Japanesque Modern

Leading businesses including Matsushita Electric Industrial Co and Toyota Motor Corp as well as universities and designers launched a three-year campaign Saturday to heighten Japan’s brand image based on its traditional culture. A total of 48 companies, seven schools, 11 industrial groups and 20 individuals set up a council to promote the campaign under the slogan of “Japanesque modern.”

The initiative is aimed at boosting the nation’s competitiveness by creating new products and digital and cultural contents that would incorporate Japan’s traditional culture and craftsmanship and also meet the needs of contemporary society, council members said.