Akemi Terukina’s Post

One of the most popular international developments of modern Japanese culture is the ramen shop. In addition to food culture, manga content is also popular. This is why Japanese bookshop chains have recently been expanding abroad in a conspicuous way. Japanese bookshops are increasing their presence in foreign markets through a service transformation centred on manga and sundry goods. Kinokuniya and Culture Convenience Club (CCC), for example, are developing new business models for their overseas customers, with Japanese manga culture at the core. The following is an itemised summary of the situation. Overseas strategies of Kinokuniya - US initiatives: In the US, Kinokuniya Bookstore handles stationery, character goods and other general merchandise, with some shops generating more than half of their sales from general merchandise. The Austin, Texas, shop in particular sells popular Japanese manga and English-language manga of its own design, stimulating fans' desire to collect them. - FINANCIAL RESULTS: The international business has achieved record highs in both sales and net profit, with international sales now accounting for 22% of total sales. CCC's overseas expansion - Expansion into South East Asia: CCC is accelerating its expansion into the South East Asian market with the opening of an upscale form of 'Tsutaya' in Malaysia. It also handles Japanese crafts and stationery sundries, putting the quality and design of Made in Japan at the forefront. Challenges and opportunities in overseas markets - Competition and differentiation: With the rise of e-commerce, such as Amazon, and the ongoing financial difficulties of large bookstore chains, Kinokuniya is surviving in the US market through a strategy of differentiation by strengthening its general merchandise and developing original products. - Popularity of manga and anime: the global popularity of Japanese anime and the expansion of the manga fan base are contributing to increased sales of manga and related merchandise. Future prospects - Shop opening plans: Kinokuniya aims to open shops in about 30 major league cities and is also looking to open shops in Europe, while CCC plans to expand at a rate of three to four shops a year, mainly in South East Asia. - Collaboration and cost reduction: Kinokuniya and CCC are considering collaboration in overseas operations and have established a new company to handle publishing distribution. The aim is to reduce distribution costs through joint purchasing of books handled by overseas shops. This transformation is an important step for Japanese bookstores to become competitive in the global market and strengthen their ability to transmit Japanese manga culture and content internationally. Read more about the international expansion of Japanese culture here. https://lnkd.in/dWuB2YAw #marketing #branding #growthmindset #gamechager #tokyo #japan

📊 November brought some intriguing shifts in Japan's job market, as detailed in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's recent release: • A subtle decrease in the job availability ratio to 1.28, down by 0.02 points. • Meanwhile, new job offers have edged up slightly, increasing the ratio to 2.26 (+0.02 points). Diving into industry specifics: • Education and Learning Support: Up by 3.5%. • Information and Communication: A 3.4% increase. • On the flip side, Hospitality/Food Services (-12.8%), Lifestyle Services/Entertainment (-12.5%), and Manufacturing (-10.5%) are facing downturns. Read full report in Japanese: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gmiaMvTi In light of these shifts, what strategies could help the struggling sectors rebound? #LaborMarketDynamics #JapanEconomy #IndustryInsights #HRLeadership #AdaptationStrategies #WorkforceTrends #HRClub #Daijob

傳統文化中人們對死亡的忌諱和恐懼，同時與社會對 #殯葬 業工作地位認可不足有關，殯葬業的確一直面對人力短缺的問題。智能祭祀系統、虛擬追悼會等創新應用逐漸興起，顯示了科技與傳統文化融合的可能性，相信機械人亦會不久投身於此行業。 Traditional cultures often harbor taboos and fears surrounding death. This is closely linked to society's limited recognition of the funeral industry and its workers. Consequently, the industry has grappled with a persistent labor shortage. As innovative applications like intelligent memorial systems and virtual funeral services emerge, we're witnessing a promising fusion of technology and traditional customs. It's only a matter of time before robots join the workforce in this field. https://lnkd.in/gdTw9uUH

What you need now is to boldly step beyond your comfort zone, to leap across the salary chasm. Only when you can approach people with an investment mindset can you break free from the cycle of endlessly searching for someone and settling for the status quo.

