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Narrative Japan
Narrative Japan Podcasts
20 episodes
19 hours ago
A podcast decoding modern Japan through dialogues between Sakura, a university student, and Professor Haru. Together, they explore the ideas, people, and transformations shaping Japan’s economy and society today. ----------------- 【Recommended for Listeners Who...】 ・Enjoy learning about economics and business through engaging, story-driven conversations ・Are curious about emerging trends and quiet revolutions shaping Japan today
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Business
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All content for Narrative Japan is the property of Narrative Japan Podcasts and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
A podcast decoding modern Japan through dialogues between Sakura, a university student, and Professor Haru. Together, they explore the ideas, people, and transformations shaping Japan’s economy and society today. ----------------- 【Recommended for Listeners Who...】 ・Enjoy learning about economics and business through engaging, story-driven conversations ・Are curious about emerging trends and quiet revolutions shaping Japan today
Show more...
Business
Episodes (20/20)
Narrative Japan
Inside Japan's Theme Park Boom: Data, Heat & New Frontiers

Discover how Japan's theme park industry achieved record-breaking revenue despite fewer visitors, through dynamic pricing, data analytics, and innovative solutions to climate challenges.




◆Introduction: Japan's theme parks are revolutionizing entertainment with smart strategies and cutting-edge innovation.

Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they explore Japan's booming theme park industry, which hit ¥892.6 billion in revenue in 2024. Learn about dynamic pricing strategies, the new Junglia Okinawa park, extreme heat countermeasures, and how data analytics is transforming visitor experiences across Tokyo Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan, and beyond.




◆Related Page

Why Are Theme Parks So Expensive?

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO90294430Y5A720C2EAC000/


‘Junglia Okinawa’ Opens: Three Key Indicators That Will Decide the Success of This New-Style Theme Park

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC2251M0S5A720C2000000/


Why Are Theme Parks Raising Prices? New Services and Inflation Drive Increases

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCD3121X0R30C25A5000000/


Katana CEO Tsuyoshi Morioka: ‘We’ll Make Junglia Okinawa a Success and Export Theme Parks Across Asia’

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUF258270V20C25A6000000/


Scorching Heat Hits Theme Parks: July Spending Down 12% as Operators Struggle to Keep Guests Cool

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC0171K0R00C25A8000000/


Data Analysis and Utilization in the Theme Park Industry

https://www.ever-rise.co.jp/dx-blog/theme-park-data-utilization/


SMBC Card Reports Spending Trends Among Inbound Tourists: Credit Card Payments Up 50.4% from 2019

https://markezine.jp/article/detail/48038



◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.
Show more...
2 days ago
8 minutes 6 seconds

Narrative Japan
Japan's $67B Drugstore Revolution: How Pharmacies Disrupted Retail

Japan's drugstores just hit $67 billion in sales—surpassing supermarkets by selling groceries, prescriptions, and cosmetics under one roof. Discover the hybrid retail revolution reshaping Japanese commerce.




◆Introduction: How Japanese pharmacies evolved into lifestyle superstores that are winning the retail war

In 2024, Japan's drugstore industry crossed a historic milestone: 10 trillion yen ($67B) in total sales. These aren't your typical pharmacies—they're hybrid retail powerhouses combining food, medicine, beauty products, and digital health services. Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they explore how companies like Welcia, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, and Cosmos Pharmaceutical are disrupting traditional supermarkets through strategic M&A, EDLP pricing, and innovative co-location with pharmacies. This episode reveals the front-end/back-end business model driving Japan's most dynamic retail transformation.




