Japan’s oldest and largest pharmaceutical company chose open innovation as a tool to compete in the race to increase R&D productivity
Japan
Super Mario, Zelda, and a Broken Supply Chain
On March 3, 2017, Nintendo released Switch, an innovative video game system that provided both mobile and living-room gaming access [1]. Video: Nintendo Switch [2] Only weeks after the release, Switch was out of stock at most retailers [3]. Nintendo cited […]
TEPCO: A quiet emergence of Smart-Grid in Japan (Digitization)
Japan's leading utility, TEPCO has been quietly installing cutting-edge technologies in its energy grids as the world moves towards the new levels of interconnectedness. This essay looks at the energy grid as a supply chain network, and analyses the impact digitization as a major force of disruption.
Don’t take that sushi for granted: Nissui’s battle with the changing ocean
As climate change directly impacts fisheries in Japan, companies test “Koritsuka” fish farming, and global expansion.
An Inconvenient Trout: Nissui’s Approach to Climate Change
How leading a leading fishery based in the world’s fish-hungriest nation is coping with the impacts of a changing climate – and what more can be done.
“Eco Ship”: Future of Japanese Shipbuilding Industry
International regulation on ship’s emission, which is tightened year by year, brings huge opportunities to shipbuilding industry. In August 2016, four large Japanese shipbuilding companies announced they had started discussing operational cooperation for "Eco Ship" business.
Nitori: 28 years consecutive profit increase
Nitori, the largest furniture company, has recorded 26 years consecutive increase in its operating profit. Its operating model has supported the low-price strategy and the proposed concept of “Total Coordination”.
View from the top – How has OMOTENASHI been performed in the sky?
Omotenashi, a word famously used by Christel Takigawa during her final presentation for a bid for Tokyo Olympics 2020, means the hospitality in Japanese. All Nippon Airways has always emphasized the importance of the hospitality for its success.
Shimano – Dominating the bicycle components market
With its innovative R&D and operating model, Shimano dominates the global market share in bicycle components.