Be Aware!! Shibuya Drinking Ban Starting from October 1st. - How it would affect Shibuya's vibrant youth culture. - The street drinking ban in Shibuya will be enforced, effective October 1st, 2024, aims to enhance public safety and improve the area's cleanliness by prohibiting alcohol consumption in public spaces. Supporters believe this will reduce disorderly conduct, promote a family-friendly atmosphere, and boost indoor businesses. However, critics argue that it may negatively impact Shibuya's vibrant youth culture and nightlife, potentially leading to a decline in activity and economic effects on convenience stores. Enforcement challenges also exist, as the ban may simply shift drinking to less visible areas. Overall, this regulation seeks to balance public order with Shibuya's reputation as a lively entertainment hub. Although I am not a drinker myself, this ban could have significant implications for the younger generation who crave genuine human interactions. For many young people who cannot afford expensive entertainment, gathering on the streets of Shibuya with friends and sharing drinks has been a super economical way to socialize and bond. https://lnkd.in/gX6jvU48 #Japan #Shibuya #Tokyonightlife #Drinkingban #Youthculture #

**IKEA's Market Challenge in China** - **Low-Price Strategy**: Despite IKEA's efforts to attract customers with low prices and marketing tactics, it struggles to convert foot traffic into actual furniture sales in China. - **Culinary Draw**: The brand's affordable "poor man's meal" and restaurant are popular among visitors, but many prefer to browse rather than buy. - **Online-Offline Integration**: IKEA's attempt to blend online and offline shopping experiences has not yielded the desired results, indicating a need for a more effective transformation strategy. - **Consumer Behavior**: The article highlights a trend where consumers enjoy the IKEA experience but often choose other brands for better value, turning IKEA into a leisure destination rather than a shopping one. This succinct overview captures the essence of IKEA's current predicament in the Chinese market, as detailed in the original article. #ThePricingPuzzle #IKEA #China

Japan's Ridesharing Service Faces Multiple Restrictions, Only 30 Drivers Hired - The initiative of ridesharing, where ordinary people are paid to transport passengers, began in April this year in Japan's major cities like Osaka, managed by taxi companies in a "Japanese-style" operation. - This unique Japanese system, not found overseas, is a result of considerations for the taxi industry. There are numerous restrictions on this working method, and sufficient drivers have not been recruited. - Approximately 2000 people applied to be general drivers, but as of the end of July, only 30 have been hired. - Under these rules, ridesharing is only implemented during days and times when there is a shortage of taxis, and in limited regions. This means drivers cannot work according to their own preferences. - If drivers are not free to work flexibly, the convenience of ridesharing does not increase. There are strong calls for deregulation, and discussions are ongoing within the government. #JapanNewsToday Source: Nikkei  https://lnkd.in/gQzzrTcW

Shanghai says no, Guangzhou says yes.... In a previous post today - "Bold, nasty and sarcastic" - I shared an article "我一直以为上海浦东是市场经济呢" which both mocked and criticized the Shanghai Road Transport Administration's decision yesterday to ban ride-hailing apps from picking up passengers at Pudong Airport. I wrote "The move was made "to ensure the smooth and orderly movement of traffic, especially during the Spring Festival." Today the Guangzhou City Government announced specific transportation measures for the Spring Festival period including encouraging the use of ride-hailing apps for pickups at all major mass transportation hubs including bus, rail and 白云 Airport. The online reaction to the differing attitudes and decisions by the two cities on this particular topic is rampant and telling. One common refrain is "that is why the business environment is so much more vibrant in Guangzhou and Shenzhen." However, these two comments by netizens, probably sums up best the "superiority" of the Guangzhou governance model - "自辛亥革命以来，广州在社会进步方面一直领先全国。" "广州人性化全国没得比，广州五湖四海一家亲不排外。我热爱广州。" #shanghai #guangzhou #springfestival #transportation #ridehailing #app #pickup https://lnkd.in/gr7w6mck

In 2022, the Taiwanese community in Japan surpassed 57,000, marking a 152% growth over the last decade. Particularly noteworthy is the remarkable 821% surge in the number of professionals, such as IT engineers and designers, which escalated from just over a thousand to 12,000 in the past 10 years. It is essential for Taiwan to address the challenge of #talent_outflow by improving #working_conditions and adopting enhanced #foreigner_friendly policies and measures. These efforts are crucial for attracting and retaining international professionals.

The power of sincerity and family affection can often move others, and this father and son is a good example. #Innovation #RapidPrototype #Prototyping #CNCMachining #CNCMilling #CNCRouting #3DPrinting #VacuumCasting #SheetMetal #Automotive #EV #BofongRapid https://lnkd.in/g2rWGD4j