Tue, 9 February 2010
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Business writer Ken Belson discusses Hello Kitty, expat life in Japan, and business opportunities during a recession.The New York Times business writer Ken Belson recently presented his book “Hello Kitty: The remarkable story of Sanrio and the billion dollar feline phenomenon” (John Wiley & Sons) at the American Book Center in Amsterdam, and took some time to chat with Expatica editor Danielle Latman about the cartoon cat, expat life in Japan, and business opportunities during a recession.
You’re both a business reporter and a Hello Kitty fan. Which trait was more prominent during the writing of this book?
There’s two parts to the answer: Hello Kitty is the motivator, but at the end of the day it was a business writing job.
I was in love with the topic, but I had to hand in a book that tells a story, and that is both a writing and a research exercise. I spent several months doing interviews and research, so that I had more than enough to start writing.
How does Hello Kitty represent some of the central elements of Japanese pop culture?
One is its graceful, simplistic design. She’s very two-dimensional and minimalist. As I pointed out in the lecture the other day, she’s a Zen cat, very flat and emotionless.
The other is the way she’s packaged on everything. In Japan she’s on all manner of things and I think it speaks to Sanrio’s [the company that created Hello Kitty] success at branding her, but also the Japanese acceptance of characters. Practically everything in Japan has some sort of logo or character.
Meeting the educational, legal and financial needs of those with disabilities.
Expatica’s selection of Language Schools, specialised in German for foreigners.
Information on searching for an apartment, visiting prospective homes, gathering necessary paperwork and signing the lease.
Information about the Swiss health care system, health insurance, pharmacies and emergency numbers.
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