Skip to main content
Currently being edited in London

Daily inbox intelligence from Monocle

Affairs

Page 131

Entrepreneurialism

Modern niches

Whether it’s door-to-door delivery services, cutesy telegrams or ear salons, Japan is home to a host of unique businesses.

  • Issue #129
  • 9 min read
Illustration of a hand selecting an orange geometric bead from a wooden frame structure against a blue background, representing the concept of niche selection.
Urbanism

Cities

Finding quality of life in Japan, Bogotá gets a metro and a suburb of Vancouver finally has a city centre.

  • Issue #129
  • 3 min read
A red and white monorail train glides along an elevated track above a urban cityscape under a bright blue sky.
Defence

Defence

Island disputes troubling Japan and the US nuclear command finally retires its floppy disks.

  • Issue #129
  • 4 min read
Tourists photograph dramatic rocky sea stacks from the deck of a boat on a sunny day.
Diplomacy

Diplomacy

Japanese soft power in Washington, a Lithuanian war hero and Australia's soft power revival.

  • Issue #129
  • 4 min read
Shane McLeod, research fellow at the Lowy Institute, in professional headshot
Politics

Politics

Future leaders of Japan, the Lisbon Treaty anniversary and how spooks are coming out of the shadows.

  • Issue #129
  • 4 min read
A side profile portrait of a woman in a light blazer with pearl earrings, looking into the distance against a soft urban backdrop.
Society

Japanese lessons

Impeccable service, responsible citizenship and warm hospitality are just some of the practices that make society tick in Japan. Here are 10 things the country can teach the world.

  • Issue #129
  • 5 min read
Japanese lessons
Politics

Tipping point

In Japan, communism is not a dirty word. A top-selling newspaper and donation at the municipal level herald a decisive moment for this leftist, pacifist party.

  • Issue #129
  • 7 min read
Japanese Communist Party politicians campaign from the roof of a van outside a busy urban train station.
Soft Power

Follow the bear

Fluffy, furry mascots are everywhere in Japan but Kumamon has captured the nation’s imagination like no other. We explore his ‘very’ soft-power potential.

  • Issue #129
  • 10 min read
Kumamon, the black bear mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, stands in a fluorescent-lit office corridor lined with shelves.
Design

On the move

We visit the Japanese diasporas that are leaving a distinct mark on the world stage.

  • Issue #129
  • 7 min read
Four Japanese people in winter clothing standing outside the Arabia factory building in Helsinki

Monocle Cart

You currently have no items in your cart.
  • Subtotal:
  • Discount:
  • Shipping:
  • Total:
Checkout

Shipping will be calculated at checkout.

Please note: Orders to the United States may experience delays beyond the estimated-delivery window due to customs processing. Please refer to our FAQs for information on import duties and regulations.

All orders placed outside of the EU that exceed €1,000 in value require customs documentation. Please allow up to two additional business days for these orders to be dispatched.

Not ready to checkout? Continue Shopping