Latest news with #Oshi
Qatar Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Cashless tipping gains ground in Japan with Dinii's new feature
Agencies Many would say that along with delicious food and great service, no tipping is right up there among the best parts about restaurant dining in Japan. However, one cashless payment provider wants to play a role in changing that last part, and now includes a prompt encouraging customers to leave a tip. Tokyo-based Dinii actually has two different tipping systems, with the second being added this past May. It introduced its first take on tipping, called 'Oshi Support,' in 2020, but that works a little differently than the sort of tipping conventionally seen in American restaurants. Taking a cue from Japanese idol culture in which ardent fans support their favorite performer (oshi) through extra spending, Dinii's Oshi Support allows customers to look at a list of profiles for the restaurant's waitstaff and use it to select an extra payment to be given to the server of their choice. Dinii's new system, simply called 'tipping,' instead prompts users to select a percentage-based addition to their bill, which goes to the is usable at about 3,000 restaurants in Japan, and the company says that around 13 percent of those make use of the service's new tip payment option. Though tipping is largely recognized in Japan as originating in foreign dining cultures, Dinii says that its data shows a fairly even split between Japanese and non-Japanese users of its new tip function, based on user language settings, with an overall 56 percent Japanese/43 percent foreigner breakdown (though 61 percent of tippers in the Kansai area, around Osaka and Kyoto, are non-Japanese). That doesn't mean, though, that Japanese customers are as eager to start tipping as their overseas counterparts. Dinii's statistics about the tipper nationalities don't mean very much without comparing them to the nationalities of the service's total users. As a Japan-based service without much recognition internationally, it's likely a safe bet that the majority of Dinii's users are Japanese, and so roughly half of tippers being foreigners likely means that far less than 50 percent of the total number of Japanese users are leaving tips. As for the Oshi Support system, through which one waitress says she was given 70,000 yen in a single month, by co-opting fan jargon and working through perusable profiles, one could make the argument that it's actually closer to the parasocial transactions of host/hostess bars or online influencer donations, where the extra payment has less to do with skillful service and more a desire to support a presumed personal connection. There are a few other factors to also take into consideration regarding the decision to tip or not in Japan. First, many restaurants in Japan already include a tip substitute in the form of something called otoshi, a small appetizer that is served to customers without them ordering it and must be paid for. Otoshi portions are small and their ingredients usually inexpensive, and they're priced to boost the restaurant's profit margin a little extra beyond the food and drinks that customers actually order. It's also not unusual for bars and fancy restaurants in Japan to have a seating/table charge built into the bill. Finally, with tipping not being a common practice at restaurants in Japan, concepts such as the waitstaff pooling and splitting their tips, or a portion of the tips also going to the kitchen staff, may or may not be in place, depending on the establishment. It's also worth pointing out that part of the way Dinii presents its tip option runs counter to a belief in Japanese society. The text above the tip percentage options reads 'Let's show appreciation with a tip. A special thank you for special service.' To diners in Japan, though, good service isn't supposed to be 'special,' it's the norm, and something the restaurant should provide as a matter of course, so hopefully attempts to wedge tipping into dining out in Japan won't erode that part of its culture.
