Yookoso Japan!

Yookoso, or welcome, to Ads In Translation, a blog dedicated to the creative madness that is Japanese advertising.

Japan, home to three out of the Top 10 most successful advertising agencies in the world, is also the breeding grounds for ad-friendly companies and industries like electronics, cosmetics, fashion, etc. Out of this wealth of resources springs ads that range from funny to glamorous to puzzling. Japanese commercials are some of the most well-executed in the world, and I hope to share some of the more interesting ad campaigns and offer cultural explanations to the best of my abilities.

Trends in Japanese commercials speak volumes about the country's culture. Millions spent on Hollywood OIJ commercials (short for "only in Japan") reflect a strong pro-Western mentality among Japanese, and multi-celebrity campaigns highlight the collectivist nature of Japan. The capital city, Tokyo, with its dazzling sights and sounds, almost seems like a giant commercial itself. Just like the city and the culture, there's a little something for everyone to enjoy in Japanese advertising, so sit back and enjoy.