When it comes to digital transformation and design, the Japanese market is in a unique position. Japan has a rich heritage as a global design leader, however when it comes to digital design the market’s deep cultural traditions have limited the pace of true transformation, leaving consumers at a disadvantage.
Japan has a rich heritage as a global design leader, however when it comes to digital design the market’s deep cultural traditions have limited the pace of true transformation, leaving consumers at a disadvantage.
The COVID-19 pandemic made this clearer than ever as consumer demand for seamless, relevant digital experiences accelerated and the reality fell short.
The commitment the Japanese government has made to investing in the digital transformation of the nation means it is a key moment in the market’s history.
Japanese businesses have an opportunity to learn lessons from global markets to enable them to leapfrog the competition.
One Japanese company that has been ahead of the curve in understanding the value of digital design is the Japan-listed Asteria Corporation (CEO: Pina Hirano) and the reason why, in 2017, Asteria acquired This Place, a London-based digital strategy and design agency.
One Japanese company that has been ahead of the curve in understanding the value of digital design is the Japan-listed Asteria Corporation
This Place helps major global brands to accelerate digital transformation and create deep customer relationships by launching digital products, designing omnichannel experiences and building internal digital teams and cultures – all with a consumer centric approach that puts human understanding at the heart of everything we do.
Since the acquisition, the group have been working closely to combine Asteria’s Japanese heritage and technology capabilities with This Place’s global strategy and design expertise.
What unites the group is a commitment to putting people first, creating a more diverse and inclusive digital sector, and building a better digital future for everyone.
This Place helps major global brands to accelerate digital transformation and create deep customer relationships by launching digital products, designing omnichannel experiences and building internal digital teams and cultures – all with a consumer centric approach that puts human understanding at the heart of everything we do.
Recognizing the power of collaborating across cultures, and the unique opportunity presented by the Japanese market, Asteria and This Place are launching a Tokyo-based studio as part of their mid-term plan.
The studio will build on the unique blend of the group’s Japanese heritage and global digital transformation experience to bring a fresh approach and perspective to the Japanese market.
When done well, digital design and transformation can rapidly improve people’s lives. Learning lessons from global cultures in how to truly put people at the heart of digital transformation will enable Japanese companies to compete with, and become, the digital leaders of the future.
