TOKYO -- This year gave birth to many phenomena that excited consumers across different segments. But several that topped our sumo-style banzuke ranking of hit products and trends in Japan for 2016 took the extra step of blurring the line between reality and invention.
Smartphone game "Pokemon Go" earned the title of yokozuna, or grand champion, in the East division, having snagged over 500 million downloads worldwide since debuting in July. Players can capture the virtual pocket monsters in parks and other real-world locations, leading everyone from young people to seniors to walk around town, smartphone in hand, immersed in the augmented-reality universe.