◆Related Page

Drugstore Giants Compete: Cosmos Pushes Food to 60% as Prescription Services Still Have Room to Grow

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUB176I10X10C25A9000000/


Welcia Holdings Unveils New Food-Focused Store Format — Nine Locations Planned by FY2026, in Partnership with Aeon

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC169SN0W5A910C2000000/


Create SD to Use M&A as a Growth Driver, Targeting Small Pharmacy Chains and Supermarkets

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC09AKX0Z00C25A9000000/


AJS Chairman Tajiri: ‘Industry Consolidation Is Inevitable

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC101RZ0Q5A111C2000000


Sugi Pharmacy Uses Its App to Sharpen Customer Service — Revenue Rises for 15th Straight Mid-Year Period

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD266890W5A920C2000000/


MatsukiyoCocokara, a Standout in M&A, Aims for ROE Above 12%

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC209DD0Q5A820C2000000/


Sundrug’s April–September Net Profit Up 7% as Price Hikes Lift Food Unit Prices

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOTG144030U5A111C2000000




◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

Show more...
1 week ago
8 minutes 59 seconds

Narrative Japan
Japan's Grave Crisis: AI Ancestors & Digital Afterlife

Japan faces a burial crisis: 166,000 graves closed in 2023. Discover how AI ancestors, virtual cemeteries, and time-limited graves are revolutionizing death culture in the world's most aging society.




◆Introduction: Where tradition meets technology in Japan's graveyard revolution

As Japan's birthrate plummets and 300,000 graves vanish yearly by 2040, families are abandoning ancestral tombs. But innovation rises from the ashes: AI recreates the deceased for conversations, metaverse cemeteries host virtual gatherings, and time-limited graves solve the burden of eternal maintenance. Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they explore how Japan is reimagining death, memory, and farewell in the digital age—balancing 1,000 years of tradition with cutting-edge Death Tech solutions.




◆Related Page

Can’t Maintain Family Graves Anymore — Mourning Through ‘Death Tech’

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO89534630S5A620C2TLF000/


Hasegawa Launches Time-Limited Graves for Couples to Help Address Succession Issues

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOJC17AOT0X10C25A9000000/


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
1 week ago
9 minutes 20 seconds

Narrative Japan
Beyond Fandom: How Japan's Gen Z Reinvented Idol Culture

Discover how Japan's Gen Z transformed idol culture from romantic fantasy to artistic appreciation. 61% now see idols as "ultimate content," not pseudo-romance objects—a cultural revolution reshaping a ¥3.5 trillion industry.




◆Introduction: The shift from obsession to appreciation

Gone are the days of possessive fans. Today's Japanese youth celebrate their idols' personal happiness with 52% blessing romantic relationships. This podcast explores how Gen Z's mature, performance-focused fandom is revolutionizing entertainment consumption and redefining emotional value in the digital age through data-driven insights.




◆Related Page

Gen Z Idol Culture Survey: 61% See Their ‘Oshi’ as the Best Content, While 52% Celebrate When Their Idols Date

https://www.commercepick.com/archives/76868


Forget Credit Card Points: Spend ¥1.5 Million and Get Idol Photos — A New Trend in ‘Oshi’ Culture

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUB04BJO0U5A800C2000000/


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
2 weeks ago
9 minutes

Narrative Japan
Japan's Retail Revolution: How Electronics Stores Beat Amazon

Discover how Japanese electronics retailers like Yamada Denki and Bic Camera are winning against Amazon through innovative OMO strategies, transforming physical stores into digital powerhouses while Chinese brands reshape the market.




◆Introduction: Japan's Retail Survival Story Against Digital Giants

While global retailers struggle with e-commerce competition, Japanese electronics stores are thriving by merging online and offline experiences. Join Professor Haru and Sakura as they explore revolutionary strategies including store-based shipping, fixed pricing systems, and Gen Z targeting that's doubled young customer demographics. Learn why opening physical stores actually increases online sales and how sustainability meets profitability.




◆Related Pages

Yamada Denki’s E-Commerce Strategy: How Being a Latecomer Became an Advantage — Most Customers Are OMO ‘Digital Members’

https://ecnomikata.com/original_news/43993/


Five Years In, Most People Still Don’t Know About Fixed Appliance Prices — 84% of 1,000 Respondents Had No Idea

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC23AB70T20C25A4000000/


Chinese TV Brands Surpass 50% Market Share in Japan for the First Time, Driven by Low Prices Among Young Consumers

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC207MO0Q5A120C2000000/


Edion to Allow Returns Up to Two Weeks After Use on Home Appliances — Trial Program Runs Through December

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUF0524T0V01C25A1000000/


Prioritizing Design Over Features? A Look at Edion’s ‘Visual Appliances’ for Gen Zhttps://kaden.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1633836.html


Bic Camera Builds a Site That Communicates in 0.1 Seconds — Highlighting More Than Just Appliances Through Engaging Feature Pages

https://netkeizai.com/articles/detail/13536



◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
2 weeks ago
8 minutes 8 seconds

Narrative Japan
Japan's School Lunch Revolution: AI, Safety & $50 Billion Market

Discover how Japan's $50 billion school lunch industry achieved 58 years of zero food poisoning while revolutionizing with AI technology and expanding globally.



