Pokemon Go's Scopely on the hunt in Japan for gaming M&As
KAZUYUKI OKUDAIRA
TOKYO -- Fresh off its acquisition of Pokemon Go's Niantic, U.S. gaming giant Scopely is looking to grow its relations with Japanese peers with lucrative intellectual property (IP) franchises.
In an interview with Nikkei, Scopely co-CEOs Walter Driver and Javier Ferreira described their plans to increase investment in Pokemon Go and other games and to expand the company's presence in Japan, possibly through additional mergers and acquisitions.
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Japan Today
an hour ago
- Japan Today
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto to open in spring 2026
Imperial Hotel, Japan's premier luxury hospitality brand, has announced the upcoming opening of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto in spring 2026. This distinguished 55-room, seven-story boutique hotel represents a bold fusion of historic preservation and modern elegance, centered around the revitalization of the Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered tangible cultural property. Originally built in 1936 by renowned architect Tokusaburo Kimura, the Yasaka Kaikan has long served as a cultural gathering place in Kyoto's historic Gion district. Once a venue for theatrical performances, the building faced seismic vulnerabilities that threatened its future. Now, through a meticulous conservation strategy, it is being reborn as a beacon of sustainable luxury and cultural continuity. 'This is a unique property where over a millennium of Kyoto's elegant cultural heritage enfolds the 135-year legacy of hospitality Imperial Hotel has carefully cultivated,' said Reiko Sakata, General Manager of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto. 'With respect for the rich history of this location, my mission is to ensure a stay that is not only exceptional in quality but also leaves a lasting warmth in the hearts of our guests.' Recently appointed as General Manager of the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto in April 2025, Sakata has been with Imperial Hotel for 22 years. The transformation, led by Obayashi Corporation, the same Japanese construction company that built the Yasaka Kaikan nearly 90 years ago in 1936, preserves much of the building's original character. Notably, 16,387 original exterior tiles have been retained, and traditional Japanese techniques such as ikedori or 'live capture', where materials are carefully removed without damage for reuse, have been honored throughout the design. The hotel's construction team has also engaged in local community clean-up efforts, reinforcing a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration. The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is more than a renovation—it is a story of respectful revitalization. The hotel adheres to strict height and design regulations, supports local artisans, and promotes immersive cultural experiences. It aims to contribute to Kyoto's tourism growth while mitigating environmental strain and overcrowding through sustainable practices. The Yasaka Kaikan also shares a unique historical link with the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Both buildings feature terracotta from Tokoname, and artisans who worked on Wright's Tokyo masterpiece also contributed to the Yasaka Kaikan — highlighting a rich architectural lineage. Upon completion, the Imperial Hotel, Kyoto will offer 55 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites, refined dining experiences, a signature bar, and a full suite of wellness amenities—including a spa, swimming pool, and fitness center. As the fourth property in the esteemed Imperial Hotel portfolio—following Tokyo, Osaka, and Kamikochi — this marks the brand's first new opening in three decades, reaffirming its enduring commitment to welcoming guests to Japan with unmatched grace and cultural depth. The property is set for completion by October 2025 with a scheduled opening in Spring 2026. Source: Imperial Hotel © Japan Today
Japan Today
2 hours ago
- Japan Today
Legendary pie shop Anna Miller's is returning to Tokyo, bringing iconic waitress uniforms with it
