by carterjmrn | Jul 9, 2019 | Carter Group Viewpoints
It’s not very often that anyone gets to say they’ve witnessed the dawn of a new era, but on May 1st this year, with the enthronement of a new Emperor, all of us in Japan rang in the age of Reiwa. I renewed my driver’s license a few days later and was delighted to see...
by carterjmrn | Jul 10, 2014 | Carter Group Viewpoints
Having spent the past 28 years observing the Japanese market and its trials and tribulations, I am always amused by the “is Japan back” question, which I have heard on a number of occasions over the years. Did anyone really ever think that Japan had gone “somewhere...
by carterjmrn | Apr 9, 2012 | Carter Group Viewpoints
As negotiations move forward, will Japan be able to muster the political will needed to capitalize on the opportunities that The Trans-Pacific Partnership (or TPP) has to offer? The TPP is a free-trade agreement that promotes economic integration among participating...
by carterjmrn | May 10, 2010 | Uncategorized
After years of being billed as “the world’s 2nd largest economy,” it appears that 2010 may be the year in which Japan’s economy will officially be surpassed by China’s. Since GDP comparisons are made in dollar terms, foreign exchange movements may impact the exact...
by carterjmrn | Mar 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
I was walking through Takashimaya in Nihombashi last week, and was impressed by its grandeur, efficient staff and presentation of luxury brands. However, I also noted its “emptiness” in terms of number of customers. Department stores, once the bastion of retail...
