1.The 2026 Consumer (Shopping Trend)
・Look at your own life and your industry. How is our purchasing behavior changing?
・What are the 3 biggest trends for the 2026 shopper? (ex: Social-First Shopping where discovery and purchase happen instantly on SNS, The “Dupe” Economy where consumers proudly choose high-quality generic alternatives over luxury brands, or “Agentic Commerce” where AI bots research and buy products for us.)
・What is the one thing we must change in our business TODAY to be ready for 2026? (ex: Shifting from “Selling Products” to “Selling Time/Convenience”, or replacing automated bots with High-Touch Human Support)
・The Price Hike – Fair or Unfair? Tokyo taxi fares are increasing by about 10% to improve drivers’ wages and cover fuel costs. Do you support this policy?
・Companies like Honda and GM are planning to launch self-driving taxis in central Tokyo. Will AI replace taxi drivers, or will we always need the “human touch”? ex: Safety and trust in AI, the value of hospitality (Omotenashi), or cost efficiency vs. job loss.
・The taxi industry is changing through mergers and the dominance of ride-hailing apps. How will the industry survive in the next 10 years?
・A new global trend is “Sleep Tourism,” where people travel to high-quality hotels specifically to get the perfect night’s sleep. What is your opinion on spending money just to sleep? (ex: Spending money on a luxury hotel to get 10 hours of perfect, uninterrupted sleep. Is it worth it for your mental health, or is it a waste of money?)
・What is your favorite way to refresh your mind and body? (ex: “Digital Detox” by leaving your phone at home, going for a “Forest Walk” to breathe fresh air, or simply staying in bed all day on Sunday?)
