The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed an investment agreement with Openspace Ventures IV, L.P. on September 10. Investment Partners Openspace Ventures IV, L.P. Country (region covered) Southeast Asia Region Capital contribution 20 million U.S. dollars Project Name Emerging Company Growth Support Investment Business Business Objectives This project aims to improve access to finance for…
Author: Editor in Chief
Introduced Green Car on JR Chuo Line Rapid and Ome Line; trial period without separate fare started on October 13.
JR East announced that green car service will begin on the Chuo Line Rapid and Ome Line in spring 2025, with two double-decker green cars connected to provide comfortable travel space in various directions in the Tokyo metropolitan area, centering on Tokyo Station. The new trains will be all trains operated by E233 series trains…
MARY QUANT launches “Pocket Plus,” a multi-pochette for adults. Two sizes, large and small, for fall travel and office use.
Blooming Nakanishi released a multi-pochette “Pocket Plus” from the brand MARY QUANT. It will be carried at the directly-managed online store “Handkerchief Gallery” and at some department stores nationwide. Available in two sizes (large and small) and four colors (black and gray), the small size costs 3,630 yen and the large size 3,850 yen. Each…
Marunouchi Oazo, directly connected to Tokyo Station, renewed on its 20th anniversary. Ace/Garmin, etc. 6 stores open.
Mitsubishi Estate, Mitsubishi Estate Property Management, and Nippon Life Insurance are undertaking a large-scale renovation of the Marunouchi Oazo (1-6-4 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) A-area retail facility, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary on September 14. Three stores opened in July, and three more are scheduled to open through the spring of 2025. The first floor…
JR West and Shiga Prefecture offer “WESTER points” to elderly drivers who voluntarily return their driver’s license. Present your ICOCA to receive points.
JR West and Shiga Prefecture will launch a voluntary return support program to support elderly drivers who are concerned about driving to return their driver’s licenses. From September 15 to February 28, 2025, 1,500 WESTER points (for recharge only) will be awarded to residents aged 75 or older in Shiga Prefecture who have returned their…
New Balance Shinsaibashi, one of the largest stores in western Japan, opens on September 27. Limited edition badges will be given away with apparel purchases.
New Balance Japan will open its official store “New Balance Shinsaibashi” (Maring Shinsaibashi Building, 1-4-18 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka) on September 27. The store, one of the largest in western Japan with three floors above ground and one basement floor, is designed with a community circle in the center, placing people, not products, at the…
Strange Hotel collaborates with Morinaga Seika “Choco Balls”. Accommodation plan with souvenirs in Kyoro-chan decorated rooms.
H.I.S. Hotel Holdings has launched “Choco Ball Room” accommodation plans at 12 “Weird Hotels” and Watermark Hotel Kyoto. Rates start at 25,000 yen for a one-night stay with no meal and 26,500 yen with breakfast. The guest rooms collaborated with Morinaga Seika’s “Choco Balls” and are decorated with the character “Kyoro-chan” from the walls to…
CASETiFY launches impact-resistant case/phone shoulder/carabiner for the latest “iPhone 16” series.
CASETiFY, which develops smartphone cases and other products, released its latest collection for the iPhone 16 series on September 10. The lineup includes the Ultra Bounce Case, which can withstand a drop from a height of 10 meters, the Bounce Case, which offers superior strength for everyday protection, and the Bounce Odyssey Band, whose robust…
Tokyo Disney Resort Special Parade adds cities to visit in October. Mickey and his friends will come to Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture!
Tokyo Disney Resort has announced new cities to visit for the Tokyo Disney Resort Special Parade, which will take part in festival parades throughout Japan. They will appear at the “27th Sendai Michinoku YOSAKOI Festival” in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture on October 13. The time is scheduled to be around 10:00 a.m. The parade will take…
Chochin x Solar LED Light “ANCOH-ANCOH”, foldable to 2.7cm thick for outdoor use
Goemon is selling the LED-lit lantern “ANCOH-ANCOH-“, which can be used outdoors, on Make (Macauke) for pre-order. The sales period ends November 29, with delivery scheduled for the end of May 2025. The company is offering an early-bird discount of 20% (38,800 yen) off the regular price of 48,500 yen. It is available in three…