The Power of Retail

Japanese culture and lifestyle are the hottest trends this summer. Everything from movies to fashion, books to games is Japanese inspired. One of the summer’s highly anticipated movies Speed Racer, which is based on the anime from the 1960s. From racks and racks of manga comics at Barnes & Noble to Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku line of fashion, Japanese influences are everywhere to be found.

According to Roland Kelts, a professor at the University of Tokyo and auther of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the US, “I mean, [look at] the fact that sushi is available in mainstream supermarkets around the country; the fact that Japanese style, design and architecture are appearing in major cities around the country; [and] the popularity of manga and anime in bookstores and Wal-Mart and Target.”

According to Seiji Horibuchi, president and CEO of VIZ Pictures, “What I think is most appealing about Japanese culture is its amazing mixture of cuteness, coolness and playfulness. Playfulness can allow us to have generous curiosity, to cross borders between cultures, beliefs, genders, ages and so on. I think that’s the true beauty of Japanese culture.”

Where to get Japanese inspired items? FredFlare.com has a large range of items that are cute and Japanese products are a perfect fit for their store. The site carries items such as a spatula that looks like a frog and a pan that has a panda face on it, alongside accessories for crafts.

Popularity: 29% [?]