Category Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Reiwa Era Opportunities: Japan’s Integrated Resorts Inch Forward, Bring More Than Just Casinos

Growing up, I remember reading in Time Magazine about how Vegas was going to become family-friendly in the mid-90s by building shopping areas, attractions like indoor theme parks and shows, and convention space.

Uncategorized, Carter Group Viewpoints

All Sunshine, and Also Some Rainbows? Progress in the LGBT Community of Japan

The LGBT community of Japan may go somewhat unnoticed by the general public, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been making waves in the media.

Uncategorized

Delivering “information security” becomes new imperative in reputational risk management

Two recent high-profile information security breaches — Sony and U.S. marketing firm Epsilon — have once again highlighted the critical importance of information security.

Uncategorized

In Today’s World, Reputations Hinge on Information Security

Two recent high-profile data breaches — at Sony Corp. and U.S. marketing firm Epsilon — have once again highlighted the critical importance of information security.

Uncategorized

Convergence of Quake Aid Brings Hope, Inspiration to Forge Ahead

I am filled with hope as I watch literally everyone I know scrambling to find ways to contribute to the rebuilding of the Tohoku region in this post-quake period. Indeed, it is difficult to think of anything else these days.

Uncategorized

“Living in interesting times” sometimes requires nerves of steel . . . and a big heart

On March 13th, 2011, I sorrowfully opened a folder on my laptop called “earthquake.” One week later, it is as full of documents, links and other data as any one of my complicated market research projects.

Uncategorized

Seasonality has its effects, but what goes up usually must come down

I’ve always chuckled at the way Japan seems to think it is the only place in the world that actually has “4 seasons,” and the news reporting about the ups and downs of sales related to the seasons always awakens my inner marketing cynic.

Uncategorized

“Creative destruction” yielding new retail landscape

Not dissimilar to the dramatic redrawing of retail distribution in the 90s, during which time we saw the advent of outlet malls and 100-yen shops, and the proliferation of convenience stores, the retail landscape is again undergoing another seismic shift.

Uncategorized

Japan As a Post-Branding Society?

In a 1988 work entitled Postmodernism and Japan,[i] the authors make the interesting hypothesis that what is “postmodern” in the West has existed in Japan in a number of manifestations extending back to what European and American historians term the ‘early modern period’.

Uncategorized

Uptake in e-publishing creates both hardware and software demand

One of the hottest product categories this year is that of e-readers, including the explosion of resulting business in the form of the “e-books” and other published materials.