With many of Japan’s businesses cruelly flattened, the rebuilding process must begin, but with energy in short supply and the economy having suffered a huge blow, that’s a big challenge. Monocle looks at 10 badly hit sec…
A fish for celebration.
As much as we love flying out of Tokyo’s Haneda, Monocle opts for the slow train to Hokkaido for the holidays – the 19.03 from Ueno to Sapporo.
On a visit to the southern Japanese prefecture of Saga, New York restaurateur Mikio Shinagawa was appalledby the destruction of the region’s traditional houses. He set about saving and restoring them, and has even managed…
Formerly a light bulb manufacturer, Shotoku began making hand-blown glassware in the 1950s. Today its ultra-thin Usuhari glasses are the toast of the town. And it still continues to innovate.
Under its post-war constitution, Japan is not allowed a navy, only a Self-Defence Force. Yet, today, the country has one of the largest, most sophisticated fleets in the world. Tensions with North Korea and China have also…
Japan is a nation moving beyond an unthinkable disaster to re-establish itself as a regional leader in culture and innovative lifestyles. This issue we meet the people spearheading the unusual evolution of Japanese society…
Fascinated with furniture design, Noritsugu Oda bought his first chair in the 1970s. He now has 1,200 of them. But, as Monocle discovers, he isn’t in the slightest bit precious about his priceless collection.
The CEO of Japan’s largest chain of entertainment stores is peculiarly sketchy on management – he never gives orders, positively encourages failure and doesn’t even have his own office – yet he’s particularly successful too…
As the big media store chains disappear, Japan's most successful book, music and magazine seller has opened a project that challenges everyone. We visit the floors of a refreshed retail landscape.
Politics and cost have prevented Japan from putting a human up there but, they say, their cosmic focus is not the vain flag-planting of the space race, rather research and exploration. A strategy that has led to them dev…
While the woodworking firms and lumber yards of northern Japan have been in decline, wooden-toy brand Mastro Geppetto is thriving.
Tokyo Designers Week is a long-established annual event featuring two key fairs: 100% Design and DesignTide. Monocle visited at the end of last year and found a healthy ambition to champion fresh talent. Here’s our pick…
In Japan, if you're not doing ‘Rajio Taiso’ you're either dead or you've slept in. Millions of Japanese rise early every morning to get together and do radio exercises – the rest do them at work.
Monocle reports on why consumers in Japan are increasingly keen to support smaller, independent design firms.
Rewind to 1980 and the idea of a Japanese luxury car brand would have been unthinkable. Today, Toyota's Lexus division has become a dominant force in the US luxury market and wants to do the same in Europe. Monocle's Editor…
The Japanese are going bonkers over their canines. But with the market for doggie products reaching saturation point, what’s next for the lucrative industry? Funerals and hotels apparently.
Despite an unsettled history and political identity, due to its location at the point where Japan faces China under the watchful eyes of the US military, Naha seems healthy, happy and relaxed, and a long way from Japan’s…
The functional concrete bungalows hastily built after the Second World War to house the US troops are becoming a popular option for young Japanese looking for more living space.
Japan’s relationship with its military makes for interesting ideas across all media
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