Uniqlo in Taiwan [Japanese Topic]
Fast Retailing announced on February 18 that they established the wholly owned subsidiary to develop the casual apparel shop UNIQLO in Taiwan in March. They plan to open the first shop in Taipei city around this autumn.
UNIQLO is developing about 100 stores in 7 countries or regions now. They plan to aggressively get into Europe, America and East Asia whose economic growth can be expected as a pillar of the growth strategy of Uniqlo. They have already opened the stores in Europe, America and China, etc. now. They plan to open the shop in Russia and consider getting into India etc.
Because the population of Japan is going to decrease, it is indispensable to do business in the foreign countries.
The brand value of UNIQLO is calculated with 2 billion 443 million dollars, and is worth of the value that comes in 9th place of Japanese companies.
However, that is much smaller than the rivals of the global brand. H&M is 6.3 times, Zara is 2.8 times and GAP is 1.6 times UNIQLO.
http://markezine.jp/article/detail/9487
I think that the brand value of UNIQLO depends on the overseas deployment.
If there is the store of UNIQLO in your country, please drop in!
FYI: the leadership strategies of Japan’s most successful global brands, including Toyota, Canon, and Nintendo
UNIQLO is developing about 100 stores in 7 countries or regions now. They plan to aggressively get into Europe, America and East Asia whose economic growth can be expected as a pillar of the growth strategy of Uniqlo. They have already opened the stores in Europe, America and China, etc. now. They plan to open the shop in Russia and consider getting into India etc.
Because the population of Japan is going to decrease, it is indispensable to do business in the foreign countries.
The brand value of UNIQLO is calculated with 2 billion 443 million dollars, and is worth of the value that comes in 9th place of Japanese companies.
However, that is much smaller than the rivals of the global brand. H&M is 6.3 times, Zara is 2.8 times and GAP is 1.6 times UNIQLO.
http://markezine.jp/article/detail/9487
I think that the brand value of UNIQLO depends on the overseas deployment.
If there is the store of UNIQLO in your country, please drop in!
FYI: the leadership strategies of Japan’s most successful global brands, including Toyota, Canon, and Nintendo
- 作者: Yozo Hasegawa
- 出版社/メーカー: Wiley
- 発売日: 2010/03/01
- メディア: ペーパーバック
Facebook in Japan [Japanese Topic]
http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/pickup/20100216/1031024/
Facebook established the Japanese office as the base to develop the new platform for the mobile phones in Japan. The beginning time etc. are undecided.
Japanese version of Facebook that started in May, 2008 has about one million users now, but they thought that it was indispensable to exhance the service for the mobile phones to increase the users as well as other Japanese SNS services.
In Japan, many users use the SNS services with the mobile phone rather than PC.
Facebook is the SNS top share in more than not only the United States but also 100 countries in all parts of the world, and the number of members exceeds 350 million. However, Facebook is not popular in Japan compared with the Japanese SNS serves which are mixi, GREE, and モバゲー.
SNS is the communication service, so it depends on the language a lot.
Especially, Japanese don't accept the services with the foreign languages, so Japanese tend to use the Japanese SNS services. This is the barrier to entry for the foreign services.
I think it's a good opportunity to communicate with the foreign people in Engish using Facebook, but...
Facebook established the Japanese office as the base to develop the new platform for the mobile phones in Japan. The beginning time etc. are undecided.
Japanese version of Facebook that started in May, 2008 has about one million users now, but they thought that it was indispensable to exhance the service for the mobile phones to increase the users as well as other Japanese SNS services.
In Japan, many users use the SNS services with the mobile phone rather than PC.
Facebook is the SNS top share in more than not only the United States but also 100 countries in all parts of the world, and the number of members exceeds 350 million. However, Facebook is not popular in Japan compared with the Japanese SNS serves which are mixi, GREE, and モバゲー.
SNS is the communication service, so it depends on the language a lot.
Especially, Japanese don't accept the services with the foreign languages, so Japanese tend to use the Japanese SNS services. This is the barrier to entry for the foreign services.
I think it's a good opportunity to communicate with the foreign people in Engish using Facebook, but...
Smart Phone Battle [Japanese Topic]
The world's largest class of the wireless industry event, "Mobile World Congress 2010" began in Barcelona in Spain on February 15.