◆Introduction: A Deep Dive into Japan's Extraordinary School Lunch SystemFrom Toyo Foods' flawless 58-year safety record serving 1.45 million daily meals to Nagoya City's AI-powered menu planning system reducing workload by 13%, explore how Japan's school lunch industry is transforming through technology, corporate innovation, and social welfare. Learn why company cafeterias are making a comeback, how Generation Alpha maintains healthy eating habits, and what Japanese expertise means for global markets in Indonesia and the Philippines.



◆Related Pages

  • Toyo Shokuhin Sets Itself Apart from Price Wars, Puts Focus on Food Education in School Lunch Services


  • Nagoya Cuts School Lunch Menu Work by 10% Using AI, Incorporates Food Price Forecasts


  • Oisix and Shidax Develop New Meal Service Model for Senior Care Facilities: “Genki Gohan with Oisix


  • Employee Cafeterias Make a Comeback Amid Dining-Out Inflation, with Initiatives to Ease Young Workers’ Loneliness


  • Japan Information Releases Survey Results on Generation Alpha’s Eating Habits


  • Lawson Supports School Meal Programs in the Philippines; Marks 10 Years There and Boosts Recognition Through Local Contributions


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

Show more...
3 weeks ago
14 minutes 25 seconds

Narrative Japan
Japan's Rural Revival: U-Turn Migration Success Stories

Discover how Japan's dying rural towns are being transformed by return migrants and city dwellers seeking meaningful lives beyond Tokyo's rat race.




◆Introduction: Real stories of rural Japan's remarkable comeback through migration

Join Professor Haru and student Sakura as they explore three extraordinary success stories: from Hokkaido's revitalized roadside station generating 40% visitor growth, to Kagoshima's "Obama Village" where tech workers created a thriving community in a marginal settlement facing extinction, to Hiroshima's island that turned a closing high school into a magnet for young talent. Learn how U-turn and I-turn migration is reshaping Japan's future with proven business models, remote work revolution, and the power of local networks combined with outside perspectives.




◆Related Pages

Migrants Revitalize Roadside Station in Shikabe, Hokkaido — Visitor Numbers Up 40% Thanks to Hit Kelp Products

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFC120RW0S5A011C2000000

-----

Depopulated Hamlet Transforms with Newcomers — “Yes We Can!” Spirit Drives Revival in Kagoshima’s Obama Village

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCD0706E0X01C25A0000000

-----

Atsutoshi Oshima: “Let’s Increase the Number of People Who Feel Connected to Our Communities” — Toward Regional Revitalization

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCD1616V0W5A610C2000000/

-----

High School Students Set Their Sights on Remote Islands — The Revival of Osakikamijima in the Seto Inland Sea Reflects a New Wave in Education

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCD1435H0U5A710C2000000/

-----

Job Transfers — The Blessings and Burdens of Japan’s Employment System

https://manamina.valuesccg.com/articles/4520


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
3 weeks ago
6 minutes 29 seconds

Narrative Japan
Beyond the Tap: Japan's Next-Gen Railway Revolution

Discover how Japan is revolutionizing train travel with QR codes, facial recognition, and walk-through gates that eliminate physical barriers between stations and cities.




◆Introduction: The Future of Train Travel is Already Here in Japan

Join Professor Haru and curious student Sakura as they explore Japan's next-generation railway gates—from credit card tap payments to facial recognition systems that let you walk through stations hands-free. This is the story of how train gates are disappearing, transforming stations into seamless urban spaces.




