Japan’s Seniors Show Stronger Desire to Keep Working, Outpacing the U.S., Germany and Sweden Ferre Keira2026-07-2102K views Retirement no longer means leaving the workforce. A new Japanese government survey shows that nearly half of people aged 60 and above want to continue working, a higher proportion than… Read more
Japan’s Tourism Boom Drives Land Values Higher as Ski Resort Hakuba Leads Growth with 32.7% Surge Ferre Keira2026-07-1602K views Japan’s land prices continue to climb as tourism reshapes regional economies. Latest land valuation data shows nationwide land prices increased 2.9%, with popular ski and tourism destinations emerging as major… Read more
Supermarket Private Labels Gain Momentum in a Changing Retail Landscape Julie Howard2026-07-160332 views Global inflation and changing consumer habits are accelerating the growth of supermarket private labels. Once viewed mainly as low-cost alternatives, private label products are now becoming high-quality choices that allow… Read more
Japan Tourism Spending Hits Record High Amid Labor Shortages Ferre Keira2026-07-1602K views Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million international visitors in 2025, while inbound tourism spending approached the ¥10 trillion mark for the first time. As travel demand continues to surge, however,… Read more
AI Becomes the New Travel Assistant, Transforming How People Plan and Book Trips Julie Howard2026-07-160331 views Historically complex and cumbersome trip planning can now be executed by artificial intelligence within seconds. From recommending destinations to organizing itineraries, AI has emerged as a highly efficient, time-saving, and… Read more
Japan’s Heatwave Response and Plastic Reduction Efforts Drive the Rise of the “My Bottle” Culture Among Travelers Ferre Keira2026-07-1602K views Japan’s “My Bottle” culture is gaining popularity as rising temperatures and growing environmental awareness encourage residents and travelers to embrace reusable water bottles. TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – As global awareness… Read more
How a Single Concert Ticket Drives Urban Consumer Spending Julie Howard2026-07-090549 views A concert ticket does far more than generate applause inside the venue. It stimulates spending across accommodation, dining, transportation, and retail sectors. As the global concert market continues to expand,… Read more
Ice Cups Become a Summer Essential at Japanese Convenience Stores Ferre Keira2026-07-0902.1K views As Japan’s summer heat intensifies, a simple convenience store item is gaining attention among locals and visitors alike. Ice cups, commonly used for coffee and beverages, have become a popular… Read more
Japan’s Bookstore Count Falls Below 10,000 as Destination Bookstores Attract Tourists Ferre Keira2026-07-0202.1K views Japan’s bookstore count has dropped below 10,000 for the first time, marking the continued decline of physical bookstores. Meanwhile, destination bookstores are emerging as popular cultural attractions for both domestic… Read more
2026 Quality of Life Index: Netherlands Tops the List and Luxembourg Ranks Second Derrick Smith2026-07-0203.5K views According to Numbeo’s “Quality of Life Index by Country 2026 Mid-Year,” European countries occupy a majority of the top positions, while several Middle Eastern countries perform strongly. Asia-Pacific, North America,… Read more