Business and Economy

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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…

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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…

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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…

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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…

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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?

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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,…

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

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

Separate Spousal Surnames: Japan Business Group Says Law Must Change

Japanese spouses can't legally have separate last names. The head of the Keidanren, Japan's most powerful business group, says that's impeding the…