◆Related Pages

Takamisawa Cybernetics Enters Ticket Gate Market with QR Code and Credit Card–Focused Systems

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCC0317G0T00C25A2000000/

-----

Takamisawa Cybernetics Develops Four Types of Ticket Gates Dedicated to QR Code and Credit Card Payments

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO86809070Y5A210C2L31000/

-----

Osaka Metro to Launch Facial Recognition Ticket Gates at Nearly All Stations Starting on the 25th

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUF076BR0X00C25A3000000/

-----

Train Stations Are Becoming Department Stores — JR East Leads the Digital Transformation Using Its ‘Treasure Trove’ of Suica Data

https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC068640W5A200C2000000/




◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
4 weeks ago
7 minutes 1 second

Narrative Japan
Japan's Onsen Revolution: AI Cameras & $15M Luxury Villas

Discover how Japan's centuries-old hot spring industry is transforming with $15 million luxury plans, AI technology, and rising Chinese investment—reshaping tradition for a new era.




◆Introduction: Japan's Hot Springs Face Their Biggest Transformation in Centuries

From AI cameras tracking tourists in Dogo Onsen to boutique hotels without baths in Nagano, and ultra-luxury $15M stays in Kagoshima, Japan's onsen industry is evolving dramatically. Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they explore how tradition meets innovation—covering sustainable tourism, foreign investment controversies, and the shift from quantity to quality in this essential Japanese cultural experience.




◆Related Pages

  • Dogo Onsen Chief Says “It’s No Longer About Chasing Visitor Numbers” — Aims to Boost Guest Satisfaction Through Digital Transformation


  • Niigata’s Nagaoka Onsen Introduces Digital Transformation and Experience-Based E-Commerce with Launch of “cocodake” Service


  • Traditional Ryokan in Nozawa Onsen, Nagano Renovated into Hotel — Locals Lead Wild Vegetable and Mushroom Foraging Tours


  • Kagoshima’s “Tenku no Mori” Offers ¥15 Million Stay Plans, Attracting Ultra-Wealthy Tourists and Revitalizing the Local Economy


  • Chinese Investors Unable to Own Land at Home Are Buying Up Resorts in Japan

◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
1 month ago
8 minutes 10 seconds

Narrative Japan
Japan's Vending Machines: From Cash to AI-Powered Retail Hubs

Discover how Japan's iconic vending machines are transforming from simple drink dispensers into AI-powered, multi-functional retail hubs with cashless payments, predictive analytics, and innovative business models.




◆Introduction: The Silent Revolution Happening on Every Street Corner

While you walk past them daily, Japan's 5 million vending machines are undergoing a remarkable transformation. This podcast explores how AI, IoT technology, and digital payments are revolutionizing an industry facing decline, turning traditional machines into sophisticated platforms for advertising, tourism, and data-driven retail strategies.




◆Related Page

  • Seibu Holdings Launches Pilot Test for Digital Signage Installed Above Station Vending Machines


  • 400 Employees Apply for Voluntary Retirement at Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings; ¥2.8 Billion in Extra Payments Recorded


  • DGFT’s Mobile Payment Service “Cloud Pay” Integrated into Nayax Payment Terminals for Unattended Machines


  • Mindia Inc. Unveils Generative AI–Powered Sales Forecasting Solution for Vending Machines


  • World’s First Generative AI–Powered Duty-Free Vending Machine Installed at Nijo Castle in Kyoto!


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.
Show more...
1 month ago
10 minutes 23 seconds

Narrative Japan
Japan's Vanishing Magazine Racks: The Konbini Revolution

Discover why Japan's iconic konbini magazine racks are disappearing and what it means for retail, publishing, and Japanese culture in this eye-opening conversation.



◆Introduction: Seven-Eleven's $100M bet reshapes Japanese convenience stores

Explore the dramatic transformation of Japanese convenience stores as Seven-Eleven cuts magazine shelves by 50% in a bold ¥10 billion renovation project. Through an engaging dialogue between curious student Sakura and Professor Haru, uncover how this shift threatens Japan's entire publishing distribution network, affects 55,923 konbini stores nationwide, and signals a broader retail revolution. Learn why magazine sales have halved in just 10 years, how distribution costs could multiply without konbini, and what this cultural change reveals about modern Japan.



