Royal Asscher Launches Flagship Store in Japan

RAPAPORT... Royal Asscher has opened a new flagship boutique in Japan,its second standalone location in the country. The store, which is in Fukuoka's popular downtown shoppingdistrict, Fukuoka Tenjin, will carry its limited-edition European Architecturecollection, diamond jewelry and bridal pieces. The jeweler opened its firstretail outlet in the country in Tokyo last year. "Fukuoka is a short flight from Hong Kong and Taiwan, aferry ride from South Korea, and closer to Shanghai than Tokyo and is seeingyear-on-year record tourism numbers - which is great for exposing our brandfurther to audiences from these countries," said vice president Mike Asscher. "Fukuoka has also developed itself to attract young,innovative, entrepreneurial people, it has bargain rents, low taxes, specialvisas and trade incentives," he added. Royal Asscher sells its diamond-jewelry collections in about150 locations worldwide.