Hiroshi Kai
Liquid Gold
‘Genki’ drinks – nutrition and energy beverages – have flooded the Japanese market yet manufacturers are now targeting female consumers and soaking up foreign customers. Is saturation imminent?
Beer in mind
High taxes and rigid regulation have made it a tough sell for Japan’s artisan beer makers. But increasingly astute drinkers are starting to appreciate the superior quality product micro-breweries have to offer.
From the same tree
Maruni Wood Industry, a family business, faced shifting fortunes for years. A reluctant family member returned to his roots, only to discover he was the natural saviour of the company his great uncle founded.
Expo 35: Taipei
The right mixture of progress and chaos makes Taiwan's capital a fun place to live. It has the world's most advanced cashless payment system alongside sprawling, hectic night markets.
Bowled over
In a remote part of South Korea, 84-year-old Lee Bong-ju is reviving the tradition of making beautiful, unique Korean bronzeware, from elegant cutlery to white-gold dishes that have served presidents and royalty.
Balmy army
Guam’s population will increase by almost half when the US military relocates from Okinawa. It’s a milestone in the island’s history and a development boom is under way.
Snow place like home
Seduced by Siberia’s powdery snow, Australian skiers stayed to open hotels and cafés, kickstarting a small business and development boom in Niseko, a once sleepy town in Japan’s far north.
Look & listen
Monocle’s summer arts calendar highlights the best albums to line up, books for the beach, shows to saunter round and movies to enjoy – from Fuji Rock to the Whitney Museum.
50 things to improve your life
Our 2009 global round-up of the people, pursuits, places and pets to improve the way you live, work, rest, commute and communicate.
Two-wheel deal
The car industry is in global disarray. So can the makers of affordable, greener scooters overtake the punch-drunk auto makers? At Honda’s HQ they are planning a two-wheeled revolution.
