CScout Japan - TokyoWorkLife Blog of the Week

TokyoWorkLife, a new site for foreigners living and working in Tokyo, has named us the “Blog of the Week”. Many thanks!

Tags: Press coverage
Category: Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

Japanese Mobile Phone Publishing on ZDF

With publishing being forced to enter the digital world, the sudden boom of mobile phone novels in Japan has inspired many in the industry around the globe. We’ve been following this for some time now, and what’s going on shows the power of mobile technology in Japan, but also a culture of creativity that is often overlooked.

German ZDF television recently visited Tokyo to do a piece, and CScout Japan CEO Sven Kilian was asked to give them the rundown on mobile phone publishing from manga to Koizora.

Click below to view online (German only).

Special thanks to Natsuko Kimura, Managing Director of the KDDI DESIGNING STUDIO for letting us shoot the interview in a very suitable location.

Tags: Koizora, Mobile, Mobile Novels, Press, Press coverage, Publishing, ZDF
Category: Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

Japan Inc. - August 2008: Toys are sweet

Unfortunately, many of these toys look delicious, but we don’t recommend eating them. You know…with all the plastic and everything.

In the August issue of Japan Inc. magazine we wrote about all the food-inspired toys and fashion that debuted at this year’s Tokyo Toy Show. Food fashion, especially for sweets, has peaked with a wide variety of items from mobile phone straps to Mister Donut playsets.

Satisfy your sweet tooth by clicking above for the full piece, along with the rest of Japan Inc.’s amazing content.

Tags: Fashion, gadgets, Japan Inc., Press coverage, Tokyo Toy Show, Toys
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends

Japan Inc. - July 2008: Digital Shopping

Now that the Japan Inc. magazine has gone monthly once again, CScout Japan’s contributions will be ramped up as well. Look out for us every month in the Trends in Japan column, but be sure to check out the entire magazine as well by getting a subscription.

In the recent July 2008 issue of Japan Inc. we talk about the intersection of online shopping with the real world fitting room experience. Can an avatar try on an outfit the same way the user can?

If you have any suggested topics for our column, feel free to let us know!

Tags: Japan Inc., Press coverage, Retail, Web 2.0
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends

Japan Inc. May/June: Digital POS

The latest issue of Japan Inc is out, on the shelves, and tucked into the pocket of select airline seats. Our fourth contribution focuses on digital POS trends, including digital signage, that are making significant progress in Japan and are being deployed in new and unique ways.

Click the photo below to read the entire article, plus lots of other great Japan Inc content (check out Anna Kitanaka’s blog posts) focusing on business here.

Check out the featured Tobidasu Menu here.

Tags: Japan Inc., POS, Press coverage
Category: Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

CScout Japan and CNN Today on food trends

CScout Japan Managing Director Michael Keferl was a guest on CNN Today with Kristie Lu Stout and Andrew Stevens to talk about some food trends in Japan. The focus was on our recent posts about character lunch accessories, “udon” pudding, and a new “fresh tea” bottle innovation.

Of course, the character lunches and pudding are Japan-centric (and we don’t expect to see a wave of udon pudding shops opening up either), but the bottle from Aojiru Tea has great potential for many different kinds of beverages in and out of Japan. Click the screenshot to check out the video.

Tags: , CNN, food, Press, Press coverage
Category: Uncategorized
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

Japan Inc. March/April: Eco Fashion

Rebecca wrote the latest piece in our collaboration with Japan Inc. for the March/April issue. This time we’re reporting on Eco Trends in fashion, though it’s safe to say that the “Eco” factor has a lot more to do with image than ecology!

See our first piece on Convenience Store Trends HERE.

If there are any topics you’d like to see CScout Japan report on, be it on the web, in print, or for television, please contact us and give us your suggestions.

Tags: Eco, Fashion, Japan Inc., Press coverage
Category: Uncategorized
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

Rebecca Milner on Meiji to Showa Era illustrations

CScout Japan trend consultant Rebecca Milner has a new piece up on Tokyo Art Beat about illustrators Kasho Takahata, Takehisa Yumeji, and their respective museums here in Tokyo. Click the screenshot to check it out.

Tags: Press coverage
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends

Tokyo Trend Scouting covered in Forbrukerteknologi

CScout Japan CEO Sven Kilian was featured again recently in the Norwegian technology magazine Forbrukerteknologi. It looks like a great piece, but we’ll have to make a point of brushing up on our Norwegian for the future.

Also included in the article are references to the Sega Homestar Pro home planetarium and the Sony Rolly.

Tags: Press, Press coverage
Category: Technology & Gadget Trends
Other categories: Marketing & Ad Trends, Fashion & Lifestyle Trends

Tokyo Art Beat - Diamond Designs

CScout Japan’s trend consultant Rebecca Milner has just posted her latest piece for Tokyo Art Beat on the Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum’s exhibition of contemporary diamond jewelry. Check out the article Diamond Designs here.

In a related Tokyo Art Beat vein, I’ll be at the new bilingual TAB Talks event tonight at Gotanda Sonic, featuring Japanese editor Yoshio Suzuki (Brutus, anan, and many more).

Tags: design, Events, Press coverage, Tokyo Art Beat
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
Other categories: Technology & Gadget Trends, Marketing & Ad Trends