Japan businesses chase luxury market with eye on summer bonuses

While some customers spend big, others tighten purse strings amid inflation

Watches sit behind a display case at the Matsuya Ginza department store in Tokyo. Demand for luxury items is expected to grow. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

KAZUTO SHIMADA, KANOKO SAKAMOTO and AKINORI KAMATA, Nikkei staff writers

July 5, 2023 08:51 JST

TOKYO -- From department stores to hotels, businesses across Japan are scrambling to capture a surge in luxury spending driven by summer bonuses and a rebound in tourism.