You may have seen discussions on how Japanese design is perceived abroad—whether it’s being “too information-heavy” or having a “unique UX.” In this column, we dive into Japan’s distinctive design culture from a Japanese designer’s perspective.

Amid labor shortages and other challenges in Japan’s fishing industry, the marketplace-style app “UUUO” is making waves. We explored how it broke into the market, tapped into industry needs, and navigated its journey to growth.