japan
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Wood for good
While the woodworking firms and lumber yards of northern Japan have been in decline, wooden-toy brand Mastro Geppetto is thriving.
Principles of style
We ask two fashion buyers what they look for when selecting brands for their shop and for their top picks for this season and beyond.
Asia
New flights from Tokyo to Yangon, why the French are lighting up Cambodia, and Japan gets creative.
Renewal process
Having seen its film business nosedive thanks to the digital onslaught, Japan’s Fujifilm has found another lucrative avenue – skincare.
Homely heroine
Harumi Kurihara is an unlikely celebrity, a down-to-earth housewife at heart who has hit the big time with her cookbooks and TV shows. Meet Japan’s unassuming answer to Martha Stewart.
Inner growth
At just 35, Makoto Tanijiri is one of Japan’s most promising visionary architects. This inspired home, built in the sprawling suburbs of Nagoya, with a garden at its heart, shows why.
Asia
Monocle talks to Japanese designers, architects and businessmen about what their country needs, post-election. Plus, a look at Hong Kong's pollution problem and Japan's approach to wealthy Chinese tourists.
Architecture/Design
A Monocle guide to interesting architecture going up in the next year, from a Chilean winery to a Copenhagen healthcare centre. Plus, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara enjoys a revival.
Forecast 2010: Transport
What you can learn on an Indian train; the future of commuting; Japan pushes further, faster and Bogotá goes Underground.
Observation
Seoul's transformation from scrappy outsider to polished global contender, tracked over a decade of visits, reveals just how fast Korea has outpaced its regional rivals.
