



“It was reported that many port towns in Japan are decommissioning ships used for harbor tours because of rising fuel costs and declining interest.”



Source: Invading green lizards and other threats, By: Steve Trautlein, Jul 10, 2013, Issue: 1007, The Small Print, Metropolis, http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/july-10-2013/




#2. Places




" Niijima, one of the nine inhabited islands in Japan's Izu archipelago…Around the 18th century, it served as a prison for mainland exiles…a 40 minute flight from Tokyo…Niijima has become one of Japan's top surfing destinations"



Source: Island of many faces by James Nestor, Life & Leisure, AFR, 12 -14 July, 2013, page L11





#3 Health



"The local government is…..taking care of our health very well with regular screening and medical examinations" Hatsue Takeda…."Nagano (Japan) leads the nation for both genders, with a life expectancy of 87.18 years for women and 80.88 for men"



Source: Old ways not the only way to long life by Rick Wallace, The Weekend Australian, July 13 - 14th, 2013, page 11





#4. Organ Donation 



"In Japan, the nation’s once stringent Law on Organ Transplantation had recently been revised, taking effect in July 2010. The revisions make it possible to offer the organs of children up for transplant...To date though, there has been only one case in which the organs of a child younger than 6 years old were donated for transplant."

Source: Family agonizes over decision to donate child's organs, July 12, 2013, By AKIKO OKAZAKI, Asahi Shimbun
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201307120061





#6. Quote




Thanks to the imagination,

there’s no end to things in this world

that can trigger anxiety



page 20




Ryu Murakami



Source: Piercing




#7. Voting 



"In a Tokyo Shimbun survey, less than 18 percent of people over 50 said that they would use the Internet to study candidates. Another poll by the Asahi Shimbun didn’t distinguish by age, but 63 percent of the respondents said the Internet will “not really” or “not at all” affect their vote."


Source: Democracy hits the Web, but are the ‘real’ voters listening? BY PHILIP BRASOR, Japan Times, July 13th 2013
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/13/national/democracy-hits-the-web-but-are-the-real-voters-listening/#.UeI-BDtXDbQ



* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

Videos * Newsletter

News Feed * Book Reviews



Visit our store for all your Japan related products

including books, food and gadgets!





www.japanesecustomer.com




japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter September 23rd 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, September 23rd 2013.






#1. Rising Fuel Costs



“It was reported that many port towns in Japan are decommissioning ships used for harbor tours because of rising fuel costs and declining interest.”


Source: Invading green lizards and other threats, By: Steve Trautlein, Jul 10, 2013, Issue: 1007, The Small Print, Metropolis, http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/july-10-2013/







#2. Places




" Niijima, one of the nine inhabited islands in Japan's Izu archipelago…Around the 18th century, it served as a prison for mainland exiles…a 40 minute flight from Tokyo…Niijima has become one of Japan's top surfing destinations"




Source: Island of many faces by James Nestor, Life & Leisure, AFR, 12 -14 July, 2013, page L11





#3 Health



"The local government is…..taking care of our health very well with regular screening and medical examinations" Hatsue Takeda…."Nagano (Japan) leads the nation for both genders, with a life expectancy of 87.18 years for women and 80.88 for men"


Source: Old ways not the only way to long life by Rick Wallace, The Weekend Australian, July 13 - 14th, 2013, page 11





#4. Organ Donation



"In Japan, the nation’s once stringent Law on Organ Transplantation had recently been revised, taking effect in July 2010. The revisions make it possible to offer the organs of children up for transplant...To date though, there has been only one case in which the organs of a child younger than 6 years old were donated for transplant."


Source: Family agonizes over decision to donate child's organs, July 12, 2013, By AKIKO OKAZAKI, Asahi Shimbun
http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201307120061





#6. Quote







“Thanks to the imagination,

there’s no end to things in this world

that can trigger anxiety”


page 20




Ryu Murakami



Source: Piercing




#7. Voting



"In a Tokyo Shimbun survey, less than 18 percent of people over 50 said that they would use the Internet to study candidates. Another poll by the Asahi Shimbun didn’t distinguish by age, but 63 percent of the respondents said the Internet will “not really” or “not at all” affect their vote."


