Hair salon bankruptcies in Japan are on the rise, with 139 cases recorded between January and August 2024, a significant increase from previous years. Factors such as rising competition, material costs, and labor expenses are contributing to this surge. Despite these challenges, some salons are finding ways to thrive by adopting cost-effective strategies.
Foreign influencers are sparking fierce competition as they quickly sell Japanese gold jewelry using nothing more than a smartphone.
The announcement of the iPhone 16 has sent sellers flocking to the second-hand iPhone market in Japan, with iPhones 12 and 13 going for less than half the price of a new model.
Japanese firm Smile-Up., formerly known as Johnny & Associates, says representative director Fujishima Julie has stepped down from executive posts of its affiliated firms. (NHK)
Bookstores across Japan continue to close, and publishers are facing equally harsh business conditions. According to private research firm Teikoku Databank, 36.2% of publishers posted losses last fiscal year, the highest percentage in the past 20 years.
A major Canadian convenience store operator says it is disappointed that Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings has rejected its takeover offer, but it remains willing to negotiate. (NHK)
Sharp announced last Friday that it will enter the development and sales of electric vehicles (EVs) using an EV platform developed by its parent company, Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry, with the aim of launching sales in a few years.
The number of share buybacks this year in Japan is on the rise, and it's possible that we'll see a record number by the time winter rolls around.