As taxes go up in Japan, consumers are developing a new taste for the old. As a result, the flea market is jumping. But not as per tradition; now the concept has shrunk to fit your pocket. The second-hand marketplace app Mercari is attracting smartphone shoppers, could it overtake eBay?

Studies show that three quarters of us are born with the inclination to make poor spending decisions - spurring the creation of Japanese money management app PhotoMoney. And while it's not the first, developers believe it's unique enough to effectively alter spending habits.

With taxes in Japan set to rise for the first time since the late '90s – from 5% to 8% – shoppers are making rash purchase decisions. January and February sales have increased, as families fork out on everything from clothes to home appliances prior to the price hike.

From ramen shops to sushi stands, there’s no doubt that eating out is big business in Japan. But authentic, local dining is off-limits to many foreigners due to the formidable language barrier that persists outside major cities. Could an app get tourists to pick up the chopsticks?