Source: Democracy hits the Web, but are the ‘real’ voters listening? BY PHILIP BRASOR, Japan Times, July 13th 2013
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/07/13/national/democracy-hits-the-web-but-are-the-real-voters-listening/#.UeI-BDtXDbQ



* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

* Videos * Newsletter

* News Feed * Book Reviews



Visit our store for all your Japan related products

including books, food and gadgets!





www.japanesecustomer.com




japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

September 16, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter September 16th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, September 16th 2013.






#1. Investment



" Japan 9 percent of KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts private equity giant) portfolio of Asian investments by geography"


Source: Cash-rich KKR ready to pounce by Richard Gluyas, The Australian, Thursday July 11th 2013, page 19




#2. Stock Market 



"Japan Exchange Group, the world's third largest (stock) exchange by market capitalization.The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) which focuses on cash stock transactions and the Osaka exchange (OSE) which operates a derivatives-trading platform still operate separately"



Source: Tokyo exchange boss eyes IPO boost to revive markets, by Kana Inagaki, The Wall Street Journal, The Australian, Thursday July 11th, 2013, page 20





#3 2020 Olympics bid


“If the Olympics are hosted in Tokyo, businesses in real estate, construction, retail, travel, land and air transport, sports apparel, and food sectors will likely benefit,” Naoki Kamiyama Bank of America… “The positive psychological impact of the Tokyo Olympics on Japanese stock market and its people will far exceed Abenomics,” Kenichi Hirano, market adviser at Tachibana Securities


Source: Japan Inc. Eyes Gold In Olympic Bid, By Yumi Otagaki, July 11th, 2013, WSJ, Japan Real Time,
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/07/11/japan-inc-eyes-gold-in-olympic-bid/





#4. IPO's



" Bankers expect about 60 IPOs in Japan this year, compared with 48 offerings last year"


Source: Tokyo exchange boss eyes IPO boost to revive markets, by Kana Inagaki, The Wall Street Journal, The Australian, Thursday July 11th, 2013, page 20





#6. Quote



" Yes, you must have understood by now" But, I don't understand, he finally shouted. " How should I understand ? You can't expect me to understand when you never say a word, can you? " p59."


Kobo Abe



Source: The Woman in the Dunes




#7. Apps



"In Japan, a set of apps based around the nameko mushroom has clocked 32 million downloads…The game is simple: you grow mushrooms wait a while, then harvest them by swiping the screen"



Source: Essentials, Gadgets By Chris Griffith,The Australian , Wednesday July 10th 2013, page 14





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.



* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

Videos * Newsletter

News Feed * Book Reviews



Visit our store for all your Japan related products

including books, food and gadgets!





www.japanesecustomer.com




japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

September 08, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter September 9th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, September 9th 2013.






#1. Finance



" As the yen has plunged, Japanese investors have been repatriating their investments in the region believing the yen can go no lower"



Source: Sell sign hangs over local economy as the US jobs outlook brightens, David Uren, The Australian, Monday July 8th, 2013, page 17




#2. Media



"The Japanese owners of (Dentsu Aegis Network) are looking to expand…in the local market (Asia). Last year, London-based Aegis was taken over by Dentsu in a $4.94 billion deal - the biggest in the history of the advertising industry"




Source: Japanese to expand Mitchell's empire, by Darren Davidson, The Australian, Monday July 8th, 2013, page 23



#3 Economics




"In Japan, Abenomics is about ending deflation and restarting economic growth"




Source: Likonomics is the right path, by Yiping Huang, Australian Fininacial Review, Monday July 8th, 2013, page 37



#4. Energy



"With spot at "US 39.50 a pound, hope is about all there is at the moment. But with eight Japanese (nuclear) reactors expected back on line this year…those in the industry foresee a supply squeeze in the near future"


Source: A time to buy….for the brave, by Robin Bromby, The Australian Newspaper, Monday July 8th, 2013, page 21





#6. Quote



"It was a knack she had. And I could see that she took care of her clothes with an attention bordering on love."



Haruki Murakami



Source: The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, p224




#7. Currency



"Japan's currency devaluation has been caused by the central bank's decision to undertake a form of money printing known as quantitative easing"



Source: Waiting for the third economic arrow out of Japan's bow, by Jacob Greber & Laura Tingle, Australian Financial Review, Monday July 8th, 2013, page 10





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.



* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

Videos * Newsletter

News Feed * Book Reviews



Visit our store for all your Japan related products

including books, food and gadgets!





www.japanesecustomer.com
















japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

September 01, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter September 2nd 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, September 2nd 2013.






