Do you know “Sakura”? It is “cherry blossom” in English and one of the most loved flowers in Japan. Every year, around late Mar. to early Apr, cherry blossoms bloom all around Japan. Japanese people enjoy “Hanami” which is the centuries-old practice of picnicking under a blooming cherry blossom trees. People put leisure mats all around the tree and enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms over eating and drinking with family or friends.

Famous viewing spots in central Tokyo : Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi, Meguro river, Aoyama Cemetery, Yoyogi Park

“Overview of Advertising Expenditures in Japan for 2017” by Dentsu’s annual report announced on Feb. 22, 2018.

The report says that Japan’s advertising expenditures for 2017 totaled 6,390.7 billion yen, an increase of 1.6% compared with the previous year’s figure. However, when you look at internet advertising market in Japan, the total expenditures for 2017 reached 1,509.4 billion yen, an increase of 15.2% thanks to the rapid growth of mobile performance-based ads and video ad market (double-digit growth for the fourth consecutive year). The food and beverage industries’ spending on internet adverting rose in 2017 and this could be one of the main reasons. Video ad market is expected to grow more in the future.

Source: http://www.dentsu.com/news/release/2018/0222-009475.html

CES 2018 known as one of the world biggest trade show for consumer electronics started on Jan.9, 2018 at Las Vegas, U.S.A. With 11 official venues, CES 2018 spans 75,000sqm of exhibit space and features 24 product categories and more than 20 Marketplaces. There are more than 3,900 exhibiting companies including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware and more from all over the world. From Japan, there are also many companies exhibiting in the show including Panasonic, TOYOTA and SONY. “e-Palette Concept, a new mobility service vehicle announced by TOYOTA was introduced by many Japanese publications.
https://www.ces.tech/

One of our customers, Nordic Semiconductor ASA also has a booth at CES (#44158/Sands A-D, Sands Exhibition Hall).

A new year, 2018 started.

Hope this year brings you lots of joy and happiness.

We arranged one one-on-one media interview for our customer the other day. They are planning to hold a media briefing for their new product launch within a few week time and this interview was an opportunity to meet the editor they have not met before to introduce their company and business. Visiting editors periodically to build a good and close-relationship with them is important for successful PR activities.