Nepal: A Golden Land for Content Creators

Nepal, May 23 -- Toshiyuki (Tiger) Ishii, president and CEO of Canon Singapore Pte Ltd., oversees Canon's operations in 23 countries across South and Southeast Asia. With more than three decades of experience across global markets, including China, Canada, the US, Europe, and Hong Kong, Ishii recently visited Nepal. The Post caught up with him to talk about Canon's presence in Nepal, the future of imaging, and how camera companies adapt in the smartphone era. Excerpts:

Why have you appeared again after all these years?

It has been more than two and a half decades since my previous visit to Nepal, and I am delighted to return. This journey primarily aims at reinforcing Canon’s connection with our local distributer, uncovering fresh business prospects, and fostering the expansion of our operations in Nepal. There is significant promise here, particularly within photography and printing sectors. Through close collaboration with our associates, we aspire to elevate our brand even higher and deliver greater value to Nepalese consumers.

Canon has had a strong presence in Nepal through Primax International since 1992. How would you assess the Nepali market?

Every market is unique and vital to Canon, and Nepal is no exception. This country is incredibly rich in natural beauty, with the world's highest peak, vibrant national parks, and unique wildlife like the one-horned rhino and the Royal Bengal tiger. Nepal is culturally rich, with its festivals and jatras drawing attention from around the globe. It truly is a content creation paradise. Over the past decade, our collaboration with Primax International has helped Canon capture over 50 percent of the market share here. We've focused on developing a strong photo culture and delivering high-quality products and services to all kinds of creators.

What does Canon aim to achieve in the long term in Nepal?

Canon is dedicated to fostering robust communities of photographers and content creators within this region. In collaboration with Primax, we organize workshops, photography tours, and provide post-purchase support via an authorized service center and a specialized Canon retail store. Over time, our objective is for Canon to become the first-choice brand for professional and amateur content producers alike. We strive to anticipate their changing requirements and persistently assist them with suitable equipment and platforms.

In terms of the worldwide market, what specific area of content creation is Canon prioritizing the most?

Worldwide, there has been a significant increase in content production, largely fueled by the rise of social media platforms. Specifically, short-form videos show immense promise for further development. Within Asia, sectors like wedding photography and videography continue to be prominent areas. This trend mirrors what’s happening in Nepal as well, where there is a swiftly expanding requirement for top-notch wedding coverage along with engaging social media material.

Canon is renowned for its advancements in imaging technologies. In what ways do you envision artificial intelligence and video tech influencing the development of your future offerings?

We are significantly invested in advanced technologies of the future. The newest additions to our mirrorless lineup come equipped with state-of-the-art deep learning capabilities for improved subject detection and precise autofocusing. These features enable the camera to quickly recognize and follow subjects and movements accurately, thereby improving the quality of photographs and videos. When paired with our most recent VCM (Voice Coil Motor) lens innovation, the EOS R series empowers artists to generate top-tier content characterized by enhanced clarity, color fidelity, and artistic flexibility.

Is there any particular product launch that has caught your interest?

Yes, we're excited about several recent and upcoming products. Our new EOS R50 V and PowerShot V10 are designed specifically for videographers and content creators. These cameras are compact and powerful and offer great video capabilities along with excellent still photo performance. If you try them, you'll notice how intuitive and accessible they are-ideal for today's creators who need to produce high-quality content quickly and easily.

Smartphones have revolutionised photography by putting powerful cameras in everyone's pocket. How has Canon adapted to this shift?

Certainly, smartphones have democratized photography and heightened everyone’s standards when it comes to picture quality. This shift has paradoxically fueled an increased desire for high-end imaging devices. Digital cameras continue to stand out due to their outstanding capabilities such as excellent low-light shooting, precise eye-tracking focus, continuous facial recognition, and adaptable lenses among others. Such features prove particularly advantageous in fields including nature, athletics, individual portraits, nuptial events, and everyday life documentation. Additionally, we observe a distinct inclination towards producing mixed-media content primarily through social networks like Instagram and TikTok. To cater to these evolving trends, Canon offers a comprehensive system encompassing compact point-and-shoots along with versatile DSLR options, extensive lens selections, and specialized optical solutions tailored specifically for immersive VR experiences.

Have you seen a spike in camera sales driven by the rise of social media platforms?

Certainly. Social media plays a crucial role in fueling the surge of interest in cameras, particularly amongst younger demographics such as Generation Z. There’s a revived passion for compact digital cameras that provide both quality and ease of use. In response to this trend, Canon has introduced devices like the PowerShot V10 and EOS R50, tailored specifically for generating and disseminating content. These units are built to be durable and intuitive, receiving highly positive responses from consumers.

Ultimately, what message do you wish to convey to content creators in Nepal?

Nepal boasts an amazing reservoir of talent amid its uplifting cultural and scenic backdrop. For all content producers based here—from seasoned photographers and videographers to those discovering their creative interests via social platforms—Canon backs your endeavors. Our pledge is to equip makers with suitable resources, knowledge, and chances to convey their narratives in impactful manners.