#1. Travel




" Jetstar Japan is the first (Low Cost Carrier) airline to sell tickets through the ubiquitous Lawson convenience store franchise chain. The arrangement enables customers to book Jetstar Japan air tickets using the multi-media terminals (known as Lawson Loppi) and pay for them only in cash at the chain’s 10,000 plus stores."



Source: Carry On: News for business travelers, Nevil Gibson
The National Business Review, Saturday July 6th 2013
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/carry-news-business-travellers-ng-142496






#2. Economy





"Japan's 7.5 trillion yen ($83 Billion) a month Quantitative Easing is no small potatoes"



Source: Gung-Ho gold bug slams doubters, By Robin Bromby, The Australian, Monday July 1st 2013, page 23





#3 Finance





"Japan's stockmarket has a reputation for disappointing even the most ardent bulls"





Source: Traders look for signs of Abenomics improvements, By Kana Inagaki, Wall Street Journal, Australian, Tuesday July 2nd 2013, page 22





#4. Food




"Sushi is the original fast food like a sandwich…It's OK to eat it with your fingers" Reiko Shimba, Goodwill Guide, Tokyo





Source: Make my story, By Susan Kurosawa, Michelle Rowe, The Australian Newspaper, Tuesday July 2nd, 2013, page 14






#6. Quote





"Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern of the shadows, the light and dark which that thing provides."


Junichiro Tanizaki




Source: Brainy Quotes




#7. Trade


"Japan is the number one export market for U.S. pork. 27 percent of the pork produced in Ohio is exported each year. This is a significant market for Ohio farmers," said Kyle Brown."



Source: Ohio Corn and Pork Entice Japanese Buyers, Ohio Ag Connection, 07/03/2013
http://www.ohioagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=525&yr=2013







* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

* Videos * Newsletter

* News Feed * Book Reviews

Visit our store for all your Japan related products

including books, food and gadgets!





www.japanesecustomer.com







japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan,
#japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013

August 25, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter August 26th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, August 26th 2013.



#1. Finance




"Japan was the only country among the 46 that make up Standard & Poor's Global Broad Market Index to post a gain in June: the 1.4 per cent rise in its equity market"



Source: Source: German Firm drops IPO plan, Financial Times, The LEX Column, The Australian Financial Review, Friday July 5th 2013, page 23







#2. Politics




"For the 23rd upper house election, (July 2st 2013) 433 people filed candidacies: 271 in constituencies and 162 in the proportional representation system. In the previous upper house election in 2010, 437 candidates ran, with 251 in constituencies and 168 in the proportional representation system."


Source: Upper house campaigning under way
Daily Yomiuri
July 5th, 2013
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000357613





#3 Legal






"A newspaper poll suggests that 41 percent of Japanese people approve of making it easier for politicians to change the Constitution."


Source: The Incredible Shrinking Japan, and other sideshow acts
Jul 3, 2013, Issue: 1006, The Small Print
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/july-3-2013-2/






#4. Prices






" (According to a recent Bank of Japan survey of 4000 Japanese customers they) expect Japanese prices to rise in the next year rose to 80.2% in June from 74.2% in March while only 3.9% of those polled said prices will fall in the next year, unchanged from three months earlier. "


Source: BOJ Poll: Japan Consumer Confidence Up For 2nd Quarter in Row, Friday 5th July 2013
https://mninews.marketnews.com/index.php/boj-poll-japan-consumer-confidence-2nd-quarter-row?q=content/boj-poll-japan-consumer-confidence-2nd-quarter-row





#6. Quote





“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” 


Matsuo Basho


Source: Goodreads.com





#7. Savings



"The value of the cash and investments that housewives hold without telling their husbands rose 8.2 percent from a year ago to 4.16 million yen ($41,500), a report released today by the Sompo Japan DIY Life Insurance Co. showed. The total was the highest on record in data back to 2005."


Source: Housewives’ Secret Stash at Record as Consumers Await Abenomics, By Toru Fujioka, July 5, 2013, Business Week, Bloomberg,
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-07-05/housewives-secret-stash-at-record-as-consumers-await-abenomics





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2003 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

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www.japanesecustomer.com

August 18, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter August 19th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, August 19th 2013.



