With lockdowns across Asia impacting the busiest period of travel, Lunar New Year celebrations are staying local in 2021. And while large meals are a traditional way to ring in the new year, hotel restaurants are delivering high-end dishes to the home as family gatherings remain risky.

How are Gen Zers ushering in the end for gender binaries? Why might city life change for good? And what might solo living look like in the post-pandemic era? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats and case studies to explore the behavioural norms shared by Japanese people in 2021.

Japanese food producer Awajiya has designed new packaging for its ekiben, or takeaway meals, to help the food stay protected from droplets in the air. The packaging shows how food and beverage brands are pivoting their offering to respond to new hygiene concerns.

Will homes remain the main destination for food and drink experiences? How can diets help maintain mental health? And who will people turn to for their groceries? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how the events of 2020 are shaping eating and drinking habits.