Guest Articles When it comes to Japanese products, they are known all over the world for their quality, precision, and reliability. Quality in products, quality in service. From medieval katana making to modern car manufacturing, there is something very special about how the Japanese excel in quality and subconsciously seek quality in anything, more than other nations.
Business Despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese startups managed to raise a cumulative total of ¥461.1 billion JPY ($4.3 billion USD) in 2020, seeing just a 10% decline compared with 2019. In this article, we give an overview of 5 Japanese startups to watch in 2021. Which of them will see continued success, and which were mostly riding on a temporary wave of interest?
Industries Japan boasts a dynamic and expanding fintech industry. In 2019, Japan’s fintech market size was estimated at $3.2 billion USD and it was forecasted that this could increase to over $10 billion USD by 2022. Regarding fintech sub-segments, Japan’s cryptocurrency, digital payments and crowdfunding segments particularly merit discussion given their growth and activity in recent years. Here, we look at those particular segments within Japan’s fintech sector and highlight obstacles and opportunities for foreign companies looking to collaborate or invest.
Industries Virtual personalities in Japan have been taking off as we’re seeing the likes of so-called ‘CGI Influencers’ such as Imma and Liam Nikuro raking in significant profits for the companies that created them. Notable digital agencies outside of Japan include Brud (creator of LA-based robot Lil Miquela and Blawko) and Virtual Influencer Agency (VIA). This is especially the case during the COVID-19 pandemic as it completely erases the need for models to be physically present at a given location.
Consumer Insights Here’s a rundown of 3 key categories featuring cooling items, perfect for summer in Japan 2021.
Industries In this article, we take a look at the trends and challenges that exist in Japan’s craft beer sector, and where the opportunities lie for collaboration.
Industries Japan is a notoriously difficult market to crack. Even many successful, established businesses entering Japan from overseas do not bother to tailor their marketing and product or service appropriately to suit Japanese audiences. This applies to the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry just as much as any other. The SaaS market in Japan is bigger than the other SaaS markets in Asia. If you invest a proper amount of time and effort, you can find many amazing opportunities generated by underserved audiences.
Read more “The SaaS Market in Japan: Overview and Opportunities”
Industries Since 2008, growth in Japan’s organic market has been marginal. Still, overall Japanese consumer awareness of organic as a concept is on the rise, along with other categories like free-from, natural, and vegan. Supermarkets like AEON have been increasing their line-up of organic and natural products in order to meet the growing demand, including everyday staples like rice, miso and tea.
Japan also has few organic exports to other countries, with what is produced being consumed domestically. Australia, the US and Europe are some of the key international markets exporting their organic goods to Japan. Because Japanese consumers are still learning about the benefits of organic and what sets it apart, there is significant room for development over the next few years.
Read more “Ways to Break into Japan’s Organic Market”
Guest Articles 
In the light of Brexit, many UK based companies are exploring Japan as a potential export market.
I have been working inside and outside of Japan for over 25 years. With my design company The Division and our Tokyo partners we help companies to navigate, design and communicate better for the Japanese market. And conversely help Japanese companies to export their unique Japanese identity to overseas markets.
Our work covers a broad spectrum including the design of consumer electronics, automotive and health and beauty products. Our clients include Brother, Dell, Denso, Kohler, Nissan, Panasonic, Shark, Shiseido, Sunstar, Toto and Zojirushi among many others. Our work for these brands has been successful from a business viewpoint as well as winning many coveted global design awards.
Read more “Guest Article: Designing for Export to Japan”
Interviews We recently chatted with a PR expert in Japan, Mr. Yusuke Kamimura from PR & digital marketing agency ShapeWin Corporation. He delivered some key insights for businesses looking to promote themselves in the Japanese market. Here, we have condensed them down into 4 quick tips.
Introduction message from Mr. Yusuke Kamimura:
“My name is Yusuke Kamimura. I am the President of ShapeWin, which is a PR & digital marketing agency based in Tokyo, Japan. In 2007, I graduated from Tokuyama National College of Technology and majored in computer science and electronics.
I later joined SEGA TOYS as a marketing executive and product producer. In this role, I was involved in marketing toy products and appliances using popular children icons such as Doraemon, Anpanman, and Disney characters.
In 2011, I decided to go independent, and I founded ShapeWin Corporation. My vision is to provide marketing strategy & PR, and sales support for various startups across Japan and abroad.
Over the past 10 years, ShapeWin has successfully supported the development and promoted numerous startups from their beginnings all the way to IPO launch.”