#1. Online Shopping




" The nation's online stores are enjoying rapid sales growth as they move to allow returns at no charge, including free shipping. ….Locondo Inc. has grown fast by touting this policy. The online apparel and shoe seller launched in February 2011 and had already generated sales of 3 billion yen for the year ended this February."



Source: Web Stores Gravitating Toward Free Returns, Saturday June 29th, 2013, Nikkei.com
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130629D2806A07.htm





#2. Business





" Australia ranks second only to Japan for the cost of doing business, due to high transport, utilities, labour, rent and currency costs"


Source: Suppliers on attack over steep rebates, By Sue Mitchell and Claire Stewart, Thursday 27th June 2013, page 3, AFR





#3 Steel




" Steel production was edging up in Japan but European steel markets were still under pressure"




Source: BHP, Nippon settle coal deal at five-year low, By Mariana Papadakis, AFR, Thursday June 27th, page 31, AFR






#4. Demographics





"Japan needs as many as 10 million immigrants by 2050 to offset natural population decline according to Hidenori Sakanaka of the Japan Immigration Policy Institute"


Source: Abe baulks at answering the immigration question
The Wall Street Journal, Joseph Sternberg, Reprinted in The Australian, Friday 28th June, 2013, page 25





#6. Quote




" the household" in modern Japan requires that every cabinet, brazier, and cushion be in its proper place; the chores of the husband, wife and maid are fastidiously distinguished; hard to please neighbours and relatives must be humored" page 8

Source: Naomi by Junichiro Tanizaki, Translated by: Anthony. H. Chambers,Publisher: Tuttle Publishing, Tokyo. 2000, ISBN: 080481520-8, Pages: 237





#7. English



"As a group based society, things become very fashionable and popular quickly. English is one of those things. Language schools have created the popularity of English through mass media advertising. Learning English at a language school is now considered an integral part of Japanese life."

Source: Living & Teaching English in Japan, 2013





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2004 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

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www.japanesecustomer.com

August 11, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter August 12th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, August 12th 2013.






#1. Housing



"According to a survey by the land ministry, 79.8 percent of Japanese people say they want to own their own home. It’s the first time in 12 years that the figure has dipped under 80 percent."



Source: the small print, June 26, 2013, Pachinko and other piles of balls, By: Steve Trautlein, Issue: 1005, Metropolis.co.jp
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/june-26-2013-4/






#2. Retail sales




"data from the METI shows that retail sales increased by 0.8% in May compared to a year earlier and by 1.5% from the previous month, but large-scale retailers saw a 0.4% year-on-year decline in sales. Further, Japanese consumer prices avoided deflationary territory in May despite a surprise decline in household spending."



Source: Abenomics: Japan May Data Indicates Success of Prime Minister's Reflationary Strategy, By JERIN MATHEW, June 28th, 2013
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/484251/20130628/japan-industrial-production-consumer-prices-shinzo-abe.htm#





#3 Demographics




"For younger Japanese, living frugally has become a way of life. Shinsuke Nagata, 34, and his girlfriend, Yoko Sutani, 29, came to shop at Hankyu Umeda, but ended up buying only $4 coffees at a stand in the store’s atrium."



Source: Getting Japan to Spend, Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, June 28th 2013,
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/29/business/global/japanese-consumers-start-to-buy-tentatively.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0







#4. Mobile Apps



"more than 10 million users across Japan have signed up to its UNIQLO Mobile Members Service, through registering e-mail addresses and downloading the UNIQLO mobile phone application. …survey ….. May…. showing that about 40% of respondents access the UNIQLO site more than once a week - making it also the most used corporate application in Japan"



Source: 10mn Japanese users sign up for Uniqlo mobile service, 28th June 2013, Uniqlo,
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/textiles-technology-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=147935





#6. Quote





" custom would not allow her (Taeko)
to marry before a husband was found for Yukiko"





Source: Title: The Makioka Sisters, Author: Junichirou Tanizaki, Translated by: Edward Seidensticker, Published by: Tuttle Publishing, Tokyo, 1958, ISBN:0293-000168-4615, Pages: 530, page 11





#7. Housing





"Housing starts in Japan rose 14.5 per cent in May from a year earlier, up for the ninth straight month, data by the land ministry showed on Friday, boosted by rising demand before next year's sales tax hike and anticipation of higher interest rates ahead."


