JETRO Focus Newsletter October 2008

JETRO's Focus Newsletter series provides readers with a bi-monthly snapshot of Japan's macroeconomy, as well as other important topics and trends. It is designed to analyze current developments, including those relating to Japan's economy, its business, financial, investment and political environment, as well as relevant social and cultural themes.  Subscribe online to JETRO Focus

Recent editions have covered issues including rising entrepreneurship and investor interest in Japan, the economic integration of East Asia, changing business and corporate practices, structural and corporate reform and the potential impact of postal savings reform.

 Download the October 2008 Newsletter (1,640 KB)

Japan Broadens its Position as a Cultural Trend Leader
>According to noted Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, basic business strategy dictates there are only two viable approaches...

Japan Possesses an Increasingly Vibrant Modern Art Scene
Many international art lovers are familiar with anime and the work of noted Japanese artist and sculptor Takashi Murakami, whose creations are often exhibited in...

Popularity of Japanese Food Leads to Heightened Demand
Japanese food has been popular in international markets for some time. Increased demand for healthy, specialty and upscale food products, however...

Japanese Fashion Influential Throughout Apparel Industry
The Despite the international popularity of designers such as Issey Miyake, Kenzo, Yoji Yamamoto, Comme des Garcons and Hanae Mori -- many US and other foreign consumers still view Japanese fashion as...

Japan Accentuates Efforts to Develop Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Japanese government has long been attuned to the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies – give the dramatic effect of the twin oil shocks on Japan when...

Japan Organizes Events to Facilitate Growing Interest in Japanese Fashion
Recognizing that Japanese designers lacked a convenient venue to showcase their work in Japan, Council of Fashion Designers Tokyo (CFD) organized the first Japan Fashion Week (JFW) event in the fall of 2005. By providing this central forum twice a year, media and buyers are...

Japanese Design, Entertainment and Leisure Activities are Becoming More Important in International Markets
Where US style and preferences were once seen as universal and Hollywood served as the primary arbiter of cultural taste across the planet, the world is rapidly changing. As a result, Japan now plays a far more important role than...