Narrative Japan

Narrative Japan Podcasts

A podcast decoding modern Japan through dialogues between Sakura, a university student, and Professor Haru. Together, they explore the ideas, people, and transformations shaping Japan’s economy and society today. ----------------- 【Recommended for Listeners Who...】 ・Enjoy learning about economics and business through engaging, story-driven conversations ・Are curious about emerging trends and quiet revolutions shaping Japan today

  1. 6 HR AGO

    Why Japan Has More Hair Salons Than Convenience Stores

    Japan has 380,000 hair salons — more than convenience stores. But rising costs, AI controversies, and shifting consumer habits are forcing the industry to reinvent itself or vanish. ◆Introduction: A dying barbershop holds the key to understanding Japan's beauty industry transformation. Professor Haru and curious student Sakura sit inside an abandoned Tokyo barbershop to explore how salons are fighting back — from inventory-free e-commerce and million-member platforms to AI color matching and the rise of recession beauty. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    9 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Japan's Store Brand Takeover: Why 90% of Shoppers Switched

    Discover how Japan's private brand market exploded to $10 billion. In this episode, Professor Haru and student Sakura explore why 90% of Japanese shoppers now buy store brands, the diverse retail strategies from budget to premium, and what it means for the future of consumer behavior. ◆Introduction: Store brands are no longer cheap knockoffs—they're reshaping Japan's retail landscape. Walk into any Japanese supermarket today and you'll notice something surprising: store-brand products are everywhere. But unlike the "cheap alternatives" of the past, these private brands now compete on quality, innovation, and even premium positioning. Join us as we unpack the trillion-yen revolution happening on Japan's shelves. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    7 min

  3. 5 FEB

    The Trillion-Yen Trap: Dark Patterns in Japanese E-commerce

    Why is it so hard to cancel online subscriptions in Japan? Explore dark patterns, consumer rights, and business opportunities through a professor-student dialogue. ◆Introduction: A deep dive into Japan's e-commerce cancellation crisis and what it means for global businesses. Sakura, a curious student, struggles to cancel a skincare subscription—and discovers a trillion-yen problem. Professor Haru reveals how 70% of Japanese e-commerce sites use dark patterns, why silent customers are reshaping brand loyalty, and what the 2026 regulatory changes mean for companies entering the Japanese market. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    7 min

  4. 3 FEB

    Dumpling Empire: Inside Japan's Billion-Dollar Gyoza Business

    Discover how Japan transformed a simple Chinese dumpling into a billion-dollar business empire. This episode explores gyoza chain strategies, frozen food innovation, e-commerce expansion, and niche markets like athlete nutrition and allergy-friendly products. ◆Introduction: How Japan built a billion-dollar dumpling empire Why did a major gyoza chain raise prices five times yet grow its customer base? How did frozen gyoza dominate Japan's freezer aisle? Join Professor Haru and student Sakura at a late-night dumpling spot as they unpack the surprising business secrets behind Japan's beloved comfort food. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    7 min

  5. 29 JAN

    Why 1 in 5 Tokyo Kids Take Elite Middle School Exams

    Discover why nearly 1 in 5 Tokyo kids take elite middle school exams at age 12. We explore Japan's booming cram school industry, record bankruptcies, the STEM shift, and what it means for businesses eyeing the Japanese education market. ◆Introduction: A deep dive into Japan's high-stakes middle school exam culture and the billion-dollar industry it created. In this episode, Professor Haru and Sakura discuss Japan's unique "juken" phenomenon over tea in Tokyo. From free high school tuition unexpectedly fueling cram school demand, to small tutoring centers collapsing while giants thrive, to parents rethinking "more homework = better results" — we unpack the trends reshaping Japanese education and the business opportunities hidden within. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    8 min

  6. 27 JAN

    Paid Plastic Bags in Japan: Smart Policy or Business Gold?

    Why does Japan charge for plastic bags? Discover how Japanese businesses turned a government mandate into marketing gold, product innovation, and new revenue streams. A must-listen for anyone eyeing the Japanese market. ◆Introduction: A small policy shift reveals big business lessons from Japan. In 2020, Japan made plastic bags paid at checkout—but this wasn't just about the environment. Some companies saw it as a burden. Others saw opportunity. From limited-edition designer bags to easy-open innovations, Japanese businesses are rewriting the rules. Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they explore what this means for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to understand Japan's unique consumer culture. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    6 min

  7. 22 JAN

    Why Nike Lost Japan: The Hakone Ekiden Business Story

    Discover how Japan's iconic Hakone Ekiden relay race has become a fierce battleground for global sneaker brands—and a powerful metaphor for Japanese business philosophy. From Nike's dramatic fall to ASICS's comeback, explore the unexpected business lessons hidden in this century-old tradition. ◆Introduction: Japan's New Year race reveals surprising business secrets. Every January, millions of Japanese tune in to watch university students race through the mountains of Hakone. But beneath the athletic drama lies a fascinating business story: shoe giants battling for market dominance, family businesses passing the baton across generations, and even electric motorcycles making their debut. Join Sakura and Professor Haru as they unpack the business wisdom hidden in Japan's beloved Ekiden tradition. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    7 min

  8. 20 JAN

    Japan's Overtime Paradox: Why Reforms Cut Pay, Not Hours

    Discover why Japan's labor reforms backfired: 1 in 3 truck drivers earn less despite reduced overtime. Explore the "superwoman" myth, gender inequality, and what it means for businesses entering Japan's market. ◆Introduction: Japan's Overtime Paradox—When Reform Means Income Loss Japan's 2019 labor reforms promised better work-life balance, but triggered an unexpected crisis. This episode unpacks how overtime pay became essential income, why only 10.9% of workers want more hours, and what global business leaders must understand about Japan's labor culture transformation. ◆Note The content of this program is intended solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal views of the creators.Please make any investment or business decisions based on your own judgment and responsibility.This program does not endorse or recommend any specific financial products or investment strategies.

    9 min
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About

A podcast decoding modern Japan through dialogues between Sakura, a university student, and Professor Haru. Together, they explore the ideas, people, and transformations shaping Japan’s economy and society today. ----------------- 【Recommended for Listeners Who...】 ・Enjoy learning about economics and business through engaging, story-driven conversations ・Are curious about emerging trends and quiet revolutions shaping Japan today

Information

  • Creator
    Narrative Japan Podcasts
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Narrative Japan Podcasts
  • Show Website
    Narrative Japan