Source: Japan May housing starts rise 14.5% y/y: govt,
Reuters, June 28th 2013,
http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/breaking-news/asia/japan-may-housing-starts-rise-145-yy-govt-20130628






* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2004 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links to many Japanese websites expire.

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www.japanesecustomer.com

August 04, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter August 5th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, August 5th 2013.






#1. Discount Airlines



"The Japanese aviation industry has long been notorious for sky-high landing fees and fuel taxes, in a market that was controlled for decades by JAL and ANA, the country’s two dominant carriers. Japanese travelers have become used to paying high fares"


Source: Japan's budget airlines hit turbulence
By Hiroshi Hiyama, JUN. 24, 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/japans-budget-airlines-hit-turbulence




#2. Labour Costs




"Over the decade, unit labour costs rose 37 per cent in Australia, compared with 29 per cent in Canada, 21 per cent in the US and Korea, 6 per cent in Germany and minus 16 per cent in Japan."



Source: Labour cost growth hits business hard, June 24, 2013
Tim Colebatch, The AGE
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/labour-cost-growth-hits-business-hard-20130623-2oqry.html#ixzz2X7GT1w8s





#3 Music



"AKB48 regularly sells over a million copies on the first day of a CD release, and their songs are a staple on Japan’s single charts together with music from squeaky clean boy band groups that emerge from Johnny’s Entertainment."


Source: As CDs Spin On in Japan, Tower Records Rocks On, By Yuko Takeo, Wall Street Journal Japan, Japan Real Time, June 24th 2013
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/06/24/as-cds-spin-on-in-japan-tower-records-rocks-on/





#4. Consumer affairs



"sources of concern involving elderly consumers, telemarketing sales stood out. Complaints about such sales practices made up 19.5 percent of the total in 2012, up sharply from the 6.2 percent recorded in 2005."


Source: Consumer problems involving senior citizens increasing sharply since 2007, June 23rd 2013, Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/23/national/consumer-problems-involving-senior-citizens-increasing-sharply-since-2007/#.Ucf_ITtXDbQ






#6. English Education



"Many Japanese university students do quite poorly in both TOEFL and the GRE, perhaps because the English language is taught in Japan primarily to pass university entrance examinations…. The average TOEFL scores of students from 30 Asian countries show that Japan ranked 27th, with only Laos, Tajikistan and Cambodia trailing behind".



Source: Top students shunning Japan, BY TAKAMITSU SAWA
Japan Times, June 24th 2013
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2013/06/24/commentary/top-students-shunning-japan/#at_pco=cfd-1.0







#7. Studying abroad



"A survey conducted in March 2012 by Disco, a Tokyo-based recruitment company, determined that less than one in four firms planned to hire Japanese applicants who had studied abroad. Even among major, blue-chip companies, less than 40 percent said they would employ Japanese who had attended a foreign university. "


Source: Tangent: Julian Ryall on how Japanese employees educated abroad are denied opportunities by Japanese companies,
Posted by debito , June 8th, 2013
http://www.debito.org/?p=11532



* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2005 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links too many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

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www.japanesecustomer.com

July 28, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter July 29th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, July 29th 2013.






#1. Social Security



"Seventy percent of social security spending is for the elderly, including pensions, while family expenses such as support for child-rearing account for only 5 percent. Out-of-pocket medical expenses shouldered by elderly people are also relatively low."


Source: Recharging Japan / Young people unhappy with gap in social security burdens,By Kazuo Otsu, June 23rd 2013, Daily Yomiuri
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000329315






#2. English





"Since English began to be introduced within the elementary school curriculum, students at even younger ages are expressing a dislike toward it. Turning English into an elementary school subject is only increasing the number of students with an aversion toward it." Kumiko Torikai, an expert in English-language education and a specially appointed professor at Rikkyo University


Source: Call for 'global human resources' throws school education into confusion, June 22, 2013, Mainichi Japan
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/features/news/20130622p2a00m0na013000c.html





#3 Agriculture



"aggressive agriculture" is, it's agriculture that makes money. It produces food for export and reaps profits in foreign currency. It's something of a catch phrase in the second volley of the government's economic growth strategy.



Source: Export-oriented 'aggressive agriculture' would violate Japan's deep traditions, May 27, 2013, Mainichi Japan
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20130527p2a00m0na002000c.html





#4. Education



"University of Tokyo President Junichi Hamada has announced the institution will introduce a quarter system by the end of the 2015 academic year by forgoing its plans to transition to autumn enrollment for the time being…..By adopting a quarter system, the university expects more students will be encouraged to study abroad as they would have four opportunities each year to start a new term."


