Japan’s Seniors Show Stronger Desire to Keep Working, Outpacing the U.S., Germany and Sweden Ferre KeiraJuly 28, 202601.9K views Retirement no longer means leaving the workforce. A new Japanese government survey shows that nearly half of people aged 60 and above want to continue working, a higher proportion than… Read more
Japanese Women Eager to Learn but Face Barriers Ferre KeiraJuly 28, 202601.8K views As artificial intelligence and digital transformation reshape the workplace, lifelong learning has become increasingly important for maintaining career competitiveness. Japan’s latest gender equality report shows that women are more likely… Read more
Cocoa Prices Soar Over 170% as Alternative Ingredients Transform the Future of Food Julie HowardJuly 23, 20260179 views Extreme weather events and supply chain disruptions are causing significant price volatility in key food ingredients, including cocoa, coffee beans, and eggs. In response to climate change challenges, the development… Read more
53% of Consumers Plan to Buy More Fiber-Rich Foods as Precision Nutrition Reshapes the Global Food Market Julie HowardJuly 23, 20260184 views As global obesity rates continue to rise and consumers become increasingly health-conscious, the global food industry is shifting from emphasising large portions and satiety toward precision nutrition and calorie management.… Read more
Japan’s Tourism Boom Drives Land Values Higher as Ski Resort Hakuba Leads Growth with 32.7% Surge Ferre KeiraJuly 16, 202601.9K views Japan’s land prices continue to climb as tourism reshapes regional economies. Latest land valuation data shows nationwide land prices increased 2.9%, with popular ski and tourism destinations emerging as major… Read more
Supermarket Private Labels Gain Momentum in a Changing Retail Landscape Julie HowardJuly 16, 20260260 views Global inflation and changing consumer habits are accelerating the growth of supermarket private labels. Once viewed mainly as low-cost alternatives, private label products are now becoming high-quality choices that allow… Read more
Ice Cups Become a Summer Essential at Japanese Convenience Stores Ferre KeiraJuly 9, 202602K views As Japan’s summer heat intensifies, a simple convenience store item is gaining attention among locals and visitors alike. Ice cups, commonly used for coffee and beverages, have become a popular… Read more
Japan’s Bookstore Count Falls Below 10,000 as Destination Bookstores Attract Tourists Ferre KeiraJuly 2, 202602K views Japan’s bookstore count has dropped below 10,000 for the first time, marking the continued decline of physical bookstores. Meanwhile, destination bookstores are emerging as popular cultural attractions for both domestic… Read more
2026 Quality of Life Index: Netherlands Tops the List and Luxembourg Ranks Second Derrick SmithJuly 2, 202602.4K views According to Numbeo’s “Quality of Life Index by Country 2026 Mid-Year,” European countries occupy a majority of the top positions, while several Middle Eastern countries perform strongly. Asia-Pacific, North America,… Read more
Tokyo Metropolitan Area New Apartment Prices Rise 13.5% Year-on-Year, Outpacing Wage Growth Ferre KeiraJune 25, 202602.3K views Tokyo-area new housing prices continued to rise, with May average prices up 13.5% year-on-year, marking the third-highest level on record. Despite three consecutive years of significant wage increases, salary growth… Read more