Keith Ng
Expo 29: How I Govern
From Nagasaki to Washington, Monocle chronicles how a diverse group of presidents and mayors manage, from dealing with poverty and provincial wars to taking power naps and holding 'noodle' meetings.
Going to Zozotown
Zozotown has over two million visitors to its virtual boulevard of shops, populated by the best international fashion brands. Monocle visits the firm’s HQ to witness the future of e-commerce.
Master of the robes
A decade ago, teenage boys in Tokyo rarely wore kimonos. Now, attitudes to national identity are changing, and Genbei Yamaguchi’s new collection for United Arrows is targeting this shift.
Dead simple
Tokyo-based design guru Kenya Hara advises companies, including Muji, on their aesthetic direction. He also runs his own design institute and collaborates with designers. Here, he describes his last meal.
Film stars
The global camera market has rapidly switched to digital. Last year, Japan produced 94 million digital cameras versus 800,000 film cameras. Yet an army of die-hard fans is keeping the film format alive.
In the first lane
In July, Japan’s Fast Retailing Co bid for Barneys, revealing its wealth. Now the group is set on making its Uniqlo brand a powerful – and very Japanese – global brand.
Yongkang Park and Daan
Taiwan has been out on a limb, diplomatically, for the past 35 years but that hasn’t stopped its capital Taipei from thriving. It’s a blend of Chinese, Japanese and indigenous influences.
Wheeler dealer
Giant is the world’s largest bicycle firm. While China takes the mass market, Giant pushes prices for specialist models ever higher. Its president also plans to turn Taiwan into a cycling heaven.