◆Related Page:

  • Shrinking Magazine Shelves at Convenience Stores: Seven-Eleven to Halve Its Space as Publishing Distribution Faces a Crisis


  • Seven-Eleven to Expand Checkout Counters by 40% While Halving Magazine Shelves

  • FamilyMart and Lawson to End Magazine Sales at 10,000 Stores from March, Raising Fears of ‘Magazine Deserts’ in Rural Areas


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
1 month ago
9 minutes 53 seconds

Narrative Japan
Inside Japan's Booming Confectionery Market: Konbini Wars & Innovation

Discover how Japan's confectionery market grew 18% in 3 years through konbini innovation, clever pricing tactics, and global dessert trends reshaping consumer behavior.




◆Introduction: Japan's $3 cake revolution reveals surprising business strategies

Join Professor Haru and student Sakura as they explore Tokyo's convenience store dessert section, uncovering how FamilyMart and Lawson are winning the fierce cake market war. Learn why tourists spend $60 on Japanese sweets, how "stealth price increases" reached their limit, and why cakes are replacing meals for budget-conscious consumers.




◆Related Page

Japan’s Largest Confectionery Wholesaler Yamaboshiya Shifts 20% of Supply to Private-Label Products, Citing “Limits to Price Hikes” in the Industry

⁠https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC225DZ0S5A820C2000000/⁠

-----

FamilyMart Launches Chocolate Fair Featuring 11 Desserts Including Cakes and Ice Cream

⁠https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC243G50U5A021C2000000⁠

-----

Lawson Launches New-Texture Cheesecake Combining Rare and Baked Styles

⁠https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC2817X0Y5A021C2000000⁠

-----

“Dubai” Trend Sweeps Through Turkey’s Dessert Scene — Chocolate, Cakes, and Ice Cream Ride the Wave

⁠https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOGR08DFL0Y5A500C2000000/⁠

-----

Nagano Tokyu Department Store Begins Taking Reservations for Christmas Cakes and New Year’s Osechi Dishes at the Same Time

⁠https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCC0153L0R01C25A0000000/⁠

-----



◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


Show more...
1 month ago
8 minutes 18 seconds

Narrative Japan
Tempura Tech: Where Tradition Meets AI Innovation

Discover how Japan's iconic tempura is revolutionizing the restaurant industry through AI automation, unmanned checkout systems, and data-driven operations. From Edo-era street food to cutting-edge technology, explore how tradition and innovation coexist in modern Japan's food business landscape.



◆Introduction: When AI Cameras Watch Your Tempura—Japan's Food Revolution Begins

Imagine walking into a tempura restaurant where AI cameras track every piece you pick up, weight sensors detect your choices, and checkout happens automatically—no cashier needed. This isn't science fiction; it's happening right now in Japan. As the country faces severe labor shortages, tempura shops are becoming unexpected pioneers of restaurant automation. From Sagami Holdings' unmanned soba shops to Fukuoka's lightning-fast "20-rotation-per-day" tempura chains, traditional Japanese fried food is at the forefront of a technological transformation. But innovation isn't erasing tradition—it's preserving it. In rural Kagawa, AI systems are learning regional dialects to help elderly residents access their beloved local foods. Join Professor Haru and student Sakura as they uncover how a simple fried dish reveals profound insights about Japan's approach to technology, regional identity, efficiency, and cultural continuity in the 21st century.

