High-tech Pollen Detector by World’s Largest Weather Company
The Japanese have been wearing masks a lot since before the coronavirus. Foreigners who visit Japan always ask the question, "Why do so many people wear masks? is. There are many reasons for this, but in early spring, people with hay fever especially wear them. For this reason, pollen dispersal is broadcast on the news […]
Business Target in Japan: Japanese Company’s Sales Target and Setting Goals
Japanese Company’s Sales Target Can be Perfunctory By R. Kopp At a Japanese firm’s U.S. operation, the company’s yearly plan included the very challenging goals of 7% net margin and an increase in sales of 15%. Everyone in the company worked very hard, but despite their best efforts they were not able to achieve those goals. […]
Kyogen, the Longest Lasting Theatrical Performance in the World
By Ryoji Shimada, Staff Writer What is "Kyogen"? It is a comedy with samurai spirits in its background” The story goes… A master becomes aware that two servants have been purloining his sake (Japanese rice wine) during his absences. In an effort to discourage their thievery before departing on his next trip, the master uses […]
Eco Solutions from Japan: Environmental Products from Japan
During her visit to Japan in February 2005, Kenyan environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai was introduced mottainai campaign – an accurate reflection of the to an ancient Buddhist term that captured her imagination. That term was mottainai, a Japanese word that describes a sense of gratitude for natural resources and a […]
Marcos Bezerra Abbott Galvão: Ambassador of Brazil to Japan (current Brazilian Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels)
“We have been working together for more than 100 years” By Ryoji Shimada, staff writer Brazil, with its relatively young population of nearly 200 million and rapidly growing economy has overtaken the UK to become the world’s sixth largest economy after the US, China, Japan, Germany and France. There are even more expectations ahead of […]
Japanese-style Debate
Japanese-style Debate and Discussion By P. Pringle An All-too-common Situation in a Japanese Company Have you been in a meeting like this? The Japanese and Americans working at a Japanese multinational company are having a meeting to discuss an issue. Both sides agree to brainstorm the topic. The Japanese start asking questions. The Americans start […]
Where Does Japan's Soft-power Come From?: The Truth About Japan's Creativity
Behind Japanese Creativity The award ceremony for the Ig Nobel Prize, which is given for unique scientific research, was held online in September 2021. The prize was awarded to a Japanese research team led by Assistant Professor Hisashi Murakami of Kyoto Institute of Technology, who conducted experiments and verified why pedestrians sometimes bump into other […]
Guest House Business in Japan
A Place for Gathering, Beyond All Borders By Ryoji Shimada “The guesthouse is just a means of attaining our objective,” Takuya Kirimura admits. “Traveling makes people feel ‘flat.’ With no precondition or prejudice, people can meet new people just as one human being to another, with no barriers between them.” Kirimura is CFO of Backpackers’ […]
Bicycle Taxi in Tokyo
Boosted as “A new transport system easy on the environment as well as a moving advertising media,” vela-taxis first made their appearance in the German capital of Berlin in 1997. They were seen not only as a simple means of transport, but also as a solution to various issues, including environmental problems and stimulation of […]
Canned-food Bar Trendy in Japan
Bars that offer, in addition to drinks, a menu of canned food items --- referred to as “Can Bars” --- have begun catching on in Tokyo, Osaka and other major cities. The canned items include yakitori (grilled chicken), stewed fish, fruits, rice mixed with vegetables and others. The variety numbers in the hundreds. The prices […]