Why Do Japanese Firms Favor Japanese Suppliers?
The capital of Japan is Tokyo, but before that it was in Kyoto for over 1000 years. The people of Kyoto value history very highly. It is the same in business, and they take good care of their customers and business partners that they have known for a long time. There are still many stores […]
Preserving the Past in Japan: Registered Tangible Cultural Property (buildings and their plots)
More than 9,000 Important Cultural Properties Listed In a country that sits precariously on a part of the globe rife with earthquakes and volcanic activity, there has always been a concept in Japanese culture that good things are not long for this world. One only has to study the poetry or language of the country […]
Future Dreams of Japanese Children
Japanese Children's Dreams By D. McCaughan Japan is a place where a lot of time is spent reflecting on the past. I have lived here for nearly 10 years, and nearly every piece of research I have seen, all the reports on the state of economy, all the books and articles on Japanese society seem […]
Japan as the World’s Most Rapidly Aging Society (3) Elderly Care Business
By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer Japan's New Day Care Service Makes Elderly Feel at Home It looks just like a private home, but is actually a day care center (a non-residential facility) for elderly people where they can relax on the sofa or enjoy chatting around a dining table. Small-scale day care centers dubbed Sawa […]
Japan as the World’s Most Rapidly Aging Society (2) Employment
Part 2: Balancing out the Supply and Demand in Elderly Job Market By Florian Kohlbacher & Hendrik Mollenhauer According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, the Japan’s population will decrease to around 87 millions in 2060 from the current 128 millions. But working population is more dramatic. It will halve from […]
Rediscovering Japan’s Technology
Experience Japan's Technology By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer JR Osaka Station is the largest rail terminal in this prefecture of 9 million people. Following years of redevelopment, the multi-use Umekita Grand Front Osaka complex, on the station’s north side has been buzzing since its opening, which took place on April 26. In its first month […]
Ways to Boost One’s Mood During the Rainy Season in Japan
Soak in a relaxing hot bath, Drink coffee, tea or herb tea, Drink alcoholic beverages, Go on drives, Eat out at restaurants, Do exercises such as stretching or yoga, Go to health-oriented spas or for massage, Prepare elaborate meals, Other, Nothing in particular Source: DO HOUSE Inc. survey of 1,199 males and females ages 25~69 […]
Japan as the World’s Most Rapidly Aging Society (1) Elderly Business
Japan, the country with the most aged population The Japanese economy averaged a 9.1% increase in real GDP from FY 1956 to FY 1973. In 1968, it overtook West Germany to become the world’s second largest economy in terms of GDP, and while it maintained an average growth rate of about 5% through the 1980s, […]
Gifts, Favors and Obligations in Japanese Business
By P. Pringle Returning Favor Immediately in Japan I heard this story from Bill at a training session recently. He has been working for a Japanese company in the US for a couple of years. On the day in question he had been working late and left his office at about 6:30pm. The parking lot […]
Machikon: Revitalizing Local Economies and Raising the Birth Rate in Japan
What is "gokon"? By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer “I haven’t had a chance to meet a romantic partner since I started to work full-time,” is a common complaint heard from young businesspeople. They try friends’ introductions, social events and gatherings, parties, various online and offline match-making services, social-networking services and so on. They use many […]