Inspiration can often come sailing out of the blue. For Japanese firm Kamoi Kakōshi, a leading maker of industrial masking tape, it took the form of an unassuming visit in 2007 by three women to its ...

Staple-free staplers, pens with erasable ink, colorful removable masking tape, and other innovative stationery products are hugely popular in Japan. They are also winning fans around the world with ...