Business and Economy

Why This Bookstore in Tokyo is Charging Admission

Would you pay to shop in a bookstore? Many in Japan would. Here's why Bunkitsu and other admission-based bookstores are booming.

Half of Japanese Businesses Say 1500 Yen Hourly Wage “Impossible”

Prices continue to climb in Japan while wages remain stagnant, putting many in a rough spot. The government says it wants to raise the minimum wage to 1500 yen (USD $9.80) by the 2030s. However, in a survey, nearly half of businesses said they can't afford that.

Mister Donut Apologizes for Diglett “Variations” That Everyone Loves

The Diglett donuts from Mister Donut have taken Japan social media by storm, as users revel in the amusing individual variations from donut to donut. So everyone was shocked when the company apologized this week, saying the variations "weren't intentional" and it "feels bad" about the lack of uniformity.

Japan’s Christmas Cakes Are Getting So Expensive That Some Bakers Wanna Quit

The price of everything in Japan is going up lately. Christmas cakes, a holiday staple since Japan's Taisho era, are no exception. Profit margins are so tight this year some bakers say they might stop making them altogether.

FamilyMart Will Give Over 10K Famichiki Away as School Lunches

Deck the school halls with Famichiki? FamilyMart is making headlines today with its announcement of a very Japanese Christmas-themed giveaway, as it says it'll distribute over 10,000 of its boneless fried chicken fillets as free school lunches in the city of Sayama.

Japan’s Not Eating Its Vegetables. Is The Economy to Blame?

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare says Japanese people need to eat more vegetables. The exhortation has led to an online backlash, with people responding that they'd love to - if they could afford them.

Can This Japanese Company Save Subway in Japan?

The Subway brand in Japan is dying. Over half of the store's chains have closed in the past 10 years. Japan's Watami, however, thinks it can turn the struggling franchise around. Why has Subway failed to catch on here? And can Watami succeed in making it "more Japanese"?

Port Store: When a Japanese Combini Isn’t a Combini

Ever seen a combini in Tokyo that looks sorta...fake? Congratulations - you've found a port store. Here's why some Lawson and Family Mart stores in the Tokyo Bay area hide their true identity.

Japan’s Best-Paying Hourly Jobs? Costco and IKEA

Real wages in Japan have remained pathetically low for several decades. Unless, that is, you work for Costco or IKEA. As the country debates raising its minimum hourly wage, some people are asking: why can't Japanese companies be more like these two chains?

Business and Economy

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