Source: Todai confirms it will use quarter system, June 21st 2013,
Daily Yomiuri
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0000324162







#6. Quote







" Japan ….a nation truly hierarchical from top to bottom"





The Chrysanthemum and the Sword - Patterns of Japanese Culture, By Ruth Benedict, 1946, NAL Penguin Inc, New York, USA, Pages: 320, page 21







#7. Work Related Issues



"Fiscal 2012 had the highest numbers of stress disorders and suicide attempts related to work, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said…Men accounted for 348 of the workplace stress disorder cases, and women 127. By age group, 149 were in their 30s, 146 were in their 40s, and 103 were in their 20s. All three age groups were much higher than the previous fiscal year, but the 40s age group experienced a particularly large jump -- increasing to more than twice the previous figure..."


Source: Work-related stress disorders, attempted suicides hit record in fiscal 2012, June 22nd 2013, Mainichi Shimbun, http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20130622p2a00m0na005000c.html





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2005 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links too many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to our:

* Videos * Newsletter

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Visit our store for all your Japan related products

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www.japanesecustomer.com

July 21, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter July 22nd 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, July 22nd, 2013.






#1. Innovation



"one of the most watched videos in YouTube history is "Japanese Way of Folding T-Shirts" (the task takes six seconds; the video has 5,284,445 views).



Source: Back to basics, June 22, 2013, By Samantha Selinger-Morris. The Age
http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/back-to-basics-20130617-2ocyw.html#ixzz2WuaIEkL5



Video source: mushk45, You Tube Channel





#2. Customer Service




"Hanshin Electric Railway Co. has expanded its email service to notify parents when their children arrive at and leave school beyond its home market in the Kansai region to cover Tokyo and Nagoya…. IC tags attached to children’s school bags are designed to prompt email messages to their parents when the kids pass through the gates on their way in and out of school."



Source: Hanshin widens email notice to parents of kids’ arrivals, exits from school, June 22nd 2013, Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/22/national/hanshin-widens-email-notice-to-parents-of-kids-arrivals-exits-from-school/#.UcUiSedXDbQ





#3 Stress relief



"A new social phenomenon, dubbed “rui-katsu” (tear-seeking), is spreading across Japan as adults gather together to watch tear-jerking movies and cry in public as a way of releasing stress….. “People cannot fix their mental health if they bottle up their sadness or refuse to admit it to themselves. Being able to cry without worrying about their public image or appearance is an important step for them to break free from the depression that they may be going through,” 


Source: Participants ease stress levels at crying events, June 22nd
Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/22/national/participants-ease-stress-levels-at-crying-events/#.UcUjKedXDbQ





#4. Pre- Natal testing 





"The number of prenatal tests for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities using amniocentesis in Japan reached around 20,000 in 2012, up 4,000 from the previous year and double the figure 10 years earlier, reflecting an increase in late childbearing"



Source: Prenatal tests using amniocentesis rising
June 22nd 2013
Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/22/national/prenatal-tests-using-amniocentesis-rising/#.UcUj8udXDbQ






#6. Abenomics





"Abenomics has consisted of three prongs: there is broad monetary policy, second is the flexible fiscal policy, and the third one is a growth strategy that encourages private-sector investment.''




Source: Sun rises once more on Japan, June 19, 2013, Penny Pryor,
The AGE
http://www.theage.com.au/money/investing/sun-rises-once-more-on-japan-20130618-2oexe.html#ixzz2Wuh6khTh








#7. Fashion



" UNIQLO….plans to accelerate store openings across Asia….At the end of May 2013, UNIQLO operated 1,254 stores in 13 markets, including 23 stores in the four Southeast Asian countries of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines."


Source: UNIQLO opens first store in Indonesia, JUN. 22, 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/uniqlo-opens-first-store-in-indonesia









* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2005 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links too many Japanese websites expire.

* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

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www.japanesecustomer.com

July 14, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter July 15th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, July 15th, 2013.





#1. International Trade


" the electronics companies are refocusing on other markets, with India becoming a main target. Just in the past year, Japanese consumer electronic have reduced prices by 10-20 percent to match the aggressive pricing by its Korean rivals. Sony and Panasonic are adding to their retail and distribution presence across the country, not just in the cities but even beyond them."



