Japan
Regains its Position as a Global Cultural and Trend Leader
NEW
YORK -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- February 14, 2004
The Japan External Trade Organization New
York (JETRO NY) released a newsletter today highlighting
regional development in Japan. It can be viewed
at:
http://www.jetro.go.jp/usa/newyork/focusnewsletter/focus32.html
Economic
Adjustment Accentuates Cultural and Artistic Innovation in
Japan
- Economic adjustment
has led to higher unemployment for Japanese workers.
For those aged 20-24, it was about 9.2% last July. One outgrowth
of the difficulty of finding full-time jobs has been the rise
of "Freeters",
a Japanese word combining the English word free and the German
word Arbeiter (laborer), which are estimated to encompass about
3 percent of the nation's workforce. While many of these individuals
are seeking full-time positions, others are comfortable with
this lifestyle believing it gives
them more time to express themselves. Another result of uncertain
times has been a greater reluctance by Japanese youth to set
up independent households and to start families.
This
has negative long-term consequences,
yet over the short term it is resulting in additional disposable
income, particularly among young women. Driving higher consumption
within this key demographic, it is helping to support the emergence
of new fashion and style trends, other leisure-oriented activities,
and a social environment that one analyst describes as "(Japanese)
people want to return to an era where life was perceived to be
more enjoyable".
Cultural Exports
Constitute an Emerging Growth Sector in Japan
- The growing appeal
of Japanese cultural exports has been covered by many prominent
publications. Some analysts estimate the entertainment industry
in Japan is worth up to about 10% of the nation's GNP and
cultural
exports -- in the form of sales and royalties from music,
video games, anime, art, films and fashion -- have increased
300% since 1992 to $12.5 billion, while exports as a whole
increased only 20%. The result of this renewed popularity
is that Japanese themes are now emerging with more prominence
outside of Japan. For example, several films dealing with
Japanese
themes are up for nomination at the upcoming Academy Award
celebration this month. Japanese players have also become
more involved in North American sports.
Japan Exerts More
Influence in International Art, Entertainment and Style
- Animation/Video
Games: Japanese "anime" and "manga" are
quickly gaining in popularity around the world. Japan
also exhibits a strong competitiveness in video games. One
analyst recently commented on this trend noting "Japan
has changed from being a manufacturing and industrial society
to a pop-culture society".
- Industrial, Product
and Interior Design and Architecture: Japanese firms have
long been seen seen as innovators in product design. Their
ability to introduce well-crafted color televisions, cameras,
and later on VCRs and other forms of consumer electronics
as well as high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles has been
positively received by consumers around the world. The clean,
minimalist look of Japanese style as well as many futuristic
elements have been incorporated into many office and home
interiors
and a recent building boom in Tokyo has offered international
design firms and architects an opportunity to design
some of the most exciting and innovative commercial real estate
projects in the world today.
- Fashion, Music,
Technology and Consumer Trends: Japanese designers have been
well known for many years to lovers of fashion and the streets
of Harajuku and Shibuya recognized as mandatory
stops one must visit not only to view emerging
fashion trends but to experience what one analyst terms the
ability to "Recognize The Future When It Lands On You".
Japanese musical stars are also proving popular in other
Asian markets.
Furthermore, Japan leads the U.S. and many other
markets in many consumer trends, for example
the application of new mobile technologies to retailing and lifestyle
choices as well as digital convergence.
- Food and Cuisine:
Japanese cuisine is becoming extremely popular and one can
now find sushi and other Japanese foods in supermarkets,
restaurants, convenience stores and other locations around
the world.
Data and statistics have been
compiled by JETRO from publicly-released
media accounts. JETRO does not guarantee
their accuracy, and any such information
should be checked by
the reader before they are used to
make any business or investment decision.
Contact: Satoshi Miyamoto
Executive Director, JETRO NY
Tel: 212-997-0416
Fax: 212-997-0464
E-mail: Satoshi_Miyamoto@jetro.go.jp.
Focus is published and disseminated by JETRO New York, in coordination with KWR International, Inc., New York, NY 10023, Tel: 212-532-3005, Fax: 212-799-0517, E-mail: kwrintl@kwrintl.com. JETRO New York is registered as an agent of the Japan External Trade Organization, Tokyo, Japan and KWR International, Inc. is registered on behalf of JETRO New York. This material is filed with the Department of Justice where the required registration
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