We help overseas companies enter the Japanese market, and Japanese companies expand abroad. Beyond market research and strategy, we handle trade shows, finding partners, and launching and running operations on the ground, with one point of contact from start to finish.
Both directions: into Japan and from JapanOverseas expansionBased in Japan, we combine online work with on-site visits.
We support companies from Europe, the US and China with the practical work of entering the Japanese market: managing deals with Japanese buyers, building sales channels through distributors and system integrators, selling through e-commerce marketplaces and retail, and setting up a Japanese entity.
We support Japanese companies expanding into Europe, the US, China and Southeast Asia, from researching each country’s regulations and distribution to trade-show meetings, choosing distributors and getting the first deals under way.
We research market size, competitors, pricing, regulations and certifications, and distribution, and assess whether entry is viable.
We define target customers, channels, pricing, team and budget, and draw up a plan that fits local business practice.
We handle everything from choosing the show and booking meetings in advance to preparing local-language materials and the booth, staffing it during the show and following up afterward.
We create sales materials and websites in the local language and in line with local business practice, and can run social media and other channels.
We find and evaluate candidate distributors, resellers and partners, join the meetings and help set out the terms.
Ongoing support for coordinating with local teams and partners, launching sales and running operations.
Market entry tends to stall not at the research stage but at what follows: meetings, choosing partners and getting the first deals under way. The examples below are illustrative.
01
ChallengeThe service is proven abroad, but Japanese companies take time over internal approvals and security reviews, and direct sales from overseas aren’t moving deals forward.
PartnersSpecialist areas such as legal and tax are handled by qualified professionals we work with
02
ChallengeExhibiting at local trade shows produces business cards but no ongoing business. Each country’s regulations and distribution aren’t well understood either.
PartnersCertification and export procedures are handled by specialist providers we work with
03
ChallengeInformation on local channels and partners is hard to find in Japanese, and it’s unclear whether to start with cross-border e-commerce or general trade (conventional import).
PartnersDifficult questions, such as regulatory changes, are checked with local experts
04
ChallengeThe products sell well overseas, but Japan’s labeling and advertising rules, import procedures and the way each e-commerce marketplace works are unfamiliar, so it’s hard to know where to start.
PartnersImport procedures and compliance checks on labeling and advertising claims (under Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, etc.) are handled with specialists
In practice, each engagement is designed around your product, region and team.
We don’t stop at research: we support execution on the ground.
01
We learn your goals and situation, and map out the approach.
02
We research the market, and set the entry plan and priorities.
03
We move ahead with trade shows, marketing and finding partners.
04
Ongoing support for running and growing the business on the ground.
Free
We learn about your situation and challenges, and suggest a way forward. Online or in person.
From¥200,000excl. tax
Market research, trade shows, finding partners and more, with scope and timeline agreed up front.
From¥200,000per month, excl. tax
We act as your team on the ground, month to month, from launch through day-to-day operations, much like a fractional country manager.
Quotes are fixed-price, based on the agreed scope and timeline. Expenses such as booth fees and travel, and fees for licensed professionals (for company registration, visas, etc.), are separate. If any additional cost becomes necessary, we discuss it with you first.
For entry into Japan, we mainly support companies from Europe, the US and China; for expansion abroad, we focus on Europe, the US, China and Southeast Asia.
Public programs are useful for gathering market information and for first introductions. We take on what comes after: preparing for and joining negotiations, settling terms with distributors and partners, meeting buyers at trade shows, and running operations on the ground. You can use us alongside public support.
Yes. We cover selling on marketplaces such as Amazon and Rakuten, working with wholesalers and retailers, and arranging imports and logistics. Checks on labeling and advertising claims (under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, etc.) are carried out with specialists.
Yes. We work with the relevant licensed specialists, such as judicial scriveners for company registration and administrative scriveners for visas. We manage the overall process and the communication with each of them. Their fees are charged separately.
Yes. We can take on only the parts you need, and the scope can be expanded later.
We work directly in Japanese, English and Chinese. For other languages, we work with local partners as needed.
Yes, from the consultation stage.
As a guide, market research starts at ¥200,000, trade shows and partner and channel development at ¥300,000, and local partnerships and operations at ¥200,000 per month (excluding consumption tax). Expenses such as booth fees and travel are separate. We provide a quote once scope and timeline are agreed.
The first consultation is free. We meet online or in person, and reply within two business days.