Category: News
Thrift Ban at Jakarta’s Pasar Senen: Implications for Indonesia’s Apparel Market
The Pasar Senen Thrift Ban In late October 2025, Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa announced plans to revamp Jakarta’s Pasar Senen, one of the country’s largest hubs for imported secondhand clothing. The policy aims to replace thrifted goods with locally made apparel, part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance
Forever 21 Exits Japan for the Third Time
Forever 21 Japan faced its third exit. So few Japanese consumers remember the brand that some didn’t even know it existed locally. Even some YouTube commenters joked that the brand should return just to “exit 18 more times” to match its name. One shopper recalled buying a denim jacket, only to find out later that
From Niche to Mainstream: How Singapore Businesses Are Riding the Anime Boom
Anime Boom After COVID-19 Post-COVID, anime in Singapore has moved from niche fandom to a mainstream cultural phenomenon. Hits like Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen, along with the return of cosplay conventions and festivals, have shown that anime is now part of everyday conversation and entertainment. Changing Customer Behavior The anime audience in Singapore has
Why Toyota Indonesia succeeded as an Export Powerhouse
Toyota: From Japan, now a Powerhouse in Indonesia Toyota Indonesia recently received an award from the Ministry of Trade after surpassing 3 million cumulative car exports, with 218,162 units exported between January and September 2025 alone. During this period, SUVs accounted for around 36% of total exports, MPVs 35%, compact models 22%, and electrified vehicles,
Smart Elderly Care Spending: How Businesses Can Help Seniors Avoid Wasteful Costs
As people age, planning for elderly care becomes increasingly important. With aging populations worldwide, making informed decisions about when and how to invest in home modifications, long-term care, or assisted living can protect retirement funds and maintain quality of life. Across the globe, seniors face rising care costs while governments struggle to sustain long-term care
From Singapore to Southeast Asia: Singaporean F&B Brands and the Overseas Expansion Imperative
Singaporean F&B brands overseas are not something new. The industry has long been a hub of culinary innovation. In the early 2010s, the sector benefited from relatively manageable rental rates, an enthusiastic consumer base, and a favorable environment for new dining concepts. However, over the past decade, rising costs, tighter labor regulations, and a saturated
Asahi Cyberattack Highlights Supply Chain and Operational Risks for F&B Sector
The recent Asahi Cyberattack is a strong warning on why Cybersecurity is important and is not limited to just IT servers. On September 29, 2025, Asahi Group Holdings, Japan’s largest brewer and a major global beverage company, announced a system failure caused by a cyberattack, affecting its operations in Japan. The company suspended order and
Japan Business Manager Visa Updates: What Foreign Entrepreneurs Need to Know
In early August 2025, Japan announced that the Business Manager Visa requirements will tighten from October 2025. These amendments aim to attract more substantial and sustainable foreign investments by raising the bar for entry. Who Will Qualify Under the New Rules? Established Entrepreneurs: Individuals with a master’s degree or equivalent experience in business management. Well-Capitalized
How to Survive as an F&B owner in Singapore in 2025
Seemingly surviving as an F&B owner in Singapore in 2025 is very challenging. Rising rents, manpower shortages, and shifts in consumer spending have put traditional restaurants and cafes under immense pressure. Many established outlets have closed, while smaller, home-based F&B ventures continue to grow. Yet, opportunities remain for entrepreneurs who understand the market, adapt to
How Typhoon Ragasa Exposed Supply Chain Fragility—And How to Protect Your Business
When Super Typhoon Ragasa tore through Asia in September 2025, it didn’t just bring devastating winds beyond 200 km/h—it exposed how fragile global supply chains really are. The Devastating Typhoon Ragasa The typhoon slammed into the Philippines, forcing closures across 29 provinces and killing 3 people. It ravaged Taiwan, where a barrier lake overflow in
