japanese-style

The first Japanese magazine was published in October 1867 by the scholar Shunzo Yanagawa. He named it Seiyo-Zasshi or Western Miscellany. That publication was 12 pages and was produced using traditional wood-block printing. The potential was huge then, as now. Taiyoo, a magazine published in 1900, had an enviable monthly circulation in excess of 300,000. Although, the printing technologies have changed since the publication of Seiyo-Zasshi, the place of magazines remains secure in Japanese culture. Japan publishes the second-most magazines titles in Asia: the fifth-most worldwide. Over three billion copies of monthly magazines are sold each month, while over two billion copies of weekly magazines are sold each week. These examples of recently added magazine titles continue that long tradition, while setting new standards. These are, indisputably, the most stylish, polished magazines currently available:

THE NIKKEI MAGAZINE was launched in March 2005 as a new type of monthly magazine targeted at core readers of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun residing in the Tokyo metropolitan area where the household expenditure level is exceptionally high. The magazine pursues themes that stimulate the intellectual curiosity of the Nikkei's readers who demand quality in all aspects of their lives. THE NIKKEI MAGAZINE distinguishes itself as a newspaper supplement with its bold graphic art by a well-known Japanese designer and impressive, informative content.

Elbert Hubbard died long before the birth of the Internet, or even of television or radio. But to labor his agricultural analogy, living in the digital age is like standing at the bottom of a grain elevator as they pour in the wheat. Our audiences are literally drowning in information — unrefined wheat and chaff and all the muck raked up with the harvest.

Yomiuri Style magazine started publishing in March 2007 and is distributed every month, except July and January, with the morning edition of the paper. The magazine uses career fashion directors and photographers to produce high-quality articles and features. Advertisers include: Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Yves Saint Laurent, Piaget, Lancome, Isetan, Ralph Lauren, Cartier, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Chaumet, Estee Lauder, M.A.C., Guerlain, Channel, and Christian Dior. Circulation 380,000 households plus.

J-NUDE started publishing in March 2006, as a free alternative biweekly aimed at working women in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Circulation 170,000. J-NUDE features beauty, gourmet dining, living styles, entertainment and intellectual topics. Advertisers include Shiseido, Singapore Tourism Board, and The Peninsula Tokyo. In addition, the publisher can provide a cross media solution utilizing their main product, The Asahi Shimbun with 8.1 million copies of daily circulation.too.