Business
Pick Up Stories
It’s all about cars at Car Beauty Pro S… [Business]
Most gas stations in Japan are far more than spots to fill up the tank. They have services that range from an oil change and other minor mai...Read More
Fashion Candy introduces new confectiona… [Business]
Fashion Candy, one of Okinawa’s best-known confectionary makers, especially for its “chinsuko” cookies, introduced Monday a new brand “Makuk...Read More
Okinawa FamilyMart thrives for local fla… [Business]
By Miki Shioda Okinawa FamilyMart prides itself as a community-based convenience store chain that has more than 300 shops throughout the pre...Read More
Shopping center, six businesses in Okinawa earn awards [Business]
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan named the Plaza House Shopping Center in Okinawa City for the top 30 Shopping Malls and Tenants National Award on May 25th. The...
Vanilla Air launches Naha – Taipei flights from Sep. 14 [Business]
Vanilla Air Inc., an LLC based in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, will launch flights connecting Naha and Taipei in Taiwan, on Sep 14, 2016. This is the first international route for Van...
Old Navy to withdraw from Japanese Market [Business]
U.S clothing retailer Gap, Inc., announced May 19th that it has decided to withdraw its Old Navy label from Japan and close all of its 53 Old Navy stores in the country by the end ...
Shuri Ryusen showcases Ryukyu handicraft traditions [Business]
Shuri Ryusen is a facility near Shuri Castle that has been in business since 1973. The facility is the leading purveyor of original Okinawa fabrics dyed to perfection with natural ...
High-speed ferry connects Ishigaki and Karen Ports [Business]
A high-speed ferry, Natchan Rera, made its first voyage to Ishigaki from Karen Port in Hualien, Taiwan, on May 14th. The Natchan Rera ferry is 112 meters long, 10,712 tons, and own...
Kin’s only currency exchange shop turns into bar on weekends [Business]
There are quite a few currency exchange shops in Okinawa City Chatan and Kadena areas, but an exchange called Good Rate is the only one located in Kin Town near Camp Hansen Gate 1 ...
USJ cancels plans for new theme park in Okinawa [Business]
The Universal Studios Japan Co., the operator of the USJ theme park in Osaka, officially reported to Okinawa Prefecture and Japanese government on Wednesday that is has cancelled t...
Korean Airlines starts direct flights to Okinawa [Business]
The Korean Airlines, the national flag carrier of South Korea, started regular flights between Naha and Seoul from May 6th. As a good omen for the future of the route, officials at...
Matsufuji and Danryu win Best Awamori Awards [Business]
The Japan International Alcohol Association announced May 6th the award winners for the Best Alcoholic Drinks in Spring 2016. Matsufuji Premium Blend from Sakiyama Distillery in Ki...
Okinawa Bank installs ATM in Naha Cruise Terminal [Business]
Okinawa Bank has installed an ATM to Naha Cruise Terminal at Naha Port that allows withdrawal of Japanese yen in cash using foreign credit and cash cards. The new ATM went on line ...
Synergy Square shopping center opens in Yomitan [Business]
A new shopping complex called Synergy Square has opened at the Owan district in Yomitan Village on Hwy 58 north of Kadena Circle. The complex officially opened on Apr. 27th. Curren...
Dinosaur Park opens in Nago [Business]
Dinosaur Park Yanbaru Subtropical Forest has opened in Nago just next to Okashi Goten Nago on May 3rd. The Dinosaur Park is operated by Okashi Goten that is a landmark Okinawan swe...
Ryukyu Bank to offer Yen withdrawals by foreign cards [Business]
In a move many visitors say is long overdue, the Bank of the Ryukyus will start offering yen cash withdrawals from its ATMs by Visa, Master and China UnionPay credit cards, cash ca...
Number of visitors in 2015 mark new record [Business]
The Okinawa Prefecture Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports have announced official numbers of visitors to the prefecture. According to the figures, a total of 7,936,300 peopl...
Shiqwasa Park opens at Ogimi Village [Business]
Ogimi Village, the largest producer of Okinawan shiqwasa citrus fruit, now has a park dedicated to the fruit. The Ogimi Shiqwasa Park opened in the Tsuha district of Ogimi village ...
Tour provides visitors taste of Oki family life [Business]
A Taiwanese tour company Shonsu is selling a travel package that offers tourists accommodations with a local Okinawan family in Nakijin Village. According to Shonsu, the visitors w...
OCVB opens international business match web page [Business]
Conjunction of Okinawa prefecture and Okinawa Convention Bureau has opened a new website aiming to match Okinawan tourism-related companies to their foreign counterparts. Okinawan ...
Miyako logs over 510,000 visitors in 2015, most ever [Business]
Miyakojima City tourism officials announced that the number of tourists visiting Miyako Island in 2015 reached 513,601, which is the highest ever on record for the city. The number...
Women-only coin laundry shop opens in Naha [Business]
Sekaie Co., an operator of restaurants and service businesses, opened Okinawa’s first women-only coin laundry on Apr. 5th. Named ‘i-Laundry,’ the new store is located in Tabaru, Na...
Is investing in Japan Post Office smart move? [Business]
By David Higgins If you ever need to start a bank account in Japan, one of the most convenient places to do this is the Japan Post Office. The Japan Post Office is a Jack-of-all-tr...