Sony Ericsson announced "Xperia X10 mini" that is a new version of "Xperia" and it is reported on a large scale again as a "iPhone opposition" in Japan.
http://jpn-topics.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-01-27-1
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/docs/event/mwc2010/20100215_349123.html
Samsung also announced a new smart phone.
Finally, smart phones have become the main battlefield in the mobile phone industry.
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/docs/event/mwc2010/20100215_349127.html
Samsung's new smart phone adopts the original platform named "bada".
There are a lot of the platforms that include iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone 7 Series, Symbian and Palm etc. it is expected that intense fights of the platforms will occur in the mobile phone industry involving application venders, mobile phone manufacturer and mobile careers.
However, it is regrettable as Samsung's smart phone doesn't have Japanese..
******************
Windows Phone 7 Series that Microsoft announced on February 15 is a big topic also in Japan.
This year's most attractive gadgets must be smart phones!
Sony Ericsson announced "Xperia X10 mini" that is a new version of "Xperia" and it is reported on a large scale again as a "iPhone opposition" in Japan.
http://jpn-topics.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-01-27-1
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/docs/event/mwc2010/20100215_349123.html
Samsung also announced a new smart phone.
Finally, smart phones have become the main battlefield in the mobile phone industry.
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/docs/event/mwc2010/20100215_349127.html
Samsung's new smart phone adopts the original platform named "bada".
There are a lot of the platforms that include iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone 7 Series, Symbian and Palm etc. it is expected that intense fights of the platforms will occur in the mobile phone industry involving application venders, mobile phone manufacturer and mobile careers.
However, it is regrettable as Samsung's smart phone doesn't have Japanese..
******************
Windows Phone 7 Series that Microsoft announced on February 15 is a big topic also in Japan.
This year's most attractive gadgets must be smart phones!
タグ：smart phone mobile XPERIA Mobile World Congress iPhone Android bada Sony Ericsson Samsung スマートフォン Windows Phone 7 Series
ISDB-T [Japanese Topic]
http://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/02tsushin08_000004.html
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on February 13 that they had signed the memo concerning the introduction of the Japanese terrestrial digital broadcasting method (ISDB-T method) with the Chile government. They will set up the working groups with the private companies to cooperate on the technology transfer and the personnel training, etc. The Chile government had decided the adoption of the Japanese method(ISDB-T) in September, 2009.
There are three international standards of the terrestrial digital broadcasting method that are the Japanese method (ISDB-T method), the European method (DVB-T method) and the United States method (ATSC method)). These methods are very competitive in the world.
Japan has appealed the adoption of ISDB-T method to South American countries.
Brazil adopted ISDB-T method in June, 2006, began to broadcast in December, 2007 and now broadcasts in 28 cities (population cover rate 65% or more).
ISDB-T method is adopted by Peru in April, 2009, by Argentina in August, 2009, by Venezuela in October 2009 and they try to start broadcasting early.
Moreover, Japan is appealing to South American countries (Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay, etc.) that have not decided the method yet in cooperation with Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela that has already adopted it. Japan is appealing to Philippines in Asia.
I hope ISDB-T method will spread to foreign countries unlike Japanese mobile phone industry.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on February 13 that they had signed the memo concerning the introduction of the Japanese terrestrial digital broadcasting method (ISDB-T method) with the Chile government. They will set up the working groups with the private companies to cooperate on the technology transfer and the personnel training, etc. The Chile government had decided the adoption of the Japanese method(ISDB-T) in September, 2009.
There are three international standards of the terrestrial digital broadcasting method that are the Japanese method (ISDB-T method), the European method (DVB-T method) and the United States method (ATSC method)). These methods are very competitive in the world.
Japan has appealed the adoption of ISDB-T method to South American countries.
Brazil adopted ISDB-T method in June, 2006, began to broadcast in December, 2007 and now broadcasts in 28 cities (population cover rate 65% or more).
ISDB-T method is adopted by Peru in April, 2009, by Argentina in August, 2009, by Venezuela in October 2009 and they try to start broadcasting early.
Moreover, Japan is appealing to South American countries (Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay, etc.) that have not decided the method yet in cooperation with Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela that has already adopted it. Japan is appealing to Philippines in Asia.
I hope ISDB-T method will spread to foreign countries unlike Japanese mobile phone industry.
Olympics [Japanese Topic]
The Vancouver Olympics began finally today! I'm sure to become lack of sleep for a while.
