japan
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Designs of the time
Tokyo's ‘House Vision’ exhibition invites creative thinkers to explore new possibilities for urban living and the future of the Japanese house, from delivery-friendly fridges to pull-down baths.
Spirit of enterprise
As the first Suntory president from outside its founding family, Takeshi Niinami has used all his management guile to help the classic Japanese drinks brand expand beyond its home market.
Transport design: full steam ahead
Japan’s long-distance trains are entering a new era of luxury and innovation. Monocle visits the industrial and interior designers who are redefining train travel.
Asia
Learn a few moves from China’s “dancing grannies” and find out how the volume is being turned down on Hong Kong’s tramcars.
Inventory no. 94
This month we deck out readers with seaside-inspired trainers, Bulgarian beach bats and a new brew from Barcelona. Plus the German bags worth bragging about and fishing lures to angle for.
Asia
Taiwanese roll the dice, Japan’s youth head for the ballot box and Hong Kongers hop in a dragon boat.
Village voices
We take a tour of the most innovative and enticing compact communities around the world.
Start small: Design villages
The rural communities that have built on their craft heritage to stay relevant in an urbanised world.
New tricks in the sticks: Village shops
The rural retailers whose need to adapt put them back at the heart of their communities.
Observation
From regularly refreshed department stores to dedicated dog buggies, Japan revels in the retail details. Tyler Brûlé explains why nobody does it better and looks ahead to our next Quality of Life Conference.
