And Assist Inc.-We are Tokyo based virtual assistants オンラインアシスタントサービス-

01/11/2025

✨What is Japan’s Culture Day? 🇯🇵

Every November 3, Japan celebrates Culture Day, a national holiday dedicated to freedom, peace, and the promotion of culture.

Originally the birthday of Emperor Meiji, it later became the day the postwar Constitution was proclaimed in 1946, symbolizing peace and cultural growth.

Across Japan, people visit exhibitions, attend school festivals, and enjoy events celebrating creativity and learning. The Emperor also presents the Order of Culture to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to art, science, or academia.

Culture Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore Japan’s traditions and creativity and for anyone living or doing business here, a chance to understand the deeper values that shape Japanese society.

👉 Check the comments for free admission spots available this year. Which one would you like to visit?

Follow AND ASSIST KK. for more cultural and business insights about life in Japan.

16/10/2025

📈Beyond Zero: Japan’s Quiet Economic Shift💰

The International Monetary Fund has raised Japan’s 2025 growth forecast to 1.1%, and the Bank of Japan is expected to gradually lift interest rates toward 1.5%.

After nearly three decades of ultra-low and even negative rates, this shift marks a long-awaited step toward normalization, a sign that Japan’s economy is finally strong enough to stand on its own.

Still, the transition is not without challenges. Inflation is rising faster than real wages, leaving households under pressure. In June 2025, real wages fell 0.8% year-over-year, marking six straight months of decline, even as nominal pay increased about 3%. With inflation above 3.5%, purchasing power continues to erode.

The gap between nominal wage increases and inflation-driven losses undermines purchasing power and weakens domestic demand.
For companies, it means consumers are stretched and pricing strategies become harder to implement.

Growth that doesn’t reach people’s wallets isn’t real growth.
Japan may be exiting the era of zero interest, yet it still needs to bridge the gap between macro recovery and everyday resilience.

💬 How is your business adapting to Japan’s changing economic landscape?

💬How do you evaluate Japan’s latest monetary shift compared to the policy direction in your own country?

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24/07/2025

Rejected by Japanese Banking? BillPay Built the Way🎙

Why is opening a bank account in Japan so difficult for foreign companies?
As someone with a background in finance, I’ve seen firsthand how this barrier can hold back incredible business potential.

In this episode of my Omotenashi Ambassador Podcast, I sat down with Kaido Chiwata, co-founder of BillPay, a groundbreaking fintech startup that’s transforming the way foreign companies do business in Japan.
Instead of accepting “That’s just how Japan is,” Kaido and his team asked, “Isn’t there a better way?”

The result? A service that offers named virtual Japanese bank accounts, allowing overseas businesses to send and receive payments in Japan without the need to set up a local bank account nor entity.

For international entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, this is the kind of smart simplicity we've been waiting for.

To me, this is Omotenashi in action, not just hospitality, but the ability to anticipate unspoken needs and remove invisible barriers to create a truly seamless, welcoming experience.

🎧 Full episode link is in the comments.

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12/07/2025

🌿 Omotenashi isn’t just for the frontlines. 🌿
At And Assist Inc.-We are Tokyo based virtual assistants オンラインアシスタントサービス- , we believe that exceptional service starts from within the organization. It begins when empathy and structure are truly embedded in the company culture when every team member’s voice is heard, valued, and acted on across departments.
Even in roles that don’t directly face the customer, understanding the frontline experience and responding with empathy can transform the quality of service.

Let me know how you apply empathy and structure in your organization.

01/05/2024

As Mother's Day nears, many seek ways to make the day special, often overwhelmed by the planning required. This is where the assistance of a Virtual Assistant (VA) becomes invaluable. A VA can help with everything from gift selection to event organization, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Professional VAs are crucial for those balancing busy schedules while aiming to create memorable moments. They manage tasks like online shopping, booking reservations, and event planning. The expertise and reliability of your assistant are key to a successful celebration.

For those in need of trustworthy and efficient planning help, AND ASSIST KK offers top-notch Virtual Assistant Services. Based in Japan, our team consists of skilled professionals who understand the importance of your special occasions. Whether it's for personal or business needs, AND ASSIST KK provides flexible support, ensuring your Mother's Day is memorable and hassle-free.

22/04/2024

Maximize your Golden Week with AND ASSIST KK’s premier Virtual Assistant services. Discover how tailored planning can enhance your holiday relaxation and efficiency, allowing you to enjoy Japan's national holidays without the stress of planning. Explore flexible, dependable solutions for both leisure and business needs with AND ASSIST KK. https://andassist.jp/

20/02/2023

Spring is definitely in the air!
You might see some cherry blossoms already starting to bloom.
In general, when we talk about hana-mi (花見), or cherry blossom forecasts, it's usually referring to somei-yoshino, the most common and iconic type of sakura trees, which are usually in full bloom at the beginning of April.
So the types of sakura you can see around this time may be kawazu-sakura (河津桜), which starts blooming in February. The pink color of kawazu-sakura is much brighter and deeper than somei- yoshino, and the flowers last longer.
Kawazu town in Shizuoka is famous for their riverside paths with over 8,000 beautiful kawazu-sakura trees.
https://livecam.town.kawazu.shizuoka.jp/

However, there are many types of sakura trees you may randomly see at some parks or streets nearby. We hope you can find some early-blooming sakura in your neighborhood and enjoy the nice feeling of spring!
Oh, if you want to plan some hanami trips or hanami parties, we can always assist you:)

河津川の四季折々の風河をライブ動画と静止画で配信しています。河津桜まつりの期間中は舘橋と河津桜並木を配信し、それ以外の時期は伊豆急河津川橋梁と河津川を配信します。また1日に6回、パノラマ撮影を行っていま....

22/12/2022

Gift recommendations for New Year's for your clients and business partners.
Many Japanese companies operate until December 29th and stay busy until the last minute. On the other hand, many of them will be slow to get started after the New Year's holidays, and prefer to spend the first week of New Year's greeting clients and business partners. This might be a good chance to have some positive conversations for the new year in a relaxing mood. Bringing a box of assorted sweets to the office would also be a great idea. Something that is individually packaged and lasts longer is recommended. Cans of tea or coffee are also popular gifts for a wide range of people. They can be stored at room temperature for a long time. Many stick coffees and tea bags are individually wrapped, making them easy to share in the office. Let us know if you need any help or recommendations!

01/12/2022

Did you know that you can rent a Christmas tree with decorations for your home or office?

It has become a popular option for families and young couples who are willing to own less stuff to simplify their limited space. And especially if you live in Japan temporarily and know you will relocate in the near future, you might agree to not having too many possessions. We can help you find the perfect rental tree for the amount of space you have.

It’ll come right to your door and all you'll need to do is to pack everything and send it back after Christmas.

Interested? We can walk you through how it works!

21/11/2022

We recently had a request from one of our clients for handwritten Christmas cards with Japanese messages, which we truly enjoyed helping with. What a brilliant idea to show someone you care during the holiday season!

If you work with Japanese clients, it'd also be nice to consider sending "nengajo" (年賀状), a Japanese tradition of sending New Years cards. AND ASSIST can support you with everything from choosing the right cards, adding handwritten notes, addressing and mailing out.

E-cards are certainly nice and convenient, but if you are interested in doing something a bit more special for your clients this year, let us know so we can walk you through how it works!