by carterjmrn | Aug 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
One of the hottest product categories this year is that of e-readers, including the explosion of resulting business in the form of the “e-books” and other published materials. Looking at the electronic book market alone, the industry in Japan experienced annual...
by carterjmrn | Jul 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Several recently-reported successes from both U.S. and Japanese companies illustrate how rapidly Japanese consumers are adapting to the digital world. These market successes range from digital devices to social networking to online sales to electronic money; taken...
by carterjmrn | Jun 14, 2010 | Uncategorized
The anniversary of my arrival in Japan 25 years ago approaches, auspiciously this year on June 25th, and I can’t help but reflect on some of the key changes since 1985. It has been fascinating to observe Japan and Japanese consumers since the champagne-infused “bubble...
by carterjmrn | Jun 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
The arena is Tokyo, Japan, the style-savvy information capital of the world. In this media-driven society, the hot topic of the morning news can quickly become the hot gossip of the entire country. This being so, stars may have it rougher than it seems as they try to...
by carterjmrn | May 10, 2010 | Uncategorized
After years of being billed as “the world’s 2nd largest economy,” it appears that 2010 may be the year in which Japan’s economy will officially be surpassed by China’s. Since GDP comparisons are made in dollar terms, foreign exchange movements may impact the exact...
by carterjmrn | Apr 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
Walking up and down the streets of Shibuya on a Saturday afternoon, Yuuji Morimoto was surprised at what he saw. Things seemed quite different to the way they were 5 years ago when he left Japan to attend university in the United States. Everywhere he looked, there...
by carterjmrn | Mar 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
I was walking through Takashimaya in Nihombashi last week, and was impressed by its grandeur, efficient staff and presentation of luxury brands. However, I also noted its “emptiness” in terms of number of customers. Department stores, once the bastion of retail...
by carterjmrn | Jan 31, 2010 | Uncategorized
It is a breath of fresh air to start this New Year, especially when thinking back on the difference in the feeling now compared to this time last year. At that time, most businesses and consumers were literally reeling in the aftermath of the “Lehman shock,” picking...
by carterjmrn | Jan 10, 2010 | Uncategorized
Are we getting to the point where the consumer’s freedom of choice is compromised? The more progressive marketers among us have begun to talk about using consumer “conversations” as a prime source of market information and inspiration. Under this conversational model,...
