Business and Economy

Will Eat-in Spaces in Japan’s Combini Disappear?

There's no eating in the convenience store! At least, not anymore. FamilyMart has announced it'll shutter around a third of its eat-in spaces. Could this kickstart a trend?

The Tokaido Shinkansen Celebrates 60 Years of Awesome

Happy birthday! This month, the Tokaido Shinkansen celebrated its 60th anniversary. Learn more about the bullet train's history and how it revolutionized travel in Japan - and the world.

Staffless Shops in Japan See Success – and Theft

Japan is renowned for its customer service. However, in the near future, there may be no one serving you at all. Here's why even major chains like Mister Donut are using staffless shops - and how they're contending with theft.

As Summers Heat Up, Smelly Customers Challenge Japan’s “Omotenashi”

A user at one game center in Japan reeked so badly that customers complained, and employees said they "wanted to vomit." As Japan's summers heat up, businesses wrestle with how to tell their customers that they need to shower more.

Are Japan’s Amazon Drivers at Their Breaking Point?

A series of news reports - and a new movie - have taken Amazon Japan to task for the stress it puts on delivery drivers.

Have South Korean Convenience Stores Eclipsed Japan’s Combini?

Korean convenience stores now outnumber Japanese ones per capita. But what’s behind their success, and what makes them different? We look at both - and discuss why combini are struggling while pyeoneuijeom are taking off.

With Japan’s New Money Out, Whither the 2000 Yen Bill?

There's a lot of excitement around Japan's new money. But what will happen to the increasingly rare 2000 yen bill?

Why Japan’s Combini are Increasingly Powered by Foreign Exchange Students

Labor-strapped convenience stores in Japan are increasingly turning to exchange students to work the shifts Japanese workers don't want. In some cases, students are practically running the store.

Will Toyota Implement a Four-Day Work Week?

As workers continue to struggle with work/life balance, Toyota may become the latest Japanese company to implement a flexible work schedule.

Business and Economy

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