Editor’s Letter
Tyler Brûlé introduces our Japan special – and chalks up essential dates for your festive diary.The opener
We report from an idiosyncratic nation that has won us over with its quirky kerbside totems, drinks-filled vending machines, mascots and of course, shower toilets.Piggy in the middle
After footage of a boar attacking a man in Fukuoka emerged, the city felt compelled to respond. Monocle’s Kenji Hall joins a patrol.Short and sharp
It started in Tokyo but 1,200 cities now host PechaKucha events, where you give brief talks governed by strict rules. Monocle’s culture editor Chiara Rimella takes the stage.My cabinet
Japan’s sure-footed team of scientists and engineers head out into the cold to monitor our atmosphere.Cosy corner
Expat baker Morihide Yoshida believes the success of his Paris patisserie reflects the common culinary bond shared by Japan and France.Soft power awards
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monocle’s Soft Power Awards. This year we’re celebrating those who are persuading the world in a subtler way.
On the move
We visit the Japanese diasporas that are leaving a distinct mark on the world stage.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.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.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.Politics Briefing
Future leaders of Japan, the Lisbon Treaty anniversary and how spooks are coming out of the shadows.Diplomacy Briefing
Japanese soft power in Washington, a Lithuanian war hero and Australia's soft power revival.Defence Briefing
Island disputes troubling Japan and the US nuclear command finally retires its floppy disks.Cities Briefing
Finding quality of life in Japan, Bogotá gets a metro and a suburb of Vancouver finally has a city centre.
High flyer
Japan is getting ready to take to the skies as Mitsubishi finishes off its first airplane: the slick and efficient SpaceJet M90.Tipping the scales
Kiyoshi Kimura splashes out to buy the first tuna of the year but the larger-than-life methods of Japan’s King of Tuna rely on getting the small details right.Root cause
One man is pushing for a rural return with a business-minded mix of hospitality and agricultural innovation.Modern niches
Whether it’s door-to-door delivery services, cutesy telegrams or ear salons, Japan is home to a host of unique businesses.
Showing their colours
Tokyo’s contemporary-art scene (and collector base) is growing, thanks in part to a group of energetic gallerists with a passion for their country’s creativity. We put four of them – and their key artists – in the frame.Changing the picture
When three friends opened a small cinema in the coastal town of Zushi, it was the spark for the city’s cultural transformation.Tokyo tea party
The world of J-pop is meticulously controlled but latest sensation Chai are embracing a DIY spirit and dancing to their own beat.The Ten
From fantastical anime to upbeat electronica and art shows that interrogate the relationship between man and machine, Japan has much to offer those looking to jump-start their imaginations.
Impressive mileage
The diminutive but hardy Suzuki Jimny, a nippy SUV, has maintained cult status for years. We find out what’s driving the owners’ obsession.Put it down on paper
Digital developments have transformed graphic design but Tokyo’s ‘Idea’ magazine remains a global champion of print.The real deal
The world’s best timber is forged in northern Japan’s freezing winters. Furniture maker Time & Style does it justice; its mission is to keep the craft alive.On its game?
As preparations for the Tokyo Olympics enter the home straight, we assess whether the city has the infrastructure in place to deliver a world-class tournament.
Bowled over
Kagawa is a prefecture so enamoured with Sanuki udon noodles that the delicacy is both tourist attraction and TV star. We tuck in.Getting a taste for it
Dining out in Japan’s capital never ceases to raise the culinary bar. We’ve picked out three venues that serve to highlight the city’s eclectic mix.Food & Drink Briefing
Must-visit venues, including an Italian-Japanese restaurant in east London, a canny vineyard close to Tokyo and a kitchen with French-Japanese flair in New York.
