Terrie's Take

The J@pan Inc Business Awards aims to recognize the achievements of international businesses working in the Japanese market. Beyond being a third party commendation for businesses and entrepreneurs, Terrie explains why you should get nominating worthy candidates now. Read Now

EXCLUSIVE: Japan's largest paper manufacturer, Oji Paper, has a track record of dubious ethical behavior and cover-ups related to its use of toxic materials. Terrie breaks a new scandal concerning the firm's related company, Oji Homes, that has apparently tolerated the existence of asbestos and PCBs in one of its upmarket properties in Tokyo, populated mainly by young families. Read Now

The IPO market in Japan appears to be flatlining. Terrie looks at the social and economic reasons behind the downturn, and makes some suggestions as to how to breath some new life into small-medium enterprises in Japan. Read Now

What have a species of lizard, Japan's border disputes and a small chain of islands got in common? Terrie perceives political motives in an NHK natural history documentary. For the full story, Read Terrie's Take Now

With prices rises across the board, has frugality affected higher end markets? Terrie uncorks the wine industry in Japan and discovers that while current economic conditions may put off the less discriminating consumer, wine appreciation is deeply entrenched among the more affluent and urbane sections of Japanese society. Read Terrie's Take Now

The activities of sovereign wealth funds have attracted a lot of attention recently. One such fund, Mudabala Development has recently partnered with the Kobe International Frontier Medical Center. Terrie questions the motivation behind this investment and raises some serious concerns about the viability of the business model.

US retail giant Wal-Mart entered the Japanese market after it bought into Japanese supermarket chain Seiyu in 2002. However, the company have a rough ride -- Terrie considers some of the problems with its branding and asks how it might be able to take advantage of the current economic climate. Read Now

In mid-March, 2008, a company called Nihon Uni introduced a new t-shirt which is made of toughened polyethylene fibers to make it knife resistant. What is the shape of the market for these products? How much do media reports of stabbings affect consumer perception? For the full story, Read Terrie's Take Now

Considered entering the Japanese market? Terrie takes a look at the different dimensions of embarking on a joint venture with a Japanese company and explains how current demographic and economic conditions might be favorable. Read Now

Japan is known as a haven for disaffected Japanese spouses who, in getting divorced, abscond with their kids back to Japan. However, in a breakthrough agreement, Japan has announced it will sign a Hague treaty whereby children who are illegally removed from their country of habitual residence must be returned, and the jurisdiction for subsequent court decisions is taken out of the hands of the Japanese courts.To find out why this is a huge step forward for Japan, Read Terrie's Take Now