Old companies thrive in brand-loyal Japan

I would say two things. One is that yes, in some cases, products and services shinise offer can't be duplicated and are of the highest quality (temple carpenters comes to mind) That said, I'm familiar with a small, family run company which continues to buy higher cost parts out of loyalty to those vendors. And it's a case of younger family members unable to convince elders not interested in the cost savings. Is this a good thing? Maybe, maybe not.

Absolutely love it, I have and will continue to pay more to these types of businesses around Japan. I enjoy the fact I know I am getting quality merchandise and helping financially a family business succeed in the face of Made in china inc.

This is part of why people love Japan. All the old culture, old shops, diversity in food, etc. And even though I sometimes get annoyed when Japanese friends constantly only post food photos on social media I then remember that food in Japan is seen as something like a treasure while in western countries it's just seen as 'fuel'.

I will be a loyal customer to any company that treats me with respect by not lowering their values and quality in order to boost their bottom end. So many companies today forget about what got them to where they are now. I will pay extra when I know that something is made with more care and will preform better and last longer. Those companies that don't understand that and instead make things cheaper which in turn lowers quality and longevity of their products are doomed to go out of business. Customers that expect to save by buying cheaper, lower quality copies don't realize that in the end they will pay more because they NEVER factor in their time and travel expenses for going to get replacements and the cost of the replacements.

Started in 1603.

CGB: Go to a noodle or gyudon kind of place during lunch hour and think about only westerners fuelling up by massive intake. At least westerners don't lite up after it and blow smoke in your face.

Salary men and blue color people mass consume really fast. No tasting...it is shovelling and sucking.

The Bank of Korea study carried out in 2008 found 5,586 companies older than 200 years — with 3,146, or 56 percent, in Japan. That was followed by 837, or 15 percent, in Germany; 222 in the Netherlands and 196 in France.

Uh, so what? All this proves is that Japan has done a great job of operating a protected economy, plus the fact that there are certain businesses in Japan that cater to a particular regional taste or service that a company can survive for centuries. But, my question is, of these 3,146, how many are really thriving, versus just still in existence?

Uh, so what? All this proves is that Japan has done a great job of operating a protected economy, plus the fact that there are certain businesses in Japan that cater to a particular regional taste or service that a company can survive for centuries. But, my question is, of these 3,146, how many are really thriving, versus just still in existence?

What's wrong with just existing?

CGB - Food is like a treasure here - sure. But it could also mean people have little else of substance they are capable of sharing on FB, just like on TV and all those food programs.

Ishiwara - What's wrong with just existing? Well, you have kids walking around tourist areas in SE Asia trying to sell postcards. Buying those is just enabling them to exist, so I don't give money to them.

@JapanGal so westerners don't smoke at all?! That's new to me! The speed of how fast one eats hasn't anything to do with the level of food appreciation. Noodles in Japan are supposed to be eaten fast.

Nice to know the "trust" these companies gained from customers. No company can stay afloat for 150-200 years unless they really knew and honed their craft.

This article seems a little "nihonjinron" to me ( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihonjinron ), in that it seems to suggest Japanese businesses are somehow "different", and thus "better" than non-Japanese ones.

Some of the reasons for the longevity of these businesses include a protectionism, created from cutting off Japan from the world and then, after it was forced open, via economic protectionism and nationalism. How many of these "traditional" companies have been bought out by other Japanese corporations/the government to keep them afloat?

Also, how is a refusal to support other companies' products (especially newer or foreign) a good thing? By only doing so, such companies, and their products inevitably become staid and lack any motivation to innovate. I also don't think most Japanese care these days, either. Just look at Japan's technology industry. Who really buys Japanese mobile phones these days? All I see are iPhones.

And, as for traditional companies and products, the world has them in spades. Sometimes, the product is not bound to one company or has evolved, but it still exists. Just look at pubs or architecture in the UK (or anywhere except Japan), or mother nature, which features buildings that are hundreds of years old (if not thousands in some countries) or countryside not buried under concrete.

Personally, this whole article looks like an excuse to reassure older Japanese that navel gazing into the past is still a viable option. They are welcome to celebrate their 100 year old sake company in their Playmobil houses, surrounded by power cables, noise pollution and concreted rivers, while I can go back (should I wish), to my village and eat traditional, REAL (cheddar) cheese, drink traditional beer in a genuine Tudor pub, surrounded by unsullied countryside, even though it's right next to an international airport.