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 August 31, 2022 was a sad day for sweets fans in Japan. It was on that day that Anna Miller's, one of Japan's first pie specialty restaurants, closed its Takanawa branch in Tokyo, which was its last location in Japan. Anna Miller's started out in Hawaii, but in 1973 Japanese confectionary company Imuraya struck a deal to bring the chain to Japan. At its peak, Anna Miller's had 25 restaurants in the Tokyo area, with the Takanawa branch, located just outside of Tokyo's Shinagawa Station, becoming a local landmark. Alas, a Takanawa redevelopment project forced Anna Miller's and the other tenants out of the building. ▼ When news broke that the Takanawa Anna Miller's was closing, huge lines of fans going back for one last slice of pie stated forming (this photo was taken roughly 10 weeks before the shutdown). Image: SoraNews24 Since then, Anna Miller's has existed only as an online-sales bakery that very occasionally has very brief pop-up shop events. So great rejoicing met Imuraya's announcement that Tokyo will once again have a permanent Anna Miller's restaurant, and it'll be open before the year is over. Image: PR Times For its comeback, Anna Miller's is returning to its Tokyo roots. The new branch will be located in Tokyo's Minami Aoyama, the same section of the city where the first in-Japan Anna Miller's opened in 1973. ▼ The original Minami Aoyama Anna Miller's Image: PR Times ▼ An Anna Miller's pie Image: SoraNews24 The new branch will occupy the first and second floors of the Seizan II building, a one-minute walk away from Gaienmae Station on the Tokyo Metro's Ginza Line. In addition to a takeout counter for those ordering pie to-go, there will be approximately 30 seats for eat-in customers. Its pies and American-style entrees aren't the only things Anna Miller's is famous for, however. The restaurant's iconic jumper dress-esque uniforms hold an iconic status within Japanese pop culture, and it's likely for that reason that Imuraya makes a special mention of them within the reopening announcement, saying that the distinctive outfits will be returning as well, and sure enough, they can be seen in the preview images. Image: PR Times The new Anna Miller's is slated to open in early December. Source: Imuraya via Sankei Shimbun Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Legendary pie shop Anna Miller's returns to Tokyo with station popup shop【Taste test】 -- End of the line for Japan's absolute favorite waitress uniform and one of its favorite pie places -- Anna Miller's announces closure, immediately becomes Tokyo's top must-visit cafe External Link © SoraNews24
Yomiuri Shimbun
3 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Southwest Japan's Callenges: Signs of Growth / Fisheries Industry Seeks Growth Overseas to Counter Declining Domestic Demand; Aquaculture, Quality Control Key Avenues
This is the fourth installment in a series of articles taking an in-depth look at industries with growth potential in Kyushu as well as Yamaguchi and Okinawa prefectures. *** Local customers enjoyed a multicourse meal in late April at the Guenpin Singapore fugu puffer fish restaurant located in a business area of Singapore. The meal included sashimi and hot pot of the fish, which was shipped from Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. 'Japanese puffer fish is delicious. I also like the fish's milt,' said Wayne Chua,42-year-old Singaporean customer who works at a nearby insurance company. 'Eating puffer fish after a busy day at work gives me energy.' Puffer fish is a popular premium fish in Japan. Overseas, however, the fish is often perceived as poisonous and dangerous, so it has low recognition. Since 2022, in addition to the meat of Japanese puffer fish, Singapore has allowed the import of all other edible parts of the fish, including milt and skin, but only from farmed puffer fish. Previously, most customers at the restaurant were local Japanese corporate expatriates. However, local Singaporeans account for 60%-70% of all customers recently. 'I think things are going well,' said Kumiko Yamaguchi, the 53-year-old president of Osaka Prefecture-based Kanmonkai Co., which operates the restaurant, On the day, Fukutaro Yoshida visited the restaurant. Yoshida, 47, is the chief executive officer of Yoshida Suisan Co., a Shimonoseki-based company that supplies wild-caught and farmed puffer fish to the restaurant. Yoshida himself cooked in the restaurant's kitchen. 'There is significant potential for the consumption of puffer fish to grow in Singapore,' Yoshida said. 'We aim to pioneer overseas expansion.' However, expanding puffer fish export destinations is a challenge. According to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, many countries, excluding those in East Asia such as Japan, China and South Korea, do not have a tradition of eating fugu puffer fish. Its distribution is banned in the European Union, Britain, Vietnam and Taiwan, among other nations and regions. In this context, Yamaguchi Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka in December last year requested Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to lift the import ban on puffer fish. The prime minister expressed his intention to begin considering the matter. Also, authorities in Taiwan have shown interest as a result of having been repeatedly contacted by interests in the prefecture, leading to the start of bilateral discussions. There are also developments outside Yamaguchi Prefecture. In April, the Kinashi Fugu Kyushu Headquarter Corp. in Usuki, Oita Prefecture, which processes and wholesales puffer fish, participated in a business event in Singapore. Usuki faces the Bungo Strait, which is known as a good fishing ground for tiger puffer. 