More Japanese companies looking overseas

Article in morning Nikkei on Japanese beer companies looking to boost overseas sales. Suntory aiming for 70% increase in 2006 vs. 2002, with Kirin and Asahi aiming for a more modest 10%. Greying population and diversifying consumer tastes mean the domestic market is starting to peak out; beer companies will aim at generating demand in growing markets in Asia, particularly China.

zakzak.co.jp is also reporting on convenience store chain FamilyMart's plan to open 200 stores in the US by 2007. This was reported by one of the broadsheets several weeks ago, and at the time I had chalked it up as another example of the improving economy; now, however, I'm not sure it's that simple. Both FamilyMart and the beer companies are citing the difficulty of expanding share in Japan as one of the key reasons for looking overseas. In FamilyMart's case, the company sees an opportunity in that its model of selling fresh produce as well as processed cack at urban store locations is (apparently) not found in the US, where fresh foods are mostly sold at more out-of-town supermarkets. Or so it claims.

FamilyMart also plans to purchase the Rockefeller building to use as its US headquarters. No, I'm kidding.