Japan Digital Marketing Insights

– Facts and tips of digital marketing and business in Japan by a leading digital marketing agency, Mahana Corporation

  • The Enduring Charm of Print in Travel

    The Enduring Charm of Print in Travel

    With smartphones nearing ubiquitous adoption in Japan, virtually all travel-related needs—from vehicle schedules and hotel reservations to maps, sightseeing guides, restaurant and shopping details, and even translations—can be conveniently managed on these devices. In many instances, both ticketing and payments can be seamlessly executed on a smartphone. The notable exception in the realm of travel

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  • Delivering a Trivial Item – Now and Then

    Delivering a Trivial Item – Now and Then

    Yesterday, witnessing a delivery person dropping off a file at the neighboring office triggered a memory of an old comedy sketch I used to enjoy. The bit featured a greengrocer cheerfully announcing, “Hello! I’m a greengrocer! I’m here to deliver your order! Today I have one onion for you!” It humorously questioned the practicality of

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  • Time Traditions and Hidden Financial Impact

    Time Traditions and Hidden Financial Impact

    The convention of starting breaks at noon and salary payments on the 25th of each month is widely observed, particularly in larger corporations in Japan. It’s a norm that many of us accept without much thought. However, the practical implications of these seemingly arbitrary timings can be surprisingly significant. For instance, a long queue is

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  • DX-Navigating the Gap Between Ideal and Reality

    DX-Navigating the Gap Between Ideal and Reality

    At a recent event, we had the opportunity to listen to a compelling lecture by a famous Japanese entrepreneur Mr. Horie, often referred to as “Horiemon,” which I’m eager to share insights from. The focal point of his talk was the digital transformation (DX) journey, and he immediately set the tone with a provocative statement:

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  • What is “Black Hat SEO”?

    What is “Black Hat SEO”?

    In English, the term “black hat” typically connotes a villain or wrongdoer, a usage that traces its origins to old Western films where heroes wore white hats and villains donned black ones. In the contemporary landscape of IT and the internet, “black hat” is frequently associated with hackers who engage in unauthorized intrusion into computers

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  • AI Revolutionizes Maintenance: From Data Centers to Air Conditioners

    AI Revolutionizes Maintenance: From Data Centers to Air Conditioners

    The announcement that Sakura Internet, a prominent Japanese webserver hosting firm, will employ artificial intelligence (AI) for data center inspections has captured widespread attention, significantly boosting its stock price in the process. In a related development, an AI specialist we spoke with recently shared insights into a similar application of AI within his organization. They

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  • Common Pitfalls in SNS Marketing

    Common Pitfalls in SNS Marketing

    The comparison of Japan Airlines’ (JAL) and All Nippon Airways’ (ANA) Instagram accounts has recently sparked considerable interest on the web. Curious, we took a look ourselves, and the observations many have made are spot on. JAL’s Instagram feed is a visual journey, showcasing stunning landscapes from across Japan and beyond. The images are captivating

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  • Japan’s Hesitation Towards Recurrent Education

    Japan’s Hesitation Towards Recurrent Education

    The concept of “recurrent education,” surprisingly, has not gained widespread recognition in Japan. This term refers to the ongoing process of education that individuals engage in throughout their lives, even after entering the workforce. In Japan, this often takes the form of continuing education without taking time off from work, commonly known as “relearning for

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  • Targeting the Future -The Revolution of Personalized Marketing

    Targeting the Future -The Revolution of Personalized Marketing

    Let’s talk a bit about the evolution of marketing strategies. In the past, traditional advertising cast a wide net, often not specifying a target audience. This approach was evident in mediums like street billboards, TV commercials, and print ads in newspapers and magazines. While there was some level of targeting—like selecting late-night TV slots or

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  • Negative Comments Come First. Ignore.

    Negative Comments Come First. Ignore.

    Yesterday, we came across a story where a famous critic slammed ChatGPT. ” Sentences generated with ChatGPT not only have many errors, but may also have statements that are false or even untrue.” This is probably true. We’ve seen it a few times too. And the critic’s final remark was, “That’s why it’s useless.” It’s

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  • The Misadventures of Misaligned Sales Pitches

    The Misadventures of Misaligned Sales Pitches

    The crux of the matter is the often stark difference between what one intends to communicate and what the listener is interested in or wishes to hear. This discrepancy can be quite significant. Take, for instance, the scenario of a car salesman with an engineering background. He might be keen to delve into the sophisticated

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  • Japan’s Slide in Global Digital Rankings

    Japan’s Slide in Global Digital Rankings

    According to the 2023 edition of the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, which was evaluated based on “knowledge,” “technology,” and “preparation for the future,” announced by IMD (a famous business school in Switzerland), Japan fell in the ranking for the second consecutive year, ranked at 32nd. There are more than 200 countries in the world, and

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  • Zombie Companies Increase

    Zombie Companies Increase

    Teikoku Databank announced today that the number of companies that are unable to pay their interest out of their core business profits and are extending their lives by asking financial institutions to change terms or receiving government support, so-called “zombie companies”, has rapidly increased to 250,000, approaching the all-time high. This is probably because excessive

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  • Analyzing a Small Website

    Analyzing a Small Website

    This is true not only for websites but for all types of data analysis. It goes without saying that unless the research target is large enough, the reliability of the data analysis results will be very low. For example, it would not be professional to conclude that “this is what Americans think” or “this is

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  • Hidden Risk In Contracting a Server

    Hidden Risk In Contracting a Server

    In order to have your own website, you need to install a large system “web server”. Some large companies have this in-house, while over 90% of companies contract with an external server company to rent it. This is called a “rental server”. It is necessary not only for the website but also for sending and

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