Malaysia gets a slice of “Cool Japan” – the first location to get a piece of Japan’s creative initiative, in fact.
The growing number of high income earners in Malaysia caught Japan’s eye. Isetan’s Nobuharu Yutani reported that Malaysia’s market influence within ASEAN and the Middle was a reason it’s capital was selected for the first overseas Isetan Cool Japan Department Store.
The concept store brings along an initiative called “Cool Japan,” to promote creative
industries within Malaysia and aims to promote Japanese lifestyle, culture, technology and design. Specially trained promoters from Japan and Team Nadeshiko have been brought in to help train the local staff too.
Covering 11,000 square meters of space in Bukit Bintang, an area of Kuala Lumpur that is popular with tourists, shoppers will be able to explore various foods, fashions, arts, furniture and even fine dining in the six-story Isetan Cool Japan Department store.
The concept store is 51:49 owned by Isetan of Japan, the local unit of Isetan Mitsukoshi and Cool Japan Fund, with paid-up capital of $19.7 million USD. Isetan department stores date back a century and there are now 31 outlets in seven countries, four of which are in Malaysia.
*Image Source: Nikkei Asian Review