Japan Today
13-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Restaurant payment app starts its second attempt to make tipping a thing in Japan
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 Many would say that along with delicious food and great service, no tipping is right up there among the best parts about restaurant dining in Japan. However, one cashless payment provider wants to play a role in changing that last part, and now includes a prompt encouraging customers to leave a tip. Tokyo-based Dinii actually has two different tipping systems, with the second being added this past May. It introduced its first take on tipping, called 'Oshi Support,' in 2020, but that works a little differently than the sort of tipping conventionally seen in American restaurants. Taking a cue from Japanese idol culture in which ardent fans support their favorite performer (oshi) through extra spending, Dinii's Oshi Support allows customers to look at a list of profiles for the restaurant's waitstaff and use it to select an extra payment to be given to the server of their choice. Dinii's new system, simply called 'tipping,' instead prompts users to select a percentage-based addition to their bill, which goes to the restaurant. ▼ Dinii's tip selection screen, with options ranging up to 25 percent Image: PR Times Dinii is usable at about 3,000 restaurants in Japan, and the company says that around 13 percent of those make use of the service's new tip payment option. Though tipping is largely recognized in Japan as originating in foreign dining cultures, Dinii says that its data shows a fairly even split between Japanese and non-Japanese users of its new tip function, based on user language settings, with an overall 56 percent Japanese/43 percent foreigner breakdown (though 61 percent of tippers in the Kansai area, around Osaka and Kyoto, are non-Japanese). That doesn't mean, though, that Japanese customers are as eager to start tipping as their overseas counterparts. Dinii's statistics about the tipper nationalities don't mean very much without comparing them to the nationalities of the service's total users. As a Japan-based service without much recognition internationally, it's likely a safe bet that the majority of Dinii's users are Japanese, and so roughly half of tippers being foreigners likely means that far less than 50 percent of the total number of Japanese users are leaving tips. As for the Oshi Support system, through which one waitress says she was given 70,000 yen in a single month, by co-opting fan jargon and working through perusable profiles, one could make the argument that it's actually closer to the parasocial transactions of host/hostess bars or online influencer donations, where the extra payment has less to do with skillful service and more a desire to support a presumed personal connection. There are a few other factors to also take into consideration regarding the decision to tip or not in Japan. First, many restaurants in Japan already include a tip substitute in the form of something called otoshi, a small appetizer that is served to customers without them ordering it and must be paid for. Otoshi portions are small and their ingredients usually inexpensive, and they're priced to boost the restaurant's profit margin a little extra beyond the food and drinks that customers actually order. It's also not unusual for bars and fancy restaurants in Japan to have a seating/table charge built into the bill. Finally, with tipping not being a common practice at restaurants in Japan, concepts such as the waitstaff pooling and splitting their tips, or a portion of the tips also going to the kitchen staff, may or may not be in place, depending on the establishment. It's also worth pointing out that part of the way Dinii presents its tip option runs counter to a belief in Japanese society. The text above the tip percentage options reads 'Let's show appreciation with a tip. A special thank you for special service.' To diners in Japan, though, good service isn't supposed to be 'special,' it's the norm, and something the restaurant should provide as a matter of course, so hopefully attempts to wedge tipping into dining out in Japan won't erode that part of its culture. Source: PR Times, Mainichi Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan News via Jin Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- All you need to know about Japan's unasked-for restaurant appetizers that you have to pay for -- Japanese restaurant chain installs tip boxes in response to foreign tourists leaving tips, sparks debate -- Tipping in Japan: Yes, It Exists and It's Confusing External Link © SoraNews24
SoraNews24
11-07-2025
- Business
- SoraNews24
Restaurant payment app starts its second attempt to make tipping a thing in Japan