'Some restaurants told me that they wanted to try puffer fish,' said Momoko Kinashi, the 38-year-old director of the company. 'I felt positive about their response.' Declining domestic consumption Seafood consumption in Japan is on the decline due to factors such as a declining population and a changing food culture. According to statistics from the ministry, the estimated consumption per person in fiscal 2023 was 21.4 kilograms, which is half of the peak of 40.2 kilograms in fiscal 2001. By contrast, overseas consumption is growing because seafood is a source of high-quality protein. For Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefecture, both of which are surrounded by the sea and have thriving fishing businesses, exports are a key factor in the growth of the firms. According to the ministry, the output value of marine fisheries and aquaculture in Kyushu was about ¥350 billion in 2023, accounting for about 25% of the national total. Nagasaki Prefecture ranked second in the country, and Kagoshima Prefecture ranked fifth, indicating Kyushu's high potential. Regarding puffer fish, Tetsuya Ito of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Singapore representative office said: 'Milt has a rich flavor and texture and particularly meets local people's preferences, so I think there is room for consumption to grow. This is a good business opportunity for Japan.' Emphasis on food safety Employees of Global Ocean Works Group, which farms and processes buri yellowtail, dexterously fileted fish into three pieces early in the morning in late April at a processing plant overlooking Kinko Bay and Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture.'To maintain the good flavor of the fish, we use water and machinery as little as possible,' said a plant manager. 'Instead, we focus on skilled manual labor.' Yellowtail, which is rich in fat, is also known as 'hamachi' in the United States and is as popular as salmon. Global Ocean Works Co., a core company of the group, was founded in 2009 by Yuji Masunaga, 56, the chief executive officer of the company. He previously worked at another fisheries company and started the firm with the goal of 'reforming the fisheries industry.' He has made full use of his network to expand exports to the United States and create new opportunities. The company focuses on ensuring quality by integrating all processes, from farming to processing and distribution. The company was the first in the trade to obtain an international certification. While most companies have one or two workers in their quality control department, it has 10. Global Ocean Works Co. established a produce traceability system that can track not only the date each fish was caught but also which fish pond it came from and what it was fed. This approach is essential for exporting to overseas markets that prioritize food safety, and it has become a driving force for the company's business expansion. In only 15 years, the company has grown to having an annual sales volume of ¥30 billion. The group now employs about 300 people. Its yellowtail exports to the United States account for about 10% of the domestic total, the biggest share in the field. Concerns about international situations Farming is becoming the mainstream in the global fisheries business. According to the Fisheries Agency, global marine aquaculture production reached 71.75 million tons in 2022, which is less than the catch volume of 80.97 million tons. However, aquaculture production has increased 2.6-fold over the past 20 years. By contrast, the catch volume has slightly decreased during that period. In Kyushu, there is an increase in activities surrounding the export of farmed fish. One difficulty is that exports can be affected by international circumstances. The tariff policy of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration can deal a blow to companies exporting to the United States. Global Ocean Works has about a year's worth of stock in the United States and is not likely to be affected for the time being. However, the company is seeking to expand its export channels to other parts of the world and is considering launching sales in Europe on a trial basis. 'If we cannot adapt to the changing market conditions, we will simply sink,' said Masunaga of Global Ocean Works. 'If we can adapt, the fisheries industry is undoubtedly a profitable growth industry.'
