Japanese Business

World's Longest Public Road Test of a Self-Driving Vehicle Now Underway in Japan

The test features the Macnica EVO, an electric microbus that shuttles passengers between a bullet train station and 3 hot spring resorts in rural Japan.

Apr 20 •

Costco Expands Reach Across Japan with the Support of Mini Resale Shops

Private label Kirkland Signature brand items are both a novelty and a big draw as Japanese consumers flock to Costco resale stores.

Apr 8 •

How Much Does It Cost for a Family of Four to Live in Tokyo?

Compared to the cost of living in seven other major cities around the world, Japan's capital now looks like a bargain.

Mar 28 •

Attention Global “Techpats” - Japan to Open Doors with New Digital Nomad Visa

While details of the application process have yet to be announced, Japan's new digital nomad visa is likely to attract talent from overseas.

Mar 14 •

Japan Braces for the Next “Big One” on the Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

The long-anticipated Nankai Trough earthquake and tsunami could cause 330,000 deaths and displace more than 8 million people.

Mar 12 •

Global Powder Skiing Mecca Niseko Now a Poster Child for Over-tourism

Native Japanese are being priced out, and there seems to be an undercurrent of discontent just beneath the latest dusting of snow.

Mar 9 •

Some Like It Hot: Japanese Supermarket Mogul to Sell Geothermal Energy as a Franchise

It's a novel way to harness Japan's untapped geothermal natural resources to provide the island nation with cheap, efficient and environmentally…

Mar 2 •

Weak Japanese Yen Causes Domestic and International Travel Demand to Flipflop

The double whammy of inflation and relatively anemic wage growth means no more trips to Hawaii but maybe one to Okinawa.

Feb 28 •

Back to the Future: The Nikkei 225 Just Hit an All-Time High; So What?

Take a look under the hood of the Japanese economy to get a balanced view of what this milestone may mean relative to the end of the “bubble economy” of…

Feb 23 •

Japan, Inc. Still Prioritizes Hiring New Graduates

Newly released data measures the percentage of new hires straight out of college versus external recruits at many of Japan's largest companies.

Feb 18 •

Asahi Succumbs to Competition to Pare Back Its Line of Canned "Strong" Spirits

Japan's ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage industry is trending toward lower alcohol by volume but still offers plenty of cheap options for binge…

Feb 11 •

Innovative "Venture Innkeeper Program" in Japan Seems Almost Too Good to Be True

The Super Hotel's "elevator pitch" presents an unusual business opportunity for would-be entrepreneurs with a relatively low tolerance for risk.

Feb 3 •

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