Forget hot or not, Japan wants you to consider it cool.
I hadn't heard about this initiative, but back in early January 2011, the Japanese government—specifically the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (aka METI)—has implemented a new business strategy called 'Cool Japan' in an effort to promote the export of some of its culture.
Cultural items to be promoted, include: animation, fashion and food. Some of the initiatives undertaken feature limited-time satellite shops introducing Japanese sake (rice wine) and foods in partnership with local distributors to help stimulate Japanese exports for small and medium-sized manufacturers, as well as arts and crafts persons to reach a Japan goal of ¥13-trillion (U.S./Cdn $160,000,000) in exports by 2020.
Cool Japan will use Japanese products, that it believes the world finds cool, like animation, movies and food products, and use them to drive global business and garner increased tourist traffic in Japan.
METI actually established the Cool Japan strategy back in June of 2010. It will eventually be headed by a Creative Industry Councilor later this year, which will in turn integrate all departments engaged in the fashion and content business.
A total of ¥1.4 billion (U.S./Cdn $1.4 million) has been allocated for the strategy in 2011 alone, and will be used in 10 selected businesses with selected target country/region.
The 10 selected businesses are:
Asia:
Southeast Asia:
Where the heck is Canada, the U.K., Australia et al? Obviously, Japan is shooting for the larger populated countries and areas first... and then will attempt to conquer the world later.
The Cool Japan strategy is composed of designers and creators, and small- and mid-sized companies who might have a difficult time starting a venture overseas due to a lack of funds or know-how.
METI wants to take such business owners and match them with overseas business owners to develop an export industry.
The strategy hopes to:
- Increase Japanese exports. METI estimates worldwide market size of fashion, food and content in 2020 will be ¥932 trillion (U.S./Cdn $932 million), and wants to achieve a market share of 1.4 per cent, equalling ¥13 billion (U.S./Cdn $13 million).
- Enhance Japan's image abroad. It wants to do what the U.K did under its Cool Britannia ( a nice pun on the old Rule Britannia song) strategy in the 1990s, and South Korea's plan regarding the promoting of its lifestyle through movies and TV dramas to Asian countries, that led to an increase in exports of its consumer electronics and clothing.
While not directly related to the Cool Japan strategy, I have found, for your edification, a website promoting Cool Japan, that takesd the views and opinions of gaijin (foreigners) who are experiencing their first six months or less in Japan, promoting what they find cool about the country. Have a lookie-loo: HERE.
Somewhere chilling - why is the A/C so cold?!,
Andrew Joseph
I hadn't heard about this initiative, but back in early January 2011, the Japanese government—specifically the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (aka METI)—has implemented a new business strategy called 'Cool Japan' in an effort to promote the export of some of its culture.
Cultural items to be promoted, include: animation, fashion and food. Some of the initiatives undertaken feature limited-time satellite shops introducing Japanese sake (rice wine) and foods in partnership with local distributors to help stimulate Japanese exports for small and medium-sized manufacturers, as well as arts and crafts persons to reach a Japan goal of ¥13-trillion (U.S./Cdn $160,000,000) in exports by 2020.
Cool Japan will use Japanese products, that it believes the world finds cool, like animation, movies and food products, and use them to drive global business and garner increased tourist traffic in Japan.
METI actually established the Cool Japan strategy back in June of 2010. It will eventually be headed by a Creative Industry Councilor later this year, which will in turn integrate all departments engaged in the fashion and content business.
A total of ¥1.4 billion (U.S./Cdn $1.4 million) has been allocated for the strategy in 2011 alone, and will be used in 10 selected businesses with selected target country/region.
The 10 selected businesses are:
Asia:
- Business & Food: Introduce Japanese food and culture and sell goods, alcohol beverages, food and more.
- Housing: Sell housing, environmentally-friendly electronics, furniture, et al.
- Fashion & Household Goods: Collaborate with shopping malls targeting the rich folk.
- Content: Leverage Japan & China by co-hosting events such as of movies.
Southeast Asia:
- Japan Regional Traditional Products: Branding of Japan regional traditional goods.
- Fashion, Household Goods: Export Harajuku Brand targeting the young.
- Fashion: Collaborate with local fashion media.
- Food: Establish Japanese food and alcoholic drinks.
- Content: Export content leveraging animation and 3D technologies to Hollywood.
- Content, Consumer Electronics: Proliferate televisions and One Seg mobiles (it's television broadcasting for mobiles) leveraging animation at the timing of FIFA and Olympics.
Where the heck is Canada, the U.K., Australia et al? Obviously, Japan is shooting for the larger populated countries and areas first... and then will attempt to conquer the world later.
The Cool Japan strategy is composed of designers and creators, and small- and mid-sized companies who might have a difficult time starting a venture overseas due to a lack of funds or know-how.
METI wants to take such business owners and match them with overseas business owners to develop an export industry.
The strategy hopes to:
- Increase Japanese exports. METI estimates worldwide market size of fashion, food and content in 2020 will be ¥932 trillion (U.S./Cdn $932 million), and wants to achieve a market share of 1.4 per cent, equalling ¥13 billion (U.S./Cdn $13 million).
- Enhance Japan's image abroad. It wants to do what the U.K did under its Cool Britannia ( a nice pun on the old Rule Britannia song) strategy in the 1990s, and South Korea's plan regarding the promoting of its lifestyle through movies and TV dramas to Asian countries, that led to an increase in exports of its consumer electronics and clothing.
While not directly related to the Cool Japan strategy, I have found, for your edification, a website promoting Cool Japan, that takesd the views and opinions of gaijin (foreigners) who are experiencing their first six months or less in Japan, promoting what they find cool about the country. Have a lookie-loo: HERE.
Somewhere chilling - why is the A/C so cold?!,
Andrew Joseph