Big in Japan
Japan is known for its wealth of high-quality fashion brands but which is leading the pack? Here are three Tokyo standouts.Process power
The Japanese fashion industry’s dedication to perfecting production techniques has set the bar for manufacturing excellence. How did this celebration of the specifics come to define the country’s exacting output?Pack leader
The great outdoors is having a moment and Snow Peak hopes its fashionable pitch can turn this into a movement.Cold comfort
Offset those winter blues, greens and browns with flourishes of yellow and red – and layer up against the chill with oversized coats and snug knits.
THE WOOLMARK COMPANY
MonocleField of expertise
Increasingly these days, consumers are thinking about their clothes in a different way. We need to: fashion is one of the world’s most heavily polluting industries so we can’t keep buying fast-fashion items and ditching them after one season. So, when thinking about your smart modern wardrobe and choosing what sorts of clothes are worth investing in, it makes sense to consider items of clothing made of merino wool.
Australia is the world leader in producing the merino wool that consumers have fallen in love with. This noble fibre is produced by tens of thousands of passionate Australian woolgrowers who know that happy, healthy sheep produce the world’s best wool. Acting on behalf of these growers, The Woolmark Company is a not-for-profit organisation that not only champions Australian wool but also guarantees authenticity and quality assurance with its iconic logo.
An increasing number of modern shoppers are keen to buy less but buy better. This change in consumption patterns can ultimately reduce the carbon footprint of their wardrobes as they invest in a smaller number of high-quality pieces destined to last a lifetime. For many reasons, woollen creations fit the bill; they are the antidote to fast-fashion and the fibre’s naturally inherent properties are so unique that they cannot be matched by any other material, natural or man-made. In fact, The Woolmark Company asked research firm Nielsen to dive into the wardrobes of more than 1,000 consumers in China, Japan, Germany, the UK and the US; the resulting study showed that woollen items were among the most durable pieces of clothing that people own. Seven per cent of wool items were bought more than a decade ago, compared to about 2 per cent of cotton and polyester items (figures taken as an average between both male and female wardrobes).
The study also revealed that consumers perceived wool items as being “very difficult” to care for, which is a common misconception. Many wool items can be machine-washed and even tumble-dried at home, with care instructions that are simple to follow. It is also an eco-friendly fibre. When you wash it, the microfibres released are biodegradable and gradually disappear when they reach the ocean; when you wash synthetic products, the microfibres persist and can harm marine life.
Other factors make woollen wares worthy of being long-term investments. Australian merino wool is naturally soft and breathable, and resistant to odour, creases and UV rays. Materials made from the fibre are versatile and can be worn across the seasons: it is one of the most breathable fibres and is also active, meaning that it reacts to changes in the wearer’s body temperature. It keeps you toasty when it’s cold and cool in summer.
The potential and innovative nature of Australian merino wool has seen it move away from the confines of traditional tailoring and jumpers knitted by grandma. On these pages you’ll see how its rise in popularity has seen the world’s best designers turn the noble fibre into luxurious knitwear, high-performance sportswear and items that will stand the test of time.
The Woolmark Company is committed to supporting Australia’s 60,000 woolgrowers and uniting the supply chain, from farmers to consumers, by encouraging lifestyles that promote ethical and ecological practices
Australian merino wool is a miracle yarn: it is renewable, biodegradable and completely natural
______________________________________________________________________
01
Rollneck jumper
by Emilia Wickstead
Merino wool is longlasting, making it the perfect material for an investment piece, such as this classic chunky rollneck.
______________________________________________________________________
02
Jacket by Private White VC
Trousers by Joe Merino
Naturally resistant to creases, merino wool can be found in plenty of sharply cut menswear pieces.
______________________________________________________________________
03
Bra top and leggings
by Nagnata
Wool microfibres are biodegradable, making wool an eco-friendly choice for heavily washed items such as sportswear.
______________________________________________________________________
04
Long-sleeve waffle base layer
by Tracksmith
Looking for an exercise top that will keep you warm before your run and cool you down mid-race? Wool can do that.
______________________________________________________________________
05
Poncho by Albus Lumen
Super soft and breathable, merino wool is both luxurious and practical – wrap yourself up in this poncho to feel cosy.