Japan's top retailer Aeon imports tech lessons learned in China

TOKYO -- The livestreaming event hawking model trains was a hit. An employee at Japanese hobby shop chain Popondetta showed off a variety of items for the camera to delighted comments from viewers, and orders flowed in.

Early this month, Aeon Mall -- a subsidiary of Aeon, Japan's largest retailer -- opened a livestreaming space for tenants at its Makuhari New City location near Tokyo.