JAPAN INSIGHTS

Your Practical Guide to Entering and Thriving in the Japanese Market

v10.0
Japan Market Strategy Pathfinder
Identify hidden risks and discover your optimal entry strategy in 30 seconds.
Question 1 of 3
B2B Distribution Model Target: Master Distributors, Trading Companies, and Corporate Procurement.
B2C / Retail Model Target: E-commerce (Amazon/Rakuten), Retail Chains, and D2C.
Market Assessment & Setup Target: Understand Visa requirements, Incorporation costs, and basic hurdles.
Q1. You found a list of potential distributors. What is your initial outreach strategy?
A. Direct Email Pitch (Cold Outreach) Send our product catalog and price list directly to their general inquiry email.
B. Trust-Based Approach Seek an introduction or craft a highly localized, credibility-first inquiry.
Q2. How will you manage your distributor after signing the contract?
A. Set Monthly Sales KPIs If they don't hit the target, we will switch partners.
B. Provide Co-Marketing Support We will invest resources to help them sell, building long-term trust.
Q3. Regarding marketing budget, who is responsible for creating local demand?
A. The Distributor should pay We give them exclusive rights; they should handle all local marketing costs.
B. Shared / HQ Investment We understand that distributors are logistics partners, not brand builders.
Q1. Regarding product packaging and labeling for Japan, you plan to:
A. Use a Sticker Label Keep original English packaging and just stick a Japanese label on the back.
B. Redesign for Compliance We will localize packaging to meet Japan's strict recycling and display laws.
Q2. Japanese consumers check 3-5 channels before buying. What is your plan?
A. Focus Only on Amazon JP We will minimize costs by selling only on one platform first.
B. Omni-Channel Presence We will have a brand site and social media to validate trust.
Q3. How do you view Inbound Tourists (from Asia) in your Japan strategy?
A. Not a priority We are targeting domestic Japanese locals only.
B. Key Leverage Point We can leverage inbound momentum to build initial traction.
Q1. Are you considering a "Virtual Office" for your company registration?
A. Yes, to save costs. We want to minimize monthly burn rate initially.
B. No, we need a Physical Office. We need a physical address for bank accounts and credibility.
Q2. What is your understanding of the Business Manager Visa capital requirement?
A. 5 Million JPY is enough We will just deposit the minimum 5M JPY to get the visa.
B. Capital + Operational Plan We know 5M is the floor, but we need to prove burn-rate sustainability.
Q3. What is your hiring plan for the first 90 days?
A. Hire immediately We want to hire a Country Manager before the entity is fully set up.
B. Setup First, Hire Later We will secure the entity and bank account before committing to labor contracts.
STRATEGY ANALYSIS RESULT
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    Start Over

    Stage 1 – Market Evaluation

    Assessing market potential, competition, and consumer behavior before committing to entry.

    Stage 2 – Company Establishment & Regulatory Setup

    How to legally and structurally establish your presence in Japan.


    Stage 3 – Product Import & Certification

    Ensuring your product meets Japanese compliance and labeling standards.

    More details about regulations or import issues can be found on our regulations page.

    Stage 4 – Channel Development & Partnership Building

    Designing your route-to-market: distributors, retailers, and digital channels.