Second tip option added to service that also has Oshi Support. Many would say that along with delicious food and great service, no tipping is right up there among the best parts about restaurant dining in Japan. However, one cashless payment provider wants to play a role in changing that last part, and now includes a prompt encouraging customers to leave a tip. Tokyo-based Dinii actually has two different tipping systems, with the second being added this past May. It introduced its first take on tipping, called 'Oshi Support,' in 2020, but that works a little differently than the sort of tipping conventionally seen in American restaurants. Taking a cue from Japanese idol culture in which ardent fans support their favorite performer ('oshi') through extra spending, Dinii's Oshi Support allows customers to look at a list of profiles for the restaurant's waitstaff and use it to select an extra payment to be given to the server of their choice. Dinii's new system, simply called 'tipping,' instead prompts users to select a percentage-based addition to their bill, which goes to the restaurant. ▼ Dinii's tip selection screen, with options ranging up to 25 percent Dinii is usable at about 3,000 restaurants in Japan, and the company says that around 13 percent of those make use of the service's new tip payment option. Though tipping is largely recognized in Japan as originating in foreign dining cultures, Dinii says that its data shows a fairly even split between Japanese and non-Japanese users of its new tip function, based on user language settings, with an overall 56 percent Japanese/43 percent foreigner breakdown (though 61 percent of tippers in the Kansai area, around Osaka and Kyoto, are non-Japanese). That doesn't mean, though, that Japanese customers are as eager to start tipping as their overseas counterparts. Dinii's statistics about the tipper nationalities don't mean very much without comparing them to the nationalities of the service's total users. As a Japan-based service without much recognition internationally, it's likely a safe bet that the majority of Dinii's users are Japanese, and so roughly half of tippers being foreigners likely means that far less than 50 percent of the total number of Japanese users are leaving tips. As for the Oshi Support system, through which one waitress says she was given 70,000 yen (US$480) in a single month, by co-opting fan jargon and working through perusable profiles, one could make the argument that it's actually closer to the parasocial transactions of host/hostess bars or online influencer donations, where the extra payment has less to do with skillful service and more a desire to support a presumed personal connection. There are a few other factors to also take into consideration regarding the decision to tip or not in Japan. First, many restaurants in Japan already include a tip substitute in the form of something called otoshi, a small appetizer that is served to customers without them ordering it and must be paid for. Otoshi portions are small and their ingredients usually inexpensive, and they're priced to boost the restaurant's profit margin a little extra beyond the food and drinks that customers actually order. It's also not unusual for bars and fancy restaurants in Japan to have a seating/table charge built into the bill. Finally, with tipping not being a common practice at restaurants in Japan, concepts such as the waitstaff pooling and splitting their tips, or a portion of the tips also going to the kitchen staff, may or may not be in place, depending on the establishment. It's also worth pointing out that part of the way Dinii presents its tip option runs counter to a belief in Japanese society. The text above the tip percentage options reads 'Let's show appreciation with a tip. A special thank you for special service.' To diners in Japan, though, good service isn't supposed to be 'special,' it's the norm, and something the restaurant should provide as a matter of course, so hopefully attempts to wedge tipping into dining out in Japan won't erode that part of its culture. Source: PR Times, Mainichi Shimbun via Yahoo! Japan News via Jin Top image: Pakutaso Insert images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Business Upturn
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Is GATE season 2 happening? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 4, 2025, 17:30 IST Last updated July 4, 2025, 10:40 IST If you're a fan of GATE: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri , you've probably been dreaming of a sequel since the first season wrapped up back in 2016. The good news? GATE 2: Tides of Conflict is officially on the way! Announced on July 4, 2025, to mark the anime's 10th anniversary, this new chapter dives into uncharted waters—literally. So, what's the deal with this long-awaited follow-up? Let's break down everything we know so far. Is GATE Season 2 Confirmed? You bet it is! On July 4, 2025, the anime platform Oshi dropped the bombshell that GATE 2: Tides of Conflict (or GATE Season 2: Jieitai Kano Umi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri in Japanese) is in production. Based on the 'Season 2' light novels by Takumi Yanai, the announcement came with some early character visuals and a rundown of the creative team. It's not just a rumor—this sequel is happening, and fans are already hyped. What's the Story About? If the first season was all about the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JSDF) tackling dragons and politics in the Special Region, GATE 2 switches gears to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The story follows Captain Gorou Edajima, a grizzled naval officer, and Petty Officer Hajime Tokushima, a former chef with a knack for getting things done. Their mission? Rescue a kidnapped American journalist in the Special Region's Blue Sea, a chaotic stretch of water filled with warring island nations and ruthless pirates. Aboard the Kitashio , an Oyashio-class submarine, they'll face off against the Seven Islands Unification Movement, the Avion Monarchy Restorationists, and some shadowy force pulling strings behind the scenes. Oh, and there's Princess Primera of Tinae, a trade hub dealing with a piracy problem and a tricky political marriage to secure help from the Shiraf Navy. Expect naval battles, diplomatic drama, and that signature GATE mix of fantasy and military grit, all based on the first two volumes of the GATE Season 2 light novels. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. Sameer Berry, Oshi Health Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Named to Modern Healthcare's 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives
In helping create and scale Oshi as the first nationwide virtual GI clinic, Berry has been instrumental in expanding access to evidence-based, multidisciplinary care that improves outcomes and lowers cost NEW YORK, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oshi Health proudly announces that Modern Healthcare has recognized Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sameer Berry as one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2025. A physician-scientist and entrepreneur, Dr. Berry has redefined GI care through Oshi's high-touch, virtual clinic with a proven care model that has never before been reimbursed – uniting five GI-focused specialties under one roof. Today, 63 million Americans nationwide have in-network access to Oshi's life-changing care. Berry has shaped and scaled an accountable care model, building clinical workflows, collaboration and advancement structures, and the first-ever quality and utilization management framework for virtual GI care – practiced with rigor by Oshi's in-house clinical workforce. This clinical infrastructure has enabled Oshi to scale with consistency and measurable impact—establishing a new standard for virtual specialty care delivery and driving documented savings of $10,292 per patient per year by reducing avoidable ER visits, diagnostic testing, and medication use, now proven at scale across multiple health plans. "Dr. Berry has redefined what patient-centered care looks like in digestive health," said Sam Holliday, CEO of Oshi Health. "His leadership and clinical vision have fueled Oshi's model of whole-person, evidence-based care—dramatically expanding access and improving outcomes and quality of life for patients while reducing avoidable care and costs. We're thrilled to see his work recognized on healthcare's national stage." In the past year, Oshi Health has scaled to full population coverage nationwide while maintaining 98% patient satisfaction, a testament to its success in helping patients reach full symptom control faster. While the national industry average is 48 days to see a gastroenterologist, Oshi patients are seen within days by a highly trained, multidisciplinary team—including GI-specialized dietitians, behavioral health providers, advanced practice providers, gastroenterologists, and care coordinators—all practicing at the top of their licenses to deliver integrated, relationship-based care. In parallel, Berry has positioned Oshi Health as a trusted partner to the broader GI ecosystem. Through multiple funding rounds, he helped secure strategic investments from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), and a coalition of GI physician leaders, underscoring Oshi's alignment with the future of the specialty. Bolstered by in-network provider contracts with national and regional payers, Oshi has built a partnership network with local GI specialists and health systems to offer hybrid virtual care and free practice capacity for necessary in-person care. Modern Healthcare's prestigious 50 Most Influential program honors licensed clinicians in executive roles who are recognized by the senior editors of Modern Healthcare and selected for their exceptional achievements in driving innovation, improving outcomes, serving their communities, and demonstrating exemplary leadership both within and beyond their organizations. Oshi Health has also been recognized by Modern Healthcare for its innovation and workplace excellence, earning a 2024 Innovators Award for demonstrating significant cost savings and clinical impact in GI care. The company was also named one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for its fully remote workforce, inclusive culture, and comprehensive employee benefits. Detailed profiles of all the honorees are featured in the June 9, 2025 issue of Modern Healthcare's magazine and online at About Oshi Health Oshi Health is the first and only nationwide virtual gastroenterology (GI) clinic. Our evidence-based, whole-person approach to digestive care is changing lives and transforming healthcare economics by helping patients reach lasting symptom control, faster and at a lower total cost of care. Oshi Health is available in all 50 states to more than 63 million people as an in-network virtual GI clinic. Together with our growing roster of in-person gastroenterologist partners nationwide, we are expanding patient access to collaborative, multidisciplinary wrap-around GI care. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Oshi Health Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
