Branding Opportunities through Vending Machines in Japan: An Unconventional…

10 March 2021
by Melissa1

By Maxim Tvorun-Dunn

This article will examine the market opportunities for branding via vending machines in Japan. We look at some of Japan’s past and present attempts to increase vending machine sales in terms of; machine design, what these attempts mean to the wholesalers supplying drinks to vending machines in Japan, and how independent owners have approached marketing via this channel.

Japan's Vending Machine Market — Olympics-branded Vending Machines with each purchase supporting athletes
Source: Shutterstock

Interviews

Promoting Collaborative Japan-Netherlands Innovation: An Interview with Maarten Hermus…

22 February 2021
by Melissa1

In order to find out more about what’s happening in the Japan-Netherlands innovation space, we sat down with Maarten Hermus, Account Manager focused on Foreign Investment at InnovationQuarter. He assists international companies in horticulture & food in their expansion to Rotterdam-The Hague area.

Maarten Hermus InnovationQuarter Netherlands — Maarten Hermus

Marketing

Celebrities in Japan: How ‘tarento’ Promote Strong Audience Engagement

19 January 2021
by Melissa1

By Emma Regan

A certain breed of celebrities in Japan, or tarento (タレント), are media personalities appearing as guests on variety TV shows who often craft unique public personas to cater to certain demographics. They differentiate from mainstream celebrities and actors. An actor would feature on a variety TV show in order to present their latest venture, whereas a tarento would regularly appear on a variety TV show, sometimes with no promotional agenda at all.

However, that is not to say tarento are not influential in their own way. Many have captured domestic and even global audiences, helping products sell out due to their immense familiarity and impact.

Here, we give an insight into the exceptional world of tarento and why they are so popular in Japan.

Industries

Climate Change in Japan: Implementing Fundamental Solutions to Resolve…

12 January 2021
by Melissa1

By Paola Marisela González

Climate Change in Japan is already being seen in evident ways such as the reduction of snow levels in the north of Japan, the cherry blossoms opening earlier, and the autumn leaves changing colour later each year.

The topic of climate change in Japan has even permeated popular culture like in the case of the movie Weathering with You (tenki no ko) which was released in 2019, earning a box office revenue of over $193.1 million USD worldwide and 14.06 billion yen ($117.7 million USD) in Japan.

Terms like climate change, climate crisis and global warming have become increasingly used in different fields, reaching a wide variety of audiences. In this article, we take a look at some of the ways in which Japanese organisations and individuals are helping to tackle the climate crisis.

Events

Upcoming Event: UK-Japan Free Trade Summit (City & Financial…

8 January 2021
by Melissa1

Interviews

Expert Guidance on Mergers and Acquisitions with Japan –…

7 December 2020
by Melissa1

Our partner, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC), is a full service London-based international law firm. Nigel Collins heads up the Japan Desk as a Partner and specialises in advising Japanese companies on their outbound transactions, including investments, disposals, restructuring, joint ventures, as well as mergers and acquisitions with Japan.

We interviewed Nigel back in June to ask how the M&A business was going, given the impact of Coronavirus. Recently, we conducted a follow-up session to find out whether there have been any further developments or opportunities with the Japanese market.

Industries

The Growth of Convenient Functional Food in Japan

2 December 2020
by Melissa1

By Paola Marisela González

Functional food in Japan, alongside functional beverages, have become very popular and are easily accessible across supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies. Japan has long been considered as a country providing healthy food innovations, including the development of regulations for manufacturing and branding such products.

Here we take a look at the main categories within the functional food and drink space in the Japanese market, highlighting some of the key health concerns that are addressed.

Functional Food in Japan Convenience Store Drinks — Source: Tokyo Night Owl

Culture

Celebrating the Magic of Christmas in Japan 2020

25 November 2020
by Melissa1

By Paola Marisela González

This year the world has faced unprecedented circumstances, however, traditions and festivities continue to bring people together even in the most challenging of times. Christmas is an occasion celebrated all over the world, but it takes on a different meaning depending on each place, and as a result there are various ways to enjoy the season. Ultimately, Christmas in Japan is no exception.

In this article, we outline some of the options available to celebrate Christmas in Japan 2020.

Case Studies

Case Study: Market Entry Research Supporting a European Integrated…

24 November 2020
by Natalie

By Melissa Francis

Integrated Resort in Japan — Source: Shutterstock

Tokyoesque assisted an Integrated Resort operator in navigating the perceptions and experiences of Japanese, Chinese and South Korean visitors to a proposed site for an Integrated Resort in Japan.

Following the legalisation of gambling in Japan in 2018, one of the largest operators of Integrated Resorts in Europe wanted to bid to open an Integrated Resort there. In order to do this, they needed to deeply understand cultural perceptions around ideas of gambling, casinos and related services among Japanese as well as Chinese and South Korean visitors. There were a number of areas that they didn’t have expertise in.

These were namely:

Japanese language ability
Direct access to the local market(s)
In-house research capabilities, and the necessary cultural knowledge.

Industries

The Dwindling Marriage Market in Japan and Innovative Ways…

17 November 2020
by Melissa1

By Emma Regan

Marriages and birth rates in Japan are decreasing every year. It is estimated that by 2040, single people will make up almost half of the Japanese population, with single-person households reaching 39% and nuclear families only representing 23% of all households. The marriage market in Japan has suffered heavy losses, however, it has found different marketing strategies to promote marriage and encourage both Japanese and foreigners alike to get married in the country and boost the economy.

Here, we explore some of the ways the marriage market in Japan is dealing with their current problem.

Tokyoesque Insights

Branding Opportunities through Vending Machines in Japan: An Unconventional…

By Maxim Tvorun-Dunn

Promoting Collaborative Japan-Netherlands Innovation: An Interview with Maarten Hermus…

Celebrities in Japan: How ‘tarento’ Promote Strong Audience Engagement

By Emma Regan

Climate Change in Japan: Implementing Fundamental Solutions to Resolve…

By Paola Marisela González

Upcoming Event: UK-Japan Free Trade Summit (City & Financial…

Expert Guidance on Mergers and Acquisitions with Japan –…

The Growth of Convenient Functional Food in Japan

By Paola Marisela González

Celebrating the Magic of Christmas in Japan 2020

By Paola Marisela González

Case Study: Market Entry Research Supporting a European Integrated…

By Melissa Francis

The Dwindling Marriage Market in Japan and Innovative Ways…

By Emma Regan

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