Key in your market entry strategy is some market research. Of course there are reports on market size and market growth, but often these are general. Specific knowledge on how your product is perceived and what your competitions is, is harder to get but more valuable.
Our local consultant can advise you on the best way to enter the market, based on market and competition research.
Japan is known for its unique blend of traditional and modern culture. As of 2023, Japan has a population of about 125 million. It is notable for its technological advancements, rich cultural heritage, and influential economy.
Japan’s economy, with a GDP per capita of around $40,000 USD in 2023, is one of the most advanced in the world. Major industries include automobiles, electronics, robotics, and manufacturing. The country is also known for its strong emphasis on research and development.
Japan’s primary imports are machinery and equipment, fossil fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, and raw materials for its industries.
Key cities include Tokyo, the capital and world’s largest metropolitan area; Osaka, known for its modern architecture and nightlife; Kyoto, famous for its historic temples and traditions; and Yokohama, a major port and commercial hub.
The Japanese retail industry is dubbed as being a sophisticated market and is the 3rd largest market for fashion after China and USA. Over the years, the country’s retail sector has been exhibiting moderate growth. Currently, there are around 3,124 shopping malls, 52,417 convenience stores and 240 department stores spread across Japan. In the Shinjuku Isetan Department Store Alone, retail sales amount to about 900 million JPY per day.
The country recently suffered from deflation, a decrease in the price level of goods and services. One of the affected sectors was the home furnishing market which experienced a downward trend. But as the housing market is picking up, the home furnishing sector is also starting to recover. In the mid-price segment, competition is not so stiff which gives opportunities for business brands to target customers looking for high-quality products with value for money.
Japan is globally famous for its advanced skincare market. It is popular for its premium products, the overall value of which amount to 1500 billion JPY. These items include serums, scalp care products, moisturizers and more. The men’s care segment amounts to 150 billion JPY. With Japanese brands known for their effective products, the country is projected to occupy the largest skincare market in Asia.
Based on the data from MAFF, Food Balance, the following comprise the consumption percentage share of the Japanese:
47% of Japanese consumers shop for their grocery requirements at supermarkets while 32% of customers prefer GMS and 7% go to CVS. Smaller supermarkets account for 5% of the total consumption market share in the country.
Apart from capturing the retail opportunities for the younger group, there is an untapped elderly market. Over the years, the elder age bracket in Japan has purchasing power. On an average, the savings of the elderly group amount to about 30 million JPY. One-fourth of the country’s population is comprised of elders aged 65 years old and more.
Asia is considered to be the biggest regional cell phone market. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than half of the world’s share when it comes to mobile phone shipments. In the region, Samsung has the highest market share. In Japan, Apple has the highest market share with more than 34% of individuals who prefer to use Apple phones. Japanese companies and other global brands have the following market share:
The best preparation for doing business in any country is visiting it. This way you can experience the culture, check the shops and build your network.
If you have a consumer product that you can’t sell directly from your home country to your end customer, you need at least one step in between. This can be a distributor (who also acts as wholesaler or importer), a big retailer directly, or it can be a large web shop. Let’s look at the pro’s and con’s of each option.
For a B2B product that is not a commodity or for customized solutions the story is different. Here sales needs to be done in alignment with the department that actually delivers the service or that determines the price case by case. Also then you have three different options.
As counts for any country: you first have to define the target group that you want to sell to. If these are businesses, then you can reach out directly through emails and targeted advertisements, e.g. on LinkedIn. If this arouses interest and gives a sufficient response rate, then you may have found an easy way to get the market’s attention.
If your target group is more diffuse, or is a consumer group, then you have to rely more on advertising such as on Facebook or Instagram.
With the tooling of our partner Instantly.ai you can define your target group, whether it’s 50 or 50.000 people. Send them a sequence of emails, directly in their inbox, for typically under 10 dollarcents per persoon.
First determine who are the end-users of your product or service. And where do they buy it now? The best way to determine the right entry strategy is to approach these parties. Would they consider your product or service as an alternative? Do they agree with the positioning that you have in mind? And what competitors are they buying from now? These data will help you determine the right strategy.