japan
Page 42
Asia
The King of Bhutan's dashing way with national dress, Korea's scheme to produce more babies, and Japan's downsized family meals.
Showering dressing
April brings wardrobe challenges. For the best in rainwear, tailoring and knitwear, Monocle heads to the streets and cosy shelters of Hayama, one hour south of Tokyo.
Speed merchant
Tadashi Yanai, president of Fast Retailing and the richest man in Japan, is expanding his Uniqlo empire. Following record sales, he is taking his low-cost chain to Paris and Singapore.
Asia
North Korea's election (no great surprises expected), Malaysia's big river clean-up, and mixed feelings over Tokyo's plans to spruce up the Kabukicho district
Architecture/design
Japanese architect Yasuhiro Yamashita talks us through his aluminium housing project, plus a new landmark in Ljubljana and the traditional Japanese washi paper finding new markets.
Paper weight
We peruse the ‘Yomiuri Shimbun’, Japan’s daily paper with the world's biggest circulation. As part of our series on success, we look at its business, from newspapers to baseball teams and department stores.
Light bulb moment
Formerly a light bulb manufacturer, Shotoku began making hand-blown glassware in the 1950s. Today its ultra-thin Usuhari glasses are the toast of the town. And it still continues to innovate.
Inventory no.22
Additions to our desks, shelves and cupboards include a Japanese wooden cutlery set for children, a perfect pencil case and a Spanish pencil sharpener fashioned with military precision.
Home rescue
Appalled by the demolition of traditional houses in Japan’s Saga prefecture, New York restaurateur Mikio Shinagawa set about saving and restoring them, even selling one to Robert De Niro.
