by yk_service | Apr 5, 2020 | Shanghai
In the past few years, Chinese nationalism and pride have grown to such an extent that many domestic brands are now perceived to be on a par with foreign ones. This is a significant shift versus a decade ago when Chinese consumers were reluctant to purchase anything...
by yk_service | Mar 18, 2020 | Tokyo
During a visit to Daikin’s Innovation Centre in Osaka, I came across a beautiful, brown, wood-effect air-conditioning unit from the 1960s or 70s (I am too young to tell the difference, more of which later). Upon my suggestion to the Innovation Director that a relaunch...
by yk_service | Feb 6, 2020 | Tokyo
In the early 18th century, Tokyo became the largest city on the planet. Since then, Japan has been a country of urban sprawl, with an exaggerated scarcity of space, time and resources. In consequence, and long before the advent of Marie Kondo, clutter has defined its...
by yk_service | Dec 10, 2019 | Tokyo, Volume 1
A number of years ago, I found myself celebrating Christmas in the depths of Kyoto’s red-light district. The club was a time capsule of the bright and brash 1980s, albeit sparingly decorated in 100 yen store-bought tinsel, draped over the neon lights. Amidst the flash...
