Articles
Latest News
Find the latest insights, innovations, and trends. From various news sources, we pick and summarize the most important insights, innovations, trends, and news from hundreds of reports each week in Japan.
Unstoppable growth of 24-hour unmanned frozen confectionary store ‘ 24- Sweets shop’ in Japan.
The growth of "24 Sweets Shop," an unmanned sweets specialty store, is unstoppable. In just a year and a half since its opening, it has expanded to over 90 locations. They have developed a business model that allows for the sale of popular sweets from across Japan on a per-item basis. 24 Sweets...
Muji’ｓ new business “MUJI room essentials”
MUJI, known for its simple and functional design, faces the risk of overlapping with other brands. However, it continues to innovate. In 2020, "MUJI Naoyetsu" opened, aiming to become the center of daily life in the Joetsu region by introducing local attractions and new, useful services. Despite...
The prepared foods market in 2023 hit full recovery in Japan. Japan can be the best new market to learn for particularly in the realm of hot deli items.
The prepared foods market in 23 hit a full recovery, reaching ¥10.9827 trillion, up 106.4% from pre-pandemic levels. According to the "2024 Edition Prepared Foods White Paper" issued by the Japan Prepared Foods Association on June 1, the prepared foods market in 23 reached ¥10.9827 trillion, up...
Imported Orange juice crisis, expanding produt developments for domestically produced mandarin juice in Japan.
Orange juice is a familiar drink in the home. Almost all of the juice is imported, but natural disasters and disease outbreaks in orange-producing countries have led to supply shortages, and the yen's depreciation has also caused prices to soar. Domestic manufacturers unable to secure juice are...
How Kagome’s Tomato Juice is Dominating the Vegetable Beverage Market: The Power of Lycopene and GABA”
Kagome's vegetable beverages are gaining support across a wide range of age groups. In 2023, while the vegetable beverage market remained flat, Kagome's "Tomato Juice" achieved a 123% year-on-year growth, expanding its market share to over 60%. As a result, the tomato juice market as a whole grew...
The Era of Enjoying Authentic Sushi at Home: Innovations in the Frozen Sushi Market Frozen
Frozen sushi technology advancements have made it easier to enjoy authentic sushi at home. Traditional challenges of refrigerated storage, which makes the rice hard, and room temperature storage, which spoils the toppings, have been resolved by the latest freezing and thawing techniques developed...
Just like salmon roe, substituted with soybeans = “Daitai Kaisen Maki” released – Family Mart.
FamilyMart announced on the 22nd that it will be selling "Daitai (alternative) seafood maki,'' which uses substitute foods such as salmon roe, sea urchin, and crab, from the 28th at approximately 4,900 stores in the Kanto region and six prefectures. Salmon roe was replaced with vegetable oil...
Koya-tofu(Dried Tofu) protects the muscles of elderly people and astronauts.
On May 21, Asahimatsu Foods and Tokushima University announced a joint research project titled "Protecting Muscles of Astronauts and the Elderly with Koya Tofu – New Functionalities of Freeze-dried Tofu" at the Hotel Metropolitan Nagano in Nagano City. The research presentation was organized by...
Aiming to be a “Super Taipa” What is Oisix’s new delicatessen service “Deli Oisix”?
On April 18, Oisix La Daichi (Tokyo/President Kohei Takashima: hereinafter referred to as Oisix) launched ``Deli Oisix'', a service that delivers refrigerated side dishes prepared in the microwave using recipes supervised by the company. We utilize Oisix's unique strengths by using five or more...
Ito-Yokado launches new deli brand “York Deli”.
Ito-Yokado launches "York Deli," unifying its deli section, enhancing product quality, and aiming for 100% original items by 2025, with plans to increase sales and customer numbers On May 22, Ito-Yokado announced the launch of its new deli brand "York Deli." Previously, the deli section featured...
Ministop follows Seven-Eleven’s SIP! New grocery store-style stores with fresh food.
Specialized fast food at restaurant quality and a supermarket-like product lineup.Catering to the polarized needs of value-added and price-oriented consumers, as well as the convenience and stockpiling needs of customers. On May 20th, Ministop opened its flagship store, Kanda Nishikicho 1-chome,...
Seven-Eleven, Expansion Plan with Freshly Baked Bread – Targeting 3000 Stores by 2025
Seven-Eleven Japan is moving forward with a plan to rapidly expand stores offering freshly baked bread. The goal is to open approximately 3000 stores, five times the current number, by February 2025. This initiative aims to attract a younger customer base and increase store sales. By offering a...
Brown Rice innovation “Brown Rice Shred Cheese” and “Brown Rice Yogurt”
Seven-Eleven Japan is moving forward with a plan to rapidly expand stores offering freshly baked bread. The goal is to open approximately 3000 stores, five times the current number, by February 2025. This initiative aims to attract a younger customer base and increase store sales. By offering a...
Mackerel boiled in water with added protein
"THE PROTEIN SABA water boil" from Nobuta Canning (Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture) As part of the local revitalization "Choshi Dream Market Project," it collaborated with Choshi Commercial High School and Takeuchi Pharmaceutical (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo). It contains 6.4 grams of collagen protein per...
Building a Fanbase with Upcycled Food Products
There is a growing variety of "upcycled" foods that turn waste generated during food processing into valuable products. The company's approach has attracted sympathy and led to the creation of fans. Sakaeya Bakery (Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture), which makes bread and other products for school...
Beverage giant revitalizes “sluggish” green tea in spring to stem private brand customer outflow.
Major beverage companies are revamping their green teas. Almost all major famous brands such as Suntory Beverage & Food's "Iemon" and Coca-Cola Japan's "Ayataka" were renewed. Inexpensive private brands (PB) are selling at their best in the past five years, and sales at the major players are...
Kellogg’s Japan introduces a new way to use oatmeal: Healthier Onigiri (rice balls) made with oatmeal.
Kellogg's Japan is proposing a new way of consuming oatmeal to expand its market in Japan. From the "Oatmeal Rice" series, which can be eaten like rice, they will release "Soy Protein Oatmeal Rice" on February 12th, which allows you to intake protein that is often lacking. The soy protein is...
Japan Kellogg’s Whole Granola Series with the highest reduction of 70% in fat content
Introducing Japan Kellogg's Whole Granola Series with the highest reduction of 70% in fat content. The new product is available starting from Monday, March 25th. Supervised by the Head Chef of Hotel New Otani, we've achieved a 70% reduction in fat content without compromising on taste. In each 40g...