Business Feb 13, 2019
by Ryotaro Nakamaru
More and more women in Japan are abandoning the tradition of giving obligatory chocolates to male coworkers on Valentine's Day, instead using the occasion to treat themselves. The trend reflects shifting societal norms and consumer attitudes in the country, creating new opportunities and challenges for ...
National / Media | Japan Pulse Feb 9, 2019
Loft under fire for its outdated portrayal of women in advertising campaign
by Patrick St. Michel
Retailers typically strive to promote their products by creating ad campaigns that attract consumers’ attention. Loft Co. appears to have achieved this with the recent launch of its 2019 Valentine’s Day campaign, albeit for the wrong reason. The chain, which sells everyday commodities in Japan and ...
Food & Drink | DESSERT WATCH Feb 9, 2019
Say 'I love you' a different way with Kourakuen's chocolate ramen
by Patrick St. Michel
This Valentine's Day offering from ramen chain Kourakuen features a soy sauce-based ramen with a hefty dose of chocolate.
National Feb 8, 2019
Majority of women to buy Valentine's chocolates for themselves, averaging ¥4,200, Japan survey shows
Over 60 percent of women who plan to buy chocolates for Valentine's Day are considering treating themselves and buying chocolates for their own enjoyment, a survey by Matsuya Co.'s Ginza department store in Tokyo has shown. Of all respondents, 94.1 percent answered that they will ...
Style & Design Jan 27, 2019
Fashion ripples during the new year lull
by Samuel Thomas
As the end of the financial year draws to a close, now is the season when fashion companies restructure their retail portfolios, with shop closures making way for new shoots to pop up in the following months.
National / Media | BY THE NUMBERS Mar 3, 2018
Three interesting figures we stumbled across online last week.
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Feb 19, 2018
A recent Godiva ad challenged the culture of "obligatory" Valentine's chocolates.
Olympics / Winter Olympics Feb 14, 2018
From Russia with love: OAR skier weds skeleton racer not invited to Winter Games
Russian freestyle skier Semen Denshchikov on Wednesday married a skeleton racer who was not invited to compete in Pyeongchang in a Valentine's Day ceremony meant to lighten the mood around Russian sports. Denshchikov, who finished 16th in ski cross at the world championships last year, ...
National Feb 13, 2018
A 'ruby' Valentine's Day: Japan's lovers embrace new chocolate variety
It is a marriage made in heaven for cute-obsessed Japan: this Valentine's Day, lovers can present the object of their affection with a world first — naturally bright pink chocolate. The KitKat store in the glitzy shopping area of Ginza in Tokyo is a riot ...
National Feb 13, 2018
University of Tokyo offers halal chocolates ahead of Valentine's Day
The University of Tokyo is selling halal chocolates online for Valentine's Day to raise public awareness of foods that are prepared according to Muslim standards. Hanan Chocolates have been produced by a Tokyo maker using soy emulsifier and no animal-origin ingredients. The products — milk ...
National Feb 6, 2018
Godiva's dig at obligatory Valentine's chocolates stirs debate in Japan
by Chisato Tanaka
Japan should stop giving out giri choco (obligatory chocolate). That was the message in a full-page ad that Godiva published last week which instantly went viral, stirring up debate, once again, on the pros and cons of women giving out inexpensive courtesy chocolates to their ...