◆Related Pages

  • Sagami’s Challenge: Automatic Tempura Recognition in Self-Service Soba Shops Paves the Way for Unmanned Checkout


  • Hakata Tempura Shop Masters Efficiency, Driven by Impatient Fukuoka Locals — Turning Over 20 Times a Day


  • July Supermarket Sales Up 3.1% Due to Price Increases; Dried Noodles See Strong Demand Amid Heatwave


  • Daiei Puts All Fresh Food Inventory on Display, Eliminates Storage and Expands Sales Floor by 20%


  • Saving Shopping Refugees: Generative AI Trial Underway in Sakaide, Kagawa


◆Note

  • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
  • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
  • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

Show more...
1 month ago
11 minutes 2 seconds

Narrative Japan
Sorry for Redelivery: Japan's Most Polite Crisis

Every time you click "buy now," an invisible crisis unfolds. In Japan, 1 in 10 packages requires redelivery, costing 174,000 hours and 392 tons of CO2 annually. Join Professor Haru and student Sakura as they explore why Japanese consumers say "sorry" 89.5% of the time, how delivery robots are changing the game, and what the 2024 logistics crisis means for the future of e-commerce.


◆Introduction:

When Politeness Becomes a Problem

Japan's delivery system is breaking under the weight of good intentions. With a 10.2% redelivery rate, drivers work overtime while consumers apologize for missing deliveries. This episode uncovers the hidden cost of "free shipping," explores cutting-edge solutions from contactless delivery to autonomous robots, and reveals why 30% of Japanese people have never heard of the industry's biggest challenge. Discover how technology, policy, and cultural change are reshaping logistics in the world's most efficient nation.




◆Related Page

  • Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) October survey: Redelivery rate of parcels drops 0.9 points year-on-year to 10.2%.

    https://www.tsuhannews.jp/shopblogs/detail/73946

    -----

  • Looking back on 2024 — Logistics challenges hit the e-commerce industry hard!

    https://www.tsuhannews.jp/shopblogs/detail/74132

    -----

  • Survey results released on the convenience of “delivery drop-off” services: What is the reality behind people choosing it even when they’re at home?

    https://www.commercepick.com/archives/58809

    -----

  • Installation of parcel lockers reduces annual redelivery time by 174,000 hours and cuts CO₂ emissions by 392 tons.

    https://www.commercepick.com/archives/60051

    -----

  • Yamato Transport launches a pilot program using autonomous delivery robots in large apartment complexes.

    https://www.tsuhannews.jp/shopblogs/detail/74720

    -----

  • Startup Growth Story: PacPort CEO Mr. Shen — Standing out with unmatched technology and proposals.

    https://netkeizai.com/articles/detail/14212

    -----

  • Yahoo! Shopping launches a campaign to reduce redeliveries: Earn points by choosing “delivery drop-off” or scheduling with flexible delivery dates.

    https://netkeizai.com/articles/detail/12887

    -----

  • Free shipping perception survey: 40% believe “the cost is covered by the retailer as a service.”

    https://www.tsuhannews.jp/shopblogs/detail/73798

    -----

  • Felissimo introduces new “product delivery bags,” reducing packaging materials by 2.5 tons annually.

  • https://www.tsuhannews.jp/shopblogs/detail/74828

    -----


    ◆Note

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.


    Show more...
    1 month ago
    11 minutes 48 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    Japan's Gen Z: The Inflation Generation Redefining Value

    Meet Japan's Gen Z—the first generation to grow up with rising prices and wages. Unlike their parents who lived through deflation, these young consumers are reshaping Japan's economy with "merikhari consumption," spending strategically on what truly matters while cutting back elsewhere. But there's a paradox: 74% buy ultra-fast fashion despite their environmental awareness, experiencing what researchers call "sorry consumption." Discover how this inflation generation is redefining value, balancing ideals with reality, and potentially transforming Japan's economic future—one purchase at a time.




    ◆Introduction:

    Japan's young consumers are caught between environmental ideals and economic reality—and their choices may reshape the nation's future.

    Why do three-quarters of environmentally conscious young Japanese still buy ultra-fast fashion? In this episode, Sakura and Professor Haru explore the fascinating contradictions of Japan's Gen Z—a generation that experienced 2% annual inflation while older generations saw only 1%. They're willing to spend 30% more on overseas travel than pre-pandemic levels, invest heavily in their passions, yet feel guilty about their fashion choices. Through personal stories and surprising data, we uncover how this "inflation generation" is moving Japan beyond its deflation mindset, one thoughtful—and sometimes conflicted—purchase at a time.