Source: Indian demand boosts Japanese consumer electronics market
posted on JUNE 21, 2013 by IDA TORRES, Japan Daily Press
http://japandailypress.com/indian-demand-boosts-japanese-consumer-electronics-market-2130990




#2. Energy




"Japan has already spent over ¥1 trillion on the Monju project, ( prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactor) hoping the facility would play a key role in the country’s spent-fuel recycling policy."


Source: Monju operator lax on inspecting 2,100 other components
June 22nd, 2013, Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/22/national/monju-operator-lax-on-inspecting-2100-other-components/#.UcUJgudXDbQ





#3 Summer dress rules



"Among the items that workers at the environment ministry are permitted to wear as part of the government’s Super Cool Biz campaign are “polo shirts, aloha shirts and sneakers.”





Source: the small print, June 19, 2013, Haunted politicos and other ghostly sightings, By: Reg Dunlap, Jun 19, 2013, Issue: 1004, Metropolis.co.jp
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/june-19-2013-2/



#4. Legal



"The Diet enacted a law Friday aimed at preventing bullying in elementary, junior high and high schools by basically compelling the institutions to report serious cases… The new law stipulates bullying that leads to serious physical and mental damage or forces victims to be absent for long periods constitutes a “serious case” that must be reported."


Source: Diet passes anti-bullying legislation, June 21st, 2013, Japan Times
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/06/21/national/upper-house-enacts-anti-bullying-law/#at_pco=cfd-1.0





#6. Medicine





"Ophthalmologists around the country have noticed a surge in eye ailments caused by cut-rate colored contact lenses."



Source: the small print, June 19, 2013, Haunted politicos and other ghostly sightings, By: Reg Dunlap, Jun 19, 2013, Issue: 1004, Metropolis.co.jp
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/june-19-2013-2/




#7. Marketing



"The manufacturers make the comparison even easier by printing the average amount of money you will pay in electricity for a year on the outside of a given model (refrigerator) "


Source: With refrigerators, bigger is better in more ways than you think, June 19th, 2013, By Philip Brasor & Masako Tsubuku, Yen for Living, Japan Times
http://blog.japantimes.co.jp/yen-for-living/with-refrigerators-bigger-is-better-in-more-ways-than-you-think/











* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2005 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links too many Japanese websites expire.

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* Videos * Newsletter

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www.japanesecustomer.com

July 07, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter July 8th 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, July 8th, 2013.






#1. Technology Ownership



"Smartphone ownership grew sharply to 49.5 percent of households in Japan at the end of 2012 from 29.3 percent a year earlier …..Tablet PC ownership rose to 15.3 percent in late 2012 from 8.5 percent a year earlier, while regular PCs were found at 75.8 percent of households, down from 77.4 percent…. 31.4 percent of people citing smartphones as their device to access the Internet last year, nearly double from 16.2 percent a year earlier. Tablets were used by 7.9 percent … while 59.5 percent said their device was regular PCs at home" 


Source: 1 in 2 Japanese households own a smartphone, Kyodo,
Posted at 06/17/2013 ,
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/tech-biz/06/17/13/1-2-japanese-households-own-smartphone




#2. Food





"McDonald's ..Japan… will on June 24 start selling two versions of its Quarter Pounder hamburger during the summer. The Quarter Pounder, which has 150% more meat than a regular McDonald's hamburger, will come in two styles: The Quarter Pounder BLT, which is made with bacon, lettuce and tomato and will sell for 520-570 yen, and the Quarter Pounder Habanero Tomato, which is served with hot, spicy habanero sauce and will be priced at 480-520 yen."


Source: McDonald's To Sell 2 Types Of Quarter Pounder In Summer
Nikkei.com
Monday, June 17, 2013
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130617D17SS963.htm



#3 Drinks 



“We’re developing 320 milliliter bottles for train station vendors, taking into account that women can fit them in their bags and they’re easier to carry.” 

