Culture Every year, on November 3rd, the nation comes together to celebrate the culture of Japan through many festivities and events in all prefectures for Culture Day (文化の日). But what do these celebrations consist of and how will Culture Day in Japan be celebrated this year amid the global pandemic?
Culture Halloween has become increasingly celebrated around the world in the past decades, and Japan is no exception to this. However, in every country, Halloween is adapted to suit local interests, and this has made Halloween in Japan a very unique celebration especially in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
Consumer Insights 
This week, we take a look at Japan’s pet sector, exploring the bigger picture as well as honing in on some of the key trends driving this sector, which is currently worth around ¥1.6 trillion JPY and remaining steady, with no real decline or increase in growth.
Read more “Japan’s pet sector: Sniffing out fresh opportunities”
Industries After the second world war, Japan needed to boost its economy and did so by manufacturing vehicles. Now, the nation is world-leading in the automotive industry and is widely known for its cutting-edge technology and invigorating ideas. Here, we look at how Japan has catered to the domestic and global market through its peculiar characteristics, response to globalized supply chains, shift to green technology, and how the worldwide pandemic has affected the Japanese automotive market.
Read more “The Japanese Automotive Market: Driving Strong Demand in 2020 and Beyond”
Business On 11th September, the UK-Japan trade deal was announced to come into effect at the beginning of 2021. It was called a ‘historic moment’ by the British government as it was the first major trade deal for the UK as an independent nation after the announcement of the UK leaving the EU. But what does the trade agreement between the two nations consist of and how will it build a bridge between them?
Read more “Mutually Beneficial: the UK-Japan Trade Deal”
Industries 
Performers and workers in the entertainment industry all around the world are facing an economic struggle after the closure of opera houses, theatres and concert halls as part as the measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. In Japan’s performing arts sector, most artists are freelancers who had an average income of between two and three million yen before the pandemic. Most of them are have not been working for months or have seen their earnings reduced substantially without regular performances.
Read more “The Struggle Faced by Japan’s Performing Arts Sector during Covid-19”
Industries Ice cream has always been a worldwide favourite when it comes to the variety of delicious confectionery on offer. Believed to have originated circa 200BC, where Alexander the Great would enjoy a mixture of snow and ice, flavoured with honey and nectar, the milk-based ice cream we are familiar with originated from China during the Tang period. It spread through Europe between the 16th and 17th century and continued to grow into what we know it as today. Japan’s appreciation for ice cream occurred during the 20th century, yet was perceived as a luxury.
So how did Japan’s ice cream market open up and become known as the world’s top ice cream innovator? Here we give a cultural insight into the different types of Japanese ice cream brands, products, flavours, as well as opportunities within Japan’s ice cream market.
Industries Coffee is one of those universal staples that keeps us feeling alert and ready to face the day. But how do Japanese consumers relate to coffee and how has the popular beverage become a core part of their everyday lives? Here, we explore the Japanese coffee market, related innovations, major players, and where there are opportunities to tap into the market.
Industries IoT, the ‘Internet of Things’ is a growing and highly future-focused sector with close links to developments in various areas of technology, including; 5G, sensors, smart home devices, and AI to name a few. So what does IoT in Japan look like, and where do opportunities exist for further expansion?
Industries In this article, we provide an overview of Japan’s energy sector, key statistics, consumption trends among consumers and businesses, highlight the major Japanese companies operating in the energy, specifically renewable energy sector, and how to get involved.
