japan
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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.
Power struggle
Sakhalin, in Russia’s far east, is a short hop from Japan, its former ruler. Marooned during the Soviet era, the region has seen little investment or spoils from its own huge oil reserves.
Asia
Imagine walking into a room bursting with not-yet-released products, from bath oils and bottled water to exercise machines and lipsticks. Now imagine being told to help yourself.
Isle be back
Japan's Okinawa prefecture is experiencing a renaissance. Companies large and small are capitalising on its relaxed, affordable lifestyle, great beaches and warm climate, with the city of Naha leading the way.
Skill set
Our design talents to watch for 2008 and beyond run the gamut from creators of a new regional jet to the designer of great office-cum-daywear, united by a passion for simple, pared-down looks.
Shaking it up
Are you familiar with all of these leaders? Monocle profiles three whose influence will continue to grow and grooms two necessary leaders of its own.
Natural by design
Yoshifumi Nakamura's weekend haven in the hills of Japan’s Nagano region is a perfect example of the growing global trend for simple, ecologically sound living.
Time is everything
In Honshu's forested mountains, Seiko's craftsmen hand-build the Grand Seiko with monastic precision, proving Japan's mechanical watchmaking rivals Switzerland's finest — one meticulous, unhurried component at a time.
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.
Mode in Japan
Next to the vast Tokyo International Gift Show, a smaller, edited craft and design show called For Stockists has become the hot ticket, thanks to its charismatic founder.