Ito En - Green Tea manufacturer



Source: Green Tea Wars Heat Up
By Joelle Metcalfe
June 18th, 2013, Wall Street Journal, Japan Real Time
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/06/18/green-tea-wars-heat-up/





#4. Resources



"BHP Billiton has jettisoned another asset, selling a 15 per cent stake in a West Australian iron ore mine to two Japanese conglomerates for $US 1.5 billion…ITOCHU corporation $US 800 million…Mitsui $US 700 million"



Source: BHP sell-off raises $1.5b, by John Dagge, Herald Sun, Saturday 22nd June, 2013, p 34





#6. Medicine




"A cancer hospital in Chiba has developed an app for tablet computers that can help elderly patients conduct self-diagnoses at home."




Source: the small print, June 19, 2013, Haunted politicos and other ghostly sightings, By: Reg Dunlap, Jun 19, 2013, Issue: 1004, Metropolis.co.jp
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/june-19-2013-2/





#7. Driving 



"The Metropolitan Police Department says 334 motorists in Tokyo have been ticketed since 2007 for failing to obey traffic signs that were, in fact, installed without official approval. The drivers have had their violations overturned."





Source: the small print, June 19, 2013, Haunted politicos and other ghostly sightings, By: Reg Dunlap, Jun 19, 2013, Issue: 1004, Metropolis.co.jp
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/the-small-print/june-19-2013-2/





* We and our content providers have tried to make the information on this website as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information. Articles, reviews, videos, photographs and my written comments are copyright.

© 2005 - 2013. All rights reserved. Quotes belong to respective owners. Note links too many Japanese websites expire.



* Don't forget to keep up to date with the latest news!

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June 23, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, June 24th, 2013

Japanese Customer Newsletter, June 24th, 2013.




#1. Food



"the Pacific oyster was introduced to Australia from Japan by the CSIRO 60 years ago….Science from Japan's Watanabe Oyster Laboratory is discovering unexpected health benefits as well. People fed with its Pacific oyster extract are claimed to report better sleep, greater levels of antioxidants, and, in men, increased sperm concentrations."


Source: How a selfish shellfish is conquering our shores
June 9, 2013, Andrew Darby, The Age Newspaper
http://www.theage.com.au/national/how-a-selfish-shellfish-is-conquering-our-shores-20130608-2nxbg.html#ixzz2VgqzcUtm




#2. Food



"Japan's two major "gyudon" beef-bowl restaurant chain operators will expand their overseas operations at an accelerated pace in the current fiscal year ending March 2014"



Source: Major Beef Bowl Chains To Expand Overseas Ops
Nikkei.com, Sunday June 9th 2013
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/freetop.aspx





#3 Music



"Rino Sashihara was voted the most popular member of all-girl singing group AKB48 in the 5th annual popularity contest before 70,000 fans at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama…Sashihara, 20, received 150,570 votes"



Source: Sashihara voted most popular AKB48 member
JUN. 09, 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/sashihara-voted-most-popular-akb48-member





#4. Prices



"The price of a soda in a vending machine has stubbornly remained the same for 15 years. Now, as back then, a can of Georgia Coffee, Pocari Sweat sports drink or Kirin Lemon soda typically sells for 120 yen, roughly $1.20"



Source: One Obstacle Won’t Budge in Japan’s Fight With Deflation
By HIROKO TABUCHI, Published: May 31, 2013, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/business/global/in-japan-a-hard-to-budge-obstacle-looms-over-the-fight-with-deflation.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0





#6. Population



" Japan’s birthrate last year hit its highest level since 1996, with the number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime rising to an average of 1.4 for the first time in 16 years….. Japan needs a birthrate of 2.07 in order to maintain its current population"


Source: Birthrate Rises – but Births Still Fall
Japan Real Time, WSJ, June 7, 2013, By Yuko Takeo
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2013/06/07/birthrate-rises-but-births-still-fall/





#7. Language



"Japanese, with its highly syllabic alphabet, often has a hard time accommodating the often chaotic nature of natural English pronunciation…NTT has revealed technology it’s working on that may one day automatically correct a Japanese person’s English pronunciation by editing the speed and rhythm while keeping the original speaker’s voice intact.…"



Source: NTT showcases technology which can 'correct' Japanese people’s English pronunciation
JUN. 09, 2013, Japan Today
http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/ntt-showcases-technology-which-can-correct-japanese-peoples-english-pronunciation







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japan, japanese, customer, consumer, news, picture, quote, video, insights, trends, business, economy, lifestyle, retail, marketing, news, www.japanesecustomer.com, @jcustomers, newsletter, #japan, #japanese, #customer, #consumer, #newsletter, 2013









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