Recently, Japanese companies have not strongly supported the winter sports due to the recession and consequently, Japan has not been able to get many medals in the recent Olympics.
However, the local paper Vancouver San in Vancouver published on February 10 that Japan will get eight medals (silver 3 and copper 5). It is terrific! It is more than the expectation of Japaese.
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2010021100070
In Japan, Mao Asada of the figure skating and Aiko Uemura of the free-style mogul girl are paid to attention the most. If these two girls take the gold medals, Japanese will be excited, recover their confidence and Nikkei stock prices go up sharply!
I have already reserved recording the programs that broadcast that two games on my DVD recorder not to miss them.
FYI: Photograph collection of Mao Asada
FYI: DVD of Aiko Uemura
![2U(トゥー・ユー)~SKIの神様と過ごした日々の記録2編 [DVD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/511Sd2szROL._SL160_.jpg "2U(トゥー・ユー)~SKIの神様と過ごした日々の記録2編 [DVD]")
Recently, Japanese companies have not strongly supported the winter sports due to the recession and consequently, Japan has not been able to get many medals in the recent Olympics.
However, the local paper Vancouver San in Vancouver published on February 10 that Japan will get eight medals (silver 3 and copper 5). It is terrific! It is more than the expectation of Japaese.
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2010021100070
In Japan, Mao Asada of the figure skating and Aiko Uemura of the free-style mogul girl are paid to attention the most. If these two girls take the gold medals, Japanese will be excited, recover their confidence and Nikkei stock prices go up sharply!
I have already reserved recording the programs that broadcast that two games on my DVD recorder not to miss them.
FYI: Photograph collection of Mao Asada
浅田真央 奇跡(ミラクル)の軌跡~ファースト・フォトブック (写真集)
- 作者: 浅田 真央
- 出版社/メーカー: 新書館
- 発売日: 2010/01/23
- メディア: 大型本
FYI: DVD of Aiko Uemura
2U(トゥー・ユー)~SKIの神様と過ごした日々の記録2編 [DVD]
- 出版社/メーカー: インディーズ・メーカー
- メディア: DVD
Panda [Japanese Topic]
http://jp.ibtimes.com/article/biznews/100213/50361.html
After "リンリン"("Ling Ling") in April 2008 had died, the number of visitors to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo decreased to 3 million per year due to the absense of a panda.
On February 11, Tokyo basically agreed with China Wildwife Conservation Association to rent a pair of pandas to pay 950,000 dollars a year for the purpose of a joint research about a panda.
A panda is the most popular animal in Japan and Ueno Zoo without the pandas is disappointing.
If the pandas come next year, Ueno Zoo becomes attractive and lively again.
Japanese look forward to seeing the pandas again.
FYI: Panda related DVDs below. These are popular in Japan.
![パンダフルライフ [DVD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518oUURInhL._SL160_.jpg "パンダフルライフ [DVD]")
![カンフー・パンダ スペシャル・エディション [DVD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qLA5ZvwWL._SL160_.jpg "カンフー・パンダ スペシャル・エディション [DVD]")
After "リンリン"("Ling Ling") in April 2008 had died, the number of visitors to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo decreased to 3 million per year due to the absense of a panda.
On February 11, Tokyo basically agreed with China Wildwife Conservation Association to rent a pair of pandas to pay 950,000 dollars a year for the purpose of a joint research about a panda.
A panda is the most popular animal in Japan and Ueno Zoo without the pandas is disappointing.
If the pandas come next year, Ueno Zoo becomes attractive and lively again.
Japanese look forward to seeing the pandas again.
FYI: Panda related DVDs below. These are popular in Japan.
- 出版社/メーカー: 松竹
- メディア: DVD
- 出版社/メーカー: パラマウント ホーム エンタテインメント ジャパン
- メディア: DVD
Chinese tourists [Japanese Topic]
Due to the influence of the world economic crisis and new influenza, the number of foreign tourists who visited Japan decreased by 18.7% to 6.79 million in 2009 from a year ago, but the number of tourists from a Chinese continent increased by 0.6% to 1million in 2009 from a year ago .thanks to Japanese Government's having begun the issue of the individual tourist visa in July 2009.
They say the target of the visit to Japan by Chinese tourists is Onsen(a hot spring) and shopping.
