japan
Page 47
Making it together
There’s a growing awareness that proximity to production can help to keep standards high. We visit three firms to see how HQs with in-built factories are keeping staff engaged and improving products.
Business
After a decade-long struggle and a recent court victory over its trademark, Starbucks has opened its first café in Russia. The company remains tight-lipped about future expansion plans beyond its initial Moscow outpost.
Buried treasure
Tadao Ando is one of the world’s most respected architects. Working against Japan’s ‘rip down and rebuild’ policy, he is now burying structures and wondering if architects should stop creating new buildings.
Mountain high
Music festivals are big business in Japan, but the one that started the boom is still the best: Fuji Rock. We head to the countryside to meet the world’s best-behaved music freaks.
4. Tokyo
Integrated transport, breathtaking technology, great service and the best bars make this our top big city.
Asia
Japan's courtroom junkies and China takes a hike to save the planet (and its reputation).
The Inn Crowd
Japan’s simple, pared-down ryokan are setting new standards in service and design. One remodelled inn by architect Kengo Kuma introduces a western audience to the pleasures of the traditional Japanese inn.
Feeling flush
Japan's beloved Washlet turns 90-year-old TOTO into a global brand with fresh ambitions, as the toilet maker sets its sights on conquering Europe's plumbing conservatism.
