Push-Pack product design in Japan

In the tobacco packaging world the concept has been out for a while, but we’re beginning to see the so-called “push pack” or “side slide” box for products besides Alphabet or Seven Stars cigarettes.

For the consumer, the benefit is to not have to rip open a box top, which usually looks terrible after a few uses. Push-packs are product boxes that can look good on a shelf, and are sealed with a sticker rather than box seal to tear.

This particular box is for Glyna from Ajinomoto, a sleep supplement powder that comes in long individual packets. The push-pack holes also compliment the chemical compound box graphics.

A simple push through the hole slides open the other end to retrieve the product. Basic, yes, but the easy and functional design is important, especially for health-related goods.

2008 International Fashion Fair in Tokyo

With over 800 exhibitors, the 17th edition of Tokyo’s International Fashion Fair was the largest yet, attracting over 30,000 visitors, mostly buyers from department stores and select shops in Japan and East Asia. The twice-annual event, organized by influential domestic fashion trade newspaper Senken Shimbun, took place at Odaiba bayside convention hall Tokyo Big Site from January 23 to 25.

Rather than try to make sense of the event, which featured everything from bohemian rags to scary fur coats for rich obaachan, plus a number of foreign brands, CScout brings you some of the highlights, in no particular order.

First up, in accordance with the recent global fascination with Japanese denim, the fashion fair featured a booth from premium denim manufacturers in Kurashiki, a small city in Western Honshu with a continuing tradition of hand-dyed indigo craftwork.

Many other Japanese denim labels had representatives at the event, like this guy (above right) from internationally prized Yen Jeans.

We also liked these traditional geta and happi coat with a punk makeover from Tokyo-based yukata manufacturer Ando Trading Co.

And these custom re-designed converse sneakers from MCW, who came all the way from Mie prefecture.

Speaking of shoes, after the unfortunate popularity of rubber sandals, a la Crocs, last summer in Tokyo, we anticipate that these (thankfully much cuter) jelly slippers from Brazilian brand Grendha will be a hot item when the weather warms up.

While fashion seems to be leaning towards a bohemian, earth friendly look this season, we did find a few remaining vestiges of bling, like these deco-office supplies from Abiste and these dog-in-a-handbag key chains. Long live Paris Hilton in the hearts of Tokyoites!

In general, the majority of the designs featured at the show were rather mainstream and ultimately sellable, so we were happy to see the area, called the Creators’ Village, set aside for new labels and design students.

Pictured above are displays from Nagoya-based new label Sanatorium and Vantan Design College’s Misa Ookubo. Good luck guys!

Kaiten sushi Express Lane from Kappa Sushi

As if kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi weren’t already entertaining enough, chain restaurant Kappa Sushi has added another layer of novelty, the sushi “Express Lane.”

While the original conveyor belt continues to carry the miscellaneous plates dished out at the whim of the chefs, this additional conveyor belt located above brings your special ordered plates directly to your spot at the counter at express speeds. Orders are placed on picture touch screens at your seat.

No more waiting anxiously to see if the yummy looking tuna will make it all the way around to your seat or be picked up by the other customers along the way! Of course, you could just make a special request to the chef in person, but where is the fun in that?

“Safe” padlock locks down your computer

In another case of retro styling meets current technology, KI Electronics has released this user-friendly computerized keyboard padlock that bears a striking resemblance to those safes you find in hotel rooms.

To use the lock, simply turn the dial to “close” mode and enter a four-digit pin number to lock and then use the same number in “open” mode to unlock. Two AA batteries are enough to power the lock, with its LCD screen, for five years.

The product website lists a number of situations when the lock might come in handy, such as the gym, the local bathhouse, or the golf course. The Japanese honor system means that many of these places lack lockers (or at least ones that you couldn’t pick with a hair pin if you really wanted to). So if you wanted to play it safe, the ¥12,000 isn’t a bad investment.

New flavors emerge as beverage companies battle for dominance

After the sensation caused by tomato based alcoholic beverages, it was only a matter of time before other mash-up products came into focus.

