In an SPinno survey of 224 people aged 23-65, 65.2% said they had seen in-store POP, posters or menus they thought were made with generative AI. Of those, 37.7% said their impression of the store improved and 21.9% said it worsened; 69.0% of people in their 20s reacted positively, while 29.9% of women reacted negatively. Top requests were disclosing AI use and checking for odd text, images and gaps from the real product.
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Tribeck has published a guide to the legal changes companies in Japan need to prepare for in the second half of 2026, including measures against customer harassment, sexual harassment of job applicants, revisions to the Whistleblower Protection Act and a major overhaul of the Labour Standards Act, with expected timing and which teams are affected. Customer-facing shops, restaurants and salons are directly concerned.
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JETRO reports that Central Market, an upscale Texas supermarket, held its supplier showcase in Dallas on October 8, where four Japanese food makers presented seasonings, yuzu drinks, persimmons, prepared foods and more to buyers. Participants reported positive reactions, including concrete price talks. A buyer said they want products with a story, rarity and premium appeal rather than Japanese foods found everywhere.
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JNTO estimates 3,103,700 international visitors in September 2026, 5.0% fewer than a year earlier, as higher airfares linked to the Middle East situation, fewer flights and typhoon cancellations weighed on travel. Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Mexico, Russia and the Middle East still set September records, and the January–September total has passed 30 million.
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On 20 October 2026 the Consumer Affairs Agency issued a cease-and-desist order to giobai Co., Ltd. over its advertising for the FLEURISTE aroma product and cartridges, finding misleading claims of superiority and a breach of Japan’s stealth-marketing rules under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.
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