Today's television program broadcast some Chinese tourists bought a large amount of electrical appliances in Akihabara. There was a Chinese who spent as much as three million yen to buy the electrical appliances!
Moreover, they say the hotels and inns of various places in Japan prepare to receive a lot of Chinese tourists in the middle of this month that is the Spring Festival of China.
Recently, local economy in Japan is cooling down, so a lot of Chinese tourists are expected to have a big economic effect on local economy.
I would like Chinese to come to the showplace in various Onsen to be relaxed.
FYI： iPhone application that you can search Onsen in Japan
http://www.appbank.net/2010/02/11/iphone-application/92434.php
FYI： You can take a bath at home like Onsen with below..
They say the target of the visit to Japan by Chinese tourists is Onsen(a hot spring) and shopping.
Today's television program broadcast some Chinese tourists bought a large amount of electrical appliances in Akihabara. There was a Chinese who spent as much as three million yen to buy the electrical appliances!
Moreover, they say the hotels and inns of various places in Japan prepare to receive a lot of Chinese tourists in the middle of this month that is the Spring Festival of China.
Recently, local economy in Japan is cooling down, so a lot of Chinese tourists are expected to have a big economic effect on local economy.
I would like Chinese to come to the showplace in various Onsen to be relaxed.
FYI： iPhone application that you can search Onsen in Japan
http://www.appbank.net/2010/02/11/iphone-application/92434.php
FYI： You can take a bath at home like Onsen with below..
- 出版社/メーカー: アース製薬
- メディア: ヘルスケア&ケア用品
3D TV and BD Player [Japanese Topic]
http://av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20100209_347971.html
On February 9, Panasonic announced the sale of the televisions for 3D, Blu-ray Player for 3D, and Blu-ray Recorders for 3D for the first time in the world.
I'm glad that a Japnese maker release 3D products first in the world.
By the way, In Japan, there is "The recorded broadcast programs are left in the DVD Discs or Blu-ray Discs" culture unlike other countries, and "Blu-ray Recorder" that is something like "PVR(Personal Video Recoreder)" with Blu-ray sells good in Japan.
On the other hand, Blu-ray Player doesn't sell good in Japan like the US and Euro.
Well, regarding 3D in Japan, "Avatar" is popular and the performance of last week is the best in Japan.
Moreover, the CS digital broadcasting "スカパー!HD"(provided by SKYPerfecTV!) plan to begin 3D programs in this summer.
3D is expected as one of the technologies Japan has the advantages in the world. However, Samsung and LG also announced the products for 3D, so it is likely to become severe fights!
Currently, manufacturers try to make the boom of 3D, but I do not think that 3D becomes popular so much.
I think people have already been satisfied with the products for HD...
I can't be relaxed at home to watch TV with glasses.
On February 9, Panasonic announced the sale of the televisions for 3D, Blu-ray Player for 3D, and Blu-ray Recorders for 3D for the first time in the world.
I'm glad that a Japnese maker release 3D products first in the world.
By the way, In Japan, there is "The recorded broadcast programs are left in the DVD Discs or Blu-ray Discs" culture unlike other countries, and "Blu-ray Recorder" that is something like "PVR(Personal Video Recoreder)" with Blu-ray sells good in Japan.
On the other hand, Blu-ray Player doesn't sell good in Japan like the US and Euro.
Well, regarding 3D in Japan, "Avatar" is popular and the performance of last week is the best in Japan.
Moreover, the CS digital broadcasting "スカパー!HD"(provided by SKYPerfecTV!) plan to begin 3D programs in this summer.
3D is expected as one of the technologies Japan has the advantages in the world. However, Samsung and LG also announced the products for 3D, so it is likely to become severe fights!
Currently, manufacturers try to make the boom of 3D, but I do not think that 3D becomes popular so much.
I think people have already been satisfied with the products for HD...
I can't be relaxed at home to watch TV with glasses.
Kitty and Jewel Pet [Japanese Topic]
Is Hello Kitty popular in your country?
Hello Kitty is popular among the both children and adults woman for a long time in Japan. When my daughters were small, they had a lot of Hello Kitty related goods such as clothes, bags, stationeries and so on.