    ◆Related Pages:

    • Information Gathering Happens on Instagram: Some Users Say They “Check If It’s Not Just PR,” Fast Marketing Survey Finds


    • Gen Z Is the Inflation Generation: Pay Raises Are a Given, Spending Is Selective


    • Gen Z’s Fashion Spending Revealed: A New Generation Choosing Clothes Through “Narrative Consumption”


    • Gen Z and “Sorry Consumption”: The Paradox of Loving Ultra-Fast Fashion While Caring About the Environment


    ◆Note:

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    Show more...
    1 month ago
    10 minutes 44 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    Shopping Refugees: How Mobile Supermarkets Help 9M

    Did you know 9 million elderly Japanese struggle to buy groceries? Discover how mobile supermarkets are revolutionizing elderly care in Japan's aging society. From Aeon's 300 trucks to Tokushimaru's 1,200 vehicles, explore innovative solutions combining modern logistics with traditional community values. Learn about profitable business models, digital transformation, and how these services prevent social isolation while creating new jobs. Perfect for anyone interested in Japan's society, aging demographics, social innovation, and sustainable business solutions.



    ◆Introduction:

    Mobile supermarkets are becoming essential social infrastructure for Japan's 9 million shopping refugees

    Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they uncover a hidden crisis in modern Japan. One in four elderly people can't access grocery stores due to store closures, license returns, and weak public transport. But innovative companies are fighting back with mobile supermarkets that do more than sell food—they save lives, connect communities, and prove that social good and profit can coexist. Hear real stories of drivers who became informal caregivers, tech innovations boosting sales by 30%, and how Japan is reinventing community care for the 21st century.



    ◆Related Pages:

    • Aeon’s “Mobile Supermarkets” — 300 Vehicles Serving Mountain and Hillside Communities


    • 1.53 Million Struggling to Shop in Kansai — Keihan Group Launches Mobile Supermarkets


    • Tokushimaru Mobile Supermarkets Launch App with 400 Curated Items — “Chosen Just for You”

    • Uoroku in Niigata Focuses on Mobile Supermarkets to Prevent “Shopping Refugees” and Drive Growth

    • Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs to Use Post Office Network to Support Grocery and Daily Goods Purchases — Pilot Program Begins in Shizuoka This November


    ◆Note

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    Show more...
    1 month ago
    16 minutes 58 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    Why Don Quijote Wins: Japan's 35-Year Retail Success Story

    Discover how Don Quijote achieved 35 consecutive years of growth in Japan's challenging retail market. This episode reveals the discount giant's winning formula: listening to 15 million customers through their Maji Voice system, capturing 20% of all tourists visiting Japan, and creating experiences that turn shopping into entertainment. Learn how data-driven decisions, emotional customer connections, and strategic flexibility have made Donki a retail phenomenon worth studying.


    ◆Introduction: How a chaotic discount store became Japan's retail champion

    While Amazon dominates e-commerce and traditional retailers struggle, Don Quijote is thriving with a radically different approach. Professor Haru and student Sakura explore the secrets behind Donki's success: from innovative customer feedback systems to their dominance in Japan's booming tourism industry. Discover why 8 million tourists choose Donki, how they turn negative reviews into product improvements, and what Western retailers can learn from their organized chaos.

    ◆Related Page

    • Don Quijote Tops Japan in Duty-Free Sales, Opens Stores Focused on Inbound Tourists as Department Stores Struggle
    • Incentives Don’t Reveal Customers’ True Feelings! What Don Quijote Teaches Us About Gathering and Using Customer Feedback


    • [2025] Don Quijote’s Top 5 Trending Products! A Data-Driven Look Behind the Hits


    • “Meshi Donki” Wins Over Inbound Tourists — Instant TKG Anywhere!?
    • Don Quijote to Invest ¥1.2 Trillion Over 10 Years in Growth, Expands Aggressively to ‘Conquer the Japan Map’


    ◆Note

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    Show more...
    1 month ago
    19 minutes 34 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    Japan's Beer Revolution: From Tradition to Digital Innovation

    Discover how Japan's beer industry is revolutionizing itself through AI marketing, empathetic branding, and a groundbreaking 1% cancellation rate subscription model that's changing everything.



