by carterjmrn | Nov 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
I’ve always chuckled at the way Japan seems to think it is the only place in the world that actually has “4 seasons,” and the news reporting about the ups and downs of sales related to the seasons always awakens my inner marketing cynic. On the other hand, this past...
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 | 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...