Ginza: May 12, 2012

We find Japan’s new business and consumption trends every time we visit Ginza, Tokyo’s most famous shopping center.

Shops were holding Mother’s Day special sales. People were enjoying shopping and walking in the early-summer weather.



I visited Uniclo’s new store, which opened in mid March. It is the largest of the company’s about 1100 stores in the world (and about 850 in Japan).

The store is 12-story high. They have floors for women, men and kids. Some floors were used for new type of T shirts and for cool-biz goods.


The shop was crowded. Chinese, Korean and other foreign languages were heard there. The shop is becoming a must-visit place for Asian tourists to Japan, according to some tourist guidebook.

The messages in the electronic display boards were and eye-catching and strong. I felt a sense of speed (unlike other old Japanese companies) in the store.


The changes of luxury brand stores such as Hermes, LOUIS VUITTON and Giorgio Armani are rapid (both in opening/closing and the shop’s renovation). Some stores were different from their appearance three months before.

Special event was held to support Tohoku district, which was hit by earthquake and nuclear disaster last year. 14 months have passed since 3.11, 2011.