Cards, business cards, personal cards were a mainstay in Japan. With a Business card, one could buy a car on the company! You might get fired by the company but the business card was highly valued over there.
Back before cable internet became ubiquitous, Japan had ISDN or dual phone lines for double the speed. Hesitant due to high installation costs ($400 - $500) back in the mid '90s, I finally decided to pull the plug and get one (lived in the Osaka area). Went to the local NTT office and tried to make an application. They had a LOT of red tape and an approx 6 weeks wait, including the fact that my house was owned by my organization in Tokyo. The request had to originate from THEM. As I was walking to the door, the NTT store manager said, . . . "OR if you have a business card with your organization name on it, we can start today!
I went home and made me a business card with my organizations name on it. HOWEVER, while making it, I checked my email. My TV cable company was about to offer cable internet. I went straight to the cable company and requested the cable internet, and took my new card with me.
Many in our organization started calling on me to make their cards, - mine higher quality graphics and higher resolution print.
in my 25+ years in Japan, I only had one Japanese refuse to give me a business card - a close friend whom LOML and I met with often - she worked in the top echelons of Toyota Motor Company in Ichibancho (THE main TMC) building. For security reasons they were only allowed to give cards in special circumstances and "friendship" was not one.
I do find cards very valuable back here and keep different versions on hand for different reasons. My early '90s Photoshop along with font & layout experience has come in handy.
I Think this would still be a great idea to revive and bring to fruition.
