The emergence of pan-Asian brands: regional strategies of Japanese cosmetic brands

In this article, I analyse the regional strategy of luxury Japanese cosmetics brands to investigate the claim of the Japanisation of Asia. I begin by examining the emergence of pan-Asian advertising for Japanese cosmetic brands, then make the case for an emphasis on branding, as distinct from advertising, which changes the way in which we understand this regional phenomenon. I explore the different ways in which a brand engages consumers, and argue for a sober assessment of the relative importance of advertising (and the salience of image of country of origin) in the overall branding process. I then follow the regional circulation of Japanese brands and media contents, neither of which can any longer be understood coherently in terms of a national framework such as Japanisation. I argue that the globalisation of advertising in Asia is a complex process shaped by large multinational corporations and a disjunctive flow of media contents, and that a more pronounced focus on brands will help to make sense of this process

Beyond conventional Western views of creativity and innovation

Current discourse on organisational innovation and creativity is written almost exclusively from a historically specific Western perspective. Academic literature that attempts to examine the role of ‘innovation’ and ‘creativity’ within the Asian context often highlight how the continued adherence to ‘Confucian’ teachings and highly interventionist governments will continue to stymie the development of ‘creativity’ in Asian countries (see Hutton 2007). This chapter will attempt to update the concepts and discourses of ‘innovation’ and ‘creativity’ within a rapidly changing power balance between the West and Asia amid growing transnational connections between companies that operate both in the West and Asia. This chapter will aim to broaden the current discussion two ways. Firstly, it will question if the notions of ‘creativity’ and ‘innovation’ are relevant when it comes to the production and consumption of goods in the fashion industry. Secondly, by examining software development in Asia, the chapter will also assess if the continued assumptions about the lack of ‘creativity’ and ‘innovation’ from Asian countries are simply due to language barriers. This chapter aims to problematize current ideas of what constitutes ‘creativity’ and ‘innovation’ in a global economy that is rapidly driven by Asia

健康成人におけるゼリータイプの炭水化物サプリメント摂取は脂肪組織と筋蛋白質の異化を抑制し満足度を改善した

Background & aims: Many studies have reported the effects of preoperative clear fluid carbohydrate supplements; however, few studies have reported the effects of preoperative jelly-type carbohydrate supplements. This study aimed to assess the effect of a jelly-type oral nutritional supplement (ONS) on metabolism, redox balance by using various surrogate markers and to evaluate its excretion from the stomach. Methods: This study was conducted according to a crossover design. Participants underwent a control experiment whereby they fasted after dinner and only ingested water until the experiment. The remaining participants underwent an ONS experiment whereby they ingested 400 g of ONS before bed and another 400 g at 7:00 am. Blood samples were collected at 9:00 am. After a break of at least 24 h, participants underwent the alternate experiment. Results: Thirty minutes after intake of jelly, the gastric antrum appeared flat (the same result as that at baseline) on ultrasonography. The ONS group showed significantly lower serum free fatty acid levels (100 μEq/L, p = 0.027, vs. 327 μEq/L, n = 6), total ketone bodies levels, 3-MH/creatinine levels, and oxidative stress surrogate markers. Serum insulin levels were significantly higher and participant's satisfaction was improved in the ONS group. Conclusions: We have the limitations of our methodologies as surrogate markers, compared with direct measurement of lipolysis, proteolysis and redox balance regulation. But Jelly-type ONS suppresses the catabolism of adipose tissue and muscle protein, decreases oxidative stress and improves patient satisfaction in healthy participants, without any increased risk of aspiration