Entrepreneurs
How Scientists Want to Trick Your Jet-Lagged Body Into Feeling Sleepy
Japanese researchers have synthesized molecules to regulate your body's sleep-inducing proteins.
Japan | Page 2
Business News
Japan Driverless Taxi Startup Eyes Partnerships With Automakers
The venture has set the 2020 Games in Tokyo as a target to develop software to operate driverless cars and an online service to ferry athletes and tourists between Olympic venues and the city's transport hubs.
By Reuters
Business News
Meet the Chatty Robot That Acts as a Smartphone
RoBoHoN can dance and talk with people in addition to performing smartphone functions like texting and browsing the Internet.
By Reuters
Buying a Franchise
Is Burger King Bringing a Burger With Black Buns to the U.S.?
The burger has been a hit in Japan, and rumors are swirling it will make its U.S. debut for Halloween.
By Kate Taylor
Business News
You Can Soon Buy an 8K TV — But There’s a Catch
Sharp's $133,000 ultra-HD television will go on sale in October.
Building a Business
4 Reasons to Pivot Your Business Toward Asia
Asia is an untapped market with huge potential, creating opportunities to grow businesses in a multitude of industries.
By Zach Cutler
Building a Business
Japanese Court: Bitcoin Can’t Be Owned, People Can’t Sue Mt. Gox for Compensation
A judge ruled that bitcoins don't have the 'tangible qualities' needed to constitute owned property by Japanese law.
Building a Business
Ex-CEO of Defunct Bitcoin Exchange Mt. Gox Arrested in Japan
Hundreds of millions of virtual currency dollars are missing.
By Reuters
Building a Business
How Muji Created a Cult Following of Design Enthusiasts
Its products have no visible brand identifiers -- and that's proven to be a good thing.
By Carren Jao
Business News
Nintendo CEO Who Broadened Video Game Appeal Dies
Satoru Iwata's death comes months after he led the Japanese video-game maker's belated entry into mobile gaming following years of declining sales.
By Reuters
Thought Leaders
4 Unexpected Business Lessons From a Japanese Writer
Haruki Murakami's genius lies in his discipline, focus and determination. His work is applicable to running a startup.
By Alex Iskold
Building a Business
Ever Sprint to Catch a Flight? You’ll Appreciate This Airport’s Racetrack Lanes.
As part of the runup to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan's largest airport gets a sporty upgrade. Just imagine all the goofy starting line selfies taking off.
Marketing
10 Starbucks Frappuccinos You Can’t Buy in America
As the famous drink celebrates its 20th birthday, check out where in the world you can buy flavors such as cheesecake and red bean.
By Kate Taylor
Buying a Franchise
Taco Bell to Open First Restaurants in Japan
The taco chain plans to add 1,300 new locations internationally by 2023.
By Kate Taylor
Business Accounting
Soy Sauce Bottle Designer, Dead at 85, Was Inspired to Create in Destruction’s Wake
Hiroshima native Kenji Ekuan processed the tragic bombings into a creative fuel that resulted in a long and illustrious industrial design career.
By Geoff Weiss
Buying a Franchise
Struggles in Asia Drag Down McDonald’s January Sales
McDonald's global sales dropped almost 2 percent in January, even though same-store sales rose in the U.S. for the first time in more than a year.
By Kate Taylor
Tech
In Japan, a ‘Strange Hotel’ Will Be Staffed Almost Entirely By Robots
Guests will be welcomed to the property by three 'actroids' -- robots with an uncanny human likeness and an ability to engage in intelligent conversation.
By Geoff Weiss
Buying a Franchise
Wendy’s Japan Crams Entire Turkey Dinner Between Two Buns
Don't feel like preparing an entire turkey feast for Christmas? Head to Japan and pick up Wendy's Turkey Pretzel Mashed Potato Burger.
By Kate Taylor
Buying a Franchise
Why McDonald’s Is Only Selling Small Servings of Fries in Japan
At McDonald's restaurants in Japan, medium and large fries have been taken off the menu.
By Kate Taylor
Buying a Franchise
Burger King Introduces Another Stomach-Turning Burger in Japan
A burger topped with berries is the latest of Burger King Japan's bizarre fast food offerings.
By Kate Taylor
Business News
The Best Whiskey in the World No Longer Hails From Scotland
In fact, not a single Scotch whiskey even managed to crack the top five on a much-revered annual compilation.
By Geoff Weiss
Business News
This Translation App Helps Professionals Traveling in China and Japan
Waygo, a mobile app, takes a snapshot of written text and translates it into basic English.
Business News
Why Japan Is Still Buying Music CDs
Digital sales are on the decline in the country, while CD sales are still going strong.
By Laura Entis
Buying a Franchise
Would You Eat Burger King’s Black Cheeseburger?
Burger King Japan is rolling out a burger that's treated with bamboo charcoal to give its cheese and buns and unnaturally dark shade.
By Kate Taylor
Marketing
Hello Kitty Bombshell: Kitty Is Not a Cat
Talk about a pivot. Sanrio received a boatload of publicity yesterday with the revelation that Hello Kitty is not, in fact, a cat.
By Kate Taylor
Building a Business
Bitcoin Exchange Mt. Gox Heads for Liquidation
Mt. Gox isn't rising from the ashes after all and its customers will likely never see the hundreds of thousands of bitcoins the shattered exchange lost.
Business Accounting
Japan Considers Taxing Bitcoin, Canadian Exchange Folds Following Hack
There's never a dull moment in the Bitcoin realm. Here's a quick rundown of the latest twists in the digital currency's rollercoaster drama.