    ◆Introduction:

    Japan's beer giants are rewriting the rules of business with radical innovation strategies.

    Step inside Japan's most dramatic business transformation as we uncover how traditional beer companies are becoming digital experience providers.

    This episode reveals the fascinating psychology behind Asahi Beer's "Smart Drinking" philosophy that welcomes both drinkers and non-drinkers, Sapporo's mysterious elevator commercials that never mention beer yet drive massive sales, and the counterintuitive subscription strategy achieving an impossible 1% cancellation rate.



    ◆Related Pages

    • 7-Eleven and Yo-Ho Brewing team up to launch “Uchoten Aliens,” an affordable hazy IPA


    • For drinkers and non-drinkers alike: Asahi Beer’s ‘Suma-Dori’ 2025 Strategy and Its Initiative to Leverage N1 Consumer Insights


    • Why “Adult Elevator” appeals to today’s youth: Sapporo Black Label’s minimalist ad strategy


    • Brewtope: A Craft Beer Subscription with Just a 1% Cancellation Rate — Offering Peace of Mind Through Easy, Hassle-Free Cancellation


    • Japan Marketing Association Announces the 17th Japan Marketing Awards — Grand Prize Goes to ‘The Lemon Sour of the Future



    ◆Note

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    Show more...
    2 months ago
    11 minutes 32 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    Reiwa Rice Crisis: 18 Months of Doubled Prices in Japan

    Discover how Japan's rice prices doubled in just 18 months, creating the "Reiwa Rice Crisis" - the most serious food emergency since WWII.




    ◆Introduction:

    • Japan's rice crisis exposes deep agricultural policy flaws and food security vulnerabilities.
    • Japan faced an unprecedented rice crisis in 2024-2025, with prices doubling from 2,000 to 4,200 yen per 5kg bag in just 18 months.
    • This perfect storm of extreme weather, aging farmers, panic buying, and tourist demand blindsided government forecasts, affecting 80% of households and forcing a complete rethink of post-war agricultural policies.




    ◆Related Pages

    • 2025 Rice Crop Production Rises 10% to 7.47 Million Tons Agriculture Minister Koizumi: “A Step Toward Resolving the Situation”
    • Rice Policy and Food Security (1) Issues Emerging from the "Reiwa Rice Riots”
    • Rice Policy and Food Security (3) Causes of Price Rise and Government Response
    • Demand for rice harvested in 2025 to increase by up to 380,000 tons, according to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries estimates, taking into account visitors to Japan


    ◆Note

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    Show more...
    2 months ago
    7 minutes 31 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    The Rise of MBOs in Japan — Delisting and the Philosophy of Freedom

    A quiet yet undeniable transformation is taking place in Japan’s business world.
    It’s called MBO — Management Buy-Out, a process where company executives buy back their own firms to take them private.




    ◆ Introduction: A Revolution in Silence

    In this episode, we explore why more Japanese leaders are stepping away from the stock market and reclaiming ownership of their companies — and what this shift reveals about Japan’s evolving approach to freedom and long-term vision in business.

    “To escape the short-term pressure from shareholders and pursue long-term ideals.”
    That desire lies at the heart of every MBO.

    This episode unfolds like a modern fable — a story of independence, renewal, and rediscovery of freedom in Japan’s corporate landscape.




    ◆ Related Page

    • Paramount Bed to go private with 138.4 billion yen MBO, convert to "outright sale" format
    • With 30% fewer Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan, investment funds could save the gourmet food industry
    • Soft99 and Mandom face a series of criticisms over MBOs: "Ai-mitsu" needed




    ◆Note

    • The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.
    • Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.
    • This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.
    Show more...
    2 months ago
    3 minutes 29 seconds

    Narrative Japan
    A podcast decoding modern Japan through dialogues between Sakura, a university student, and Professor Haru. Together, they explore the ideas, people, and transformations shaping Japan’s economy and society today. ----------------- 【Recommended for Listeners Who...】 ・Enjoy learning about economics and business through engaging, story-driven conversations ・Are curious about emerging trends and quiet revolutions shaping Japan today