It started with Suntory’s Toma Toma tomato liquor and Asahi’s “Tomate” cocktail drink (in collaboration with juice company Kagome).

As Asahi and Suntory continue to duke it out on the shelves they’ve enlisted the help of a host of other companies.

Next up, Suntory has teamed up with Tohato brand, of the “Dictator Habenero” series of spicy snack foods fame, to offer this canned “Dictator Habenero’s Favorite Soup.”

Meanwhile, Asahi has joined ranks with French tea label Fauchon to offer “Fauchon Tea Liquor” and DyDo beverage company gets in on the fight with “Tirol Chocolate Drink,” in collaboration with Tirol chocolates, maker of those tempting little seasonal chocolates that hang out by the register at the convenience store.

As manufacturers continue to choose sides we anticipate many new exciting beverages to come in 2008!

CScout Japan featured on NHK’s @Human

CScout Japan recently spent the day with the NHK television show @Human. Before heading out to the infamous Maid Christmas Party, we hung out in Shibuya talking about trendscouting in Japan and the services/insight CScout provides to foreign clients who want to know more about the market here.

Many thanks again to NHK and everyone else involved.

Jukebox 19xx mp3 Wurlitzer from Sega Toys

The idea of “adult toys” may conjure up a different image for some (dirty minds!), but Sega Toys and others have done very well in the past few years promoting their lines of toys geared to adults. For Sega, these are called Ippin Mono (rare objects), and the upcoming Jukebox 19xx is no exception.

A 1/10 scale model of the classic Wurlitzer 1015 from 1946, the Jukebox 19xx plays all of your favorite songs through an SD card or even by attaching your iPod to the system. Just insert ¥100, choose your favorite song, and delight in the LED lights synchronized to the music.

Not nostalgic enough? There’s even a carousel of mini albums that are grabbed by the robotic arm and spun on the turntable! We also heard from our source that the Jukebox 19xx overlays some “scratchy” sounds the replicate a record (hopefully optional. Release is scheduled for July, and will retail for around $280.

Via IT Media

Kitty Chan next new look, Tomy Car goes traveling

The tireless designers at Sanrio never seem to run out of new looks for the venerable Kitty Chan. In addition to the popular series of location specific Hello Kitties—see Roppongi Kitty sporting knee-high black boots—her latest incarnations include homages to TV personalities Ikko, of last year’s popular catchphrase, “Dondake?!” (“WTF?!”) fame, and cross-dressing school girl Sakurazuka Yakkun.

Meanwhile Akiba Kitty is hawking her own line of can ramen at ¥10,080 for a 24 pack.

In other location specific toy news, capsule toy maker Yujin is teaming up with Tomy Toys’ to make a line of souvenir key chains, in the guise of the classic Tomy Car, for particular tourist destinations throughout Japan.

The limited number key chains (complete with license plates that matches the location) are available from vending machines—in plastic capsules of course—for ¥200. Chalk this up as another one for the nostalgia trend.

Mobile phone voice recognition gets famous

You may not have the perfect doe eyes of Ayumi Hamasaki, but you might sound like her. Advanced Media Inc.’s new application, “Koe Chieki” (“Voice Check”) for Docomo mobile phones uses voice recognition software to tell users which famous person, out of 500 (including actors, pop idols, and anime characters), that their voice most resembles.

And as if that weren’t cool enough, there’s also “Mimic Check” that can rate your ability to mimic said celebrities (definitely worth giving a go before busting out your latest impersonation at your next goukan) and “Joke Check” to tell you what kind of jokes your voice is best suited for telling.

There’s still more: “Love Check” uses voices to measure the compatibility between two people, either that potential love interest that you just finished talking to or your latest celebrity crush.

Thank you Advanced Media for reminding us that a mobile phone can mean so much more than just talk! I am so thinking of switching to Docomo.

Japan Inc. Jan/Feb: Convenience Store Trends

CScout Japan wrote a piece on convenience store trends for the January and February issue of the bimonthly Japanese-market oriented magazine Japan Inc.

Click the picture to read more…

Tags: Convenience Stores, Japan Inc.