Sanrio has Hello Kitty's license right and the consolidated operating profit in the third quarter oｆ the fiscal year 2009 was 6.11 billion yen (5.2% increase from a year ago). Because sales of the license right in Europe seemed to be strong, so the popularity of Hello Kitty in Europe might be high.
http://jp.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idJPJAPAN-13745620100205
In Japan, there are many "Sanrio shop" that is the specialty store of Sanrio and deals in products featuring popular characters Sanrio offers.
When I went there after a long time today, I noticed the change of characters exhibited.
There ware a lot of products of "Jewel Pet", a new character as well as Hello Kitty.
"Jewel Pet" seems to be very popular among the girls and the animated cartoon program about "Jewel Pet" is broadcast in Japan every week. My daughers watch the program recorded with my DVD recorder every day!
It is sure to become popular even all over the world sooner or later.
FYI: If you're interested in Jewel Pet, you'd better watch the DVD below.
![ジュエルペット 第1巻 [DVD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Bi5ZF8u0L._SL160_.jpg "ジュエルペット 第1巻 [DVD]")
FYI: Recently, my daughters love the book below.
Hello Kitty is popular among the both children and adults woman for a long time in Japan. When my daughters were small, they had a lot of Hello Kitty related goods such as clothes, bags, stationeries and so on.
Sanrio has Hello Kitty's license right and the consolidated operating profit in the third quarter oｆ the fiscal year 2009 was 6.11 billion yen (5.2% increase from a year ago). Because sales of the license right in Europe seemed to be strong, so the popularity of Hello Kitty in Europe might be high.
http://jp.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idJPJAPAN-13745620100205
In Japan, there are many "Sanrio shop" that is the specialty store of Sanrio and deals in products featuring popular characters Sanrio offers.
When I went there after a long time today, I noticed the change of characters exhibited.
There ware a lot of products of "Jewel Pet", a new character as well as Hello Kitty.
"Jewel Pet" seems to be very popular among the girls and the animated cartoon program about "Jewel Pet" is broadcast in Japan every week. My daughers watch the program recorded with my DVD recorder every day!
It is sure to become popular even all over the world sooner or later.
FYI: If you're interested in Jewel Pet, you'd better watch the DVD below.
- 出版社/メーカー: メディアファクトリー
- メディア: DVD
FYI: Recently, my daughters love the book below.
ジュエルペット マジカル☆シールブック (まるごとシールブック)
- 作者:
- 出版社/メーカー: 小学館
- 発売日: 2009/04/23
- メディア: 単行本
The latest work of Ghibli [Japanese Topic]
http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0022300
The release date of the new movie of "スタジオ・ジブリ"("Studio Ghibli") that is "借りぐらしのアリエッティ"("Karigurashi-No-Ariettei") was decided on July 17.
It must be the smash hit because it is released just before this summer vacation.!
The original of "借りぐらしのアリエッティ" seems to be "床下の小人たち"("The Borrowers")" authored by Mary Norton.
A series of "スタジオ・ジブリ"("Studio Ghibli") works are very popular in Japan.
I like "となりのトトロ"("Tonari-No-Totoro") the best in the movies of "スタジオ・ジブリ"("Studio Ghibli").
My daughters also love it and they sometimes watch the DVD in English mode.
FYI: Tonari-No-Totoro
![となりのトトロ [DVD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q4A2WY0HL._SL160_.jpg "となりのトトロ [DVD]")
FYI: PONYO
![崖の上のポニョ [DVD]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51thLhG08hL._SL160_.jpg "崖の上のポニョ [DVD]")
The release date of the new movie of "スタジオ・ジブリ"("Studio Ghibli") that is "借りぐらしのアリエッティ"("Karigurashi-No-Ariettei") was decided on July 17.
It must be the smash hit because it is released just before this summer vacation.!
The original of "借りぐらしのアリエッティ" seems to be "床下の小人たち"("The Borrowers")" authored by Mary Norton.
A series of "スタジオ・ジブリ"("Studio Ghibli") works are very popular in Japan.
I like "となりのトトロ"("Tonari-No-Totoro") the best in the movies of "スタジオ・ジブリ"("Studio Ghibli").
My daughters also love it and they sometimes watch the DVD in English mode.
FYI: Tonari-No-Totoro
- 出版社/メーカー: ブエナ・ビスタ・ホーム・エンターテイメント
- メディア: DVD
FYI: PONYO
- 出版社/メーカー: ウォルトディズニースタジオホームエンターテイメント
- メディア: DVD
