Many people are intimidated by the Japanese e-commerce market because it is so foreign. Japan is a single language country and the majority of the country does not know a word of English, which includes the business world.
That is not to say that it is a closed market. Japan has the second-largest e-commerce industry in Asia and there are still plenty of opportunities to get a foot in the door and make a name for yourself. You only need the right strategy and you could enjoy one of the world’s strongest buying powers in e-commerce.
Finding an agency
Business is mostly done in Japanese so if you want to get into the market, you need someone on the inside who can do the talking for you. A Japan Marketing Agency is one of the most secure ways of entering the market. WPIC is one such agency that has been in the business for a long time.
The team at WPIC knows the ins and outs of the market and will be able to guide you through the whole process of getting set up. WPIC specializes in several fields, including retail, sports, IT, health, electronics and many more.
Getting to know the business culture
As with anything else in Japan, business is a matter of excellence. If you want to get into the Japanese market, getting to know the business culture will give you an advantage over your competitors.
The Japanese people are a proud nation and if you do not show any interest in their business customs, it could come across as not being serious about doing business. It could also open the door for miscommunication and lost opportunities.
The Japanese consumer also has unique demands and expectations, especially when it comes to packaging, appearance and product quality. You will have to tailor your product according to their needs.
Understanding the regions of Japan
The heart of commerce and business is centered in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. This is where consumers will likely find foreign products. This is also the place where new trends are likely to start.
Tokyo is expensive and getting some real estate is a tough ask, but it is the hub where most major businesses have headquarters. Tokyo is also home to several high-income consumers and Japan’s centralized transport networks.
Kansai is the second-largest city in Japan and exporters in the fields of electronics, food, pharmaceuticals, biotech and textiles will find this area to be very lucrative. On its own, Kansai has the 16th largest economy in the world in GRP terms. In terms of production, Kansai is the leader of Japan’s lithium-ion batteries, solar cells and medicinal drugs.
Kyushu is Japan’s fourth-largest economic hub with a GDP of around $450 billion. Putting it into perspective, Kyushu’s GDP is ranked 30th in the world. Manufacturing and agriculture are the main economic activities of the area. Several other regions in Japan also hold great potential for foreign investors and exporters and are also worth exploring.
Doing your research
If you have a successful product or service in one part of the world, it does not mean that it will succeed in Japan. Doing your market research is crucial to establish whether you can make it work in Japan. Certain industries are area-specific, which means that you also need to research the business locations.
Once your due diligence is done, then you can go over and start developing an online presence. To do this effectively, you need to make use of an agency, especially when it comes to translating and adapting your packaging for the Japanese market.