March 2023: Best Content on Japan

My curated March reads, videos and podcasts from the land of the rising sun

Welcome to our latest roundup, "March 2023: Best Content on Japan"! This month has been a whirlwind, with numerous events making headlines and capturing our attention. From the financial sector's turmoil due to the massive collapses of SVB and Credit Suisse affecting Japanese banks significantly, to the much-awaited Hanami season bringing a burst of color and festivities, there's no shortage of exciting news and content to cover.

In this post, we'll dive into the best articles, videos, and stories that provide insights into Japan's vibrant culture, captivating events, and fascinating developments. So, grab a cup of tea, and join us as we explore the Land of the Rising Sun in all its glory, amidst the chaos and the celebrations of March 2023. Let's dive in!

Reads

• Yahoo! News - Due to all the bank collapses, the bank of japan might 'finally' be forced to tighten their extremely loose monetary policy

• KonichiValue - The Fall of Rakuten: How Japan's E-commerce Titan Got to the Brink of Disaster

• Japan Optimist
  (article here) - Japan is on track to becoming a Start-up Nation!

• Richard Katz
  (article here) - Restoring Japan's Leadership In Innovation

• The Diplomat - Japan & South Korea’s long unresolved forced labor dispute might near a closure, at least politically, with South Korea deciding to shoulder victim compensation through donations. 

• BBC News - Masatoshi Ito, billionaire who made 7-Eleven a global giant, dies at 98

• KonichiValue - The dangers of falling for the cherry blossom stock frenzy with five stocks to avoid, and five stocks to pick instead, during Hanami season

• Japan Times - Major Japanese firms agree to hefty wage hikes amid rising prices

• Hollywood Reporter - Sony's CFO, Hiroki Totoki, argues that Sony can make more money without a streaming platform

Videos

• This is the thrilling story of Japan's biggest heist by the up-and-coming Youtuber Japanalysis:

• Check out the Vice Documentary about one of Japan's best kept secret places, which also happens to be my favorite destination, Eihime:

• This short video from the new YouTube channel Lawarch explains how Japan has basically had a one-party system, even though it’s a democracy, for the past 70 years: