On-Site Report Along with the increased popularity of Japanese food, rice cookers are starting to become more prevalent globally. By incorporating everything from traditional Japanese earthen ware to newly developed enamels, 2 Japanese companies are taking both price and flavor to unheard of levels as they seek to break out of Japan and find new customers for their high-end rice cookers in both Asia and North America. World Perspective Rapid growth in recent years has brought higher incomes to Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy. This is fueling consumer trends, and one of the newest is a taste for Japanese cuisine -- both at neighborhood eateries and in a growing number of kitchens across the nation.