Articles
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Mar 08 2023
Japan’s Best Ecommerce Platforms for 2023
When Western brands ask which of Japan’s ecommerce platforms is best for their market entry strategy, we recommend Amazon 99% of the time. However, choosing your first platform to start selling on is a big decision when other platforms like Rakuten still offer huge potential for online sellers. To make the choice a little easier, here’s our overview of the ecommerce landscape and a few important things foreign merchants should consider, based on real experience and insights from our team in Tokyo—Japan’s largest ecommerce market. Table of Contents Overview of the Japanese ecommerce market Top ecommerce platforms by visitors Amazon Rakuten Yahoo! Shopping Japan Au Pay Market (Wowma) PayPay Mall Qoo10 Japan ZOZOTOWN Lohaco Most popular Japanese flea market/auction platforms in Japan The outlook for ecommerce platforms in Japan How to choose the best ecommerce platform in Japan for your business Steal our best ideas!
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Mar 07 2023
Rakuten vs Amazon — What’s the Best Japanese Ecommerce Platform?
As well as having the fourth largest ecommerce market globally, consumer purchasing power is high and households have shown a willingness to purchase a wide range of foreign goods—evidenced by the country’s position as fourth largest importer of goods globally. However, one decision pretty much all businesses owners and ecommerce managers find themselves chewing over is, which platform to use—Rakuten or Amazon? Our default recommendation for new clients seeking advice from our Tokyo office is always Amazon, but read on to find out why! Table of Contents Ecommerce marketplaces vs other channels Amazon Japan Associated costs Getting started on Amazon Japan Important tips for selling on Amazon Japan Rakuten Associated costs Getting started on Rakuten Important tips for selling on Rakuten Japan Rakuten or Amazon? Steal some of our best ideas! Building a Japanese Ecommerce Strategy? Let Us Help!
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Mar 07 2023
Japan Market Analysis – Key Insights for 2023
As well as being home to the fourth largest ecommerce market globally, Japan is the world's fourth largest importer of goods. However, despite its attractiveness on paper, many businesses are tripped up by some very real barriers to entry. We explore what these are as well as offer some on-the-ground insights into where some major opportunities lie for Western brands considering an entry into the market. Getting to Know the Japanese Ecommerce Market? We Can Help! Japan Market Analysis — 2023 Summary Japan is still the third largest economy in the world after the United States and China, as well as the fourth largest ecommerce market globally. Japan is the world's fifth largest exporter and fourth largest importer of goods with foreign trade accounting for 37% of the country's GDP (World Bank, 2023). Its main partners are China, the United States, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. The Japanese population is l
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Feb 04 2023
Japan Online Advertising – 5 Key Trends for 2023
Advertising in Japan can feel quite different sometimes. On one level, adverts can appear more visually impactful and diverse than content you’ll commonly find in most Western countries—showcasing colour, animations and aesthetic themes in a unique way. At other times, ads can feel extremely detached from the product or brands they are promoting, with even the most corporate entities relying on cute and eccentric content. We explore some of these intriguing differences and take a look at some of the most important 2023 trends in the world of online advertising in Japan. Creating an Advertising Strategy for the Japanese Market? Our PPC Services Japanese Advertising Market Overview Japan has one of the biggest and most mature advertising sectors in the world, with expenditures smaller than only the US and China. The digital advertising sector has seen huge growth recently despite initial reluctance to move away
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Feb 04 2023
Japan Logistics Market At A Glance
As well as having the fourth largest ecommerce market globally, Japan has a robust and rapidly growing logistics sector. This is supported by the country’s strategic geographic location at the heart of the APAC region, as well as advanced cloud-based supply chain management systems. We explore all this and more in our overview of Japan’s logistics market. Have Questions About the Japanese Logistics Market? Contact Us! Key Data and Insights Japan’s central position in APAC offers a strategic advantage when it comes to trade—many nations use Japanese ports as part of their global supply chain. As emerging markets like Indonesia continue to develop, Japan’s logistics market will also benefit The freight and logistics market in Japan alone is expected to see an annual growth rate of more than 4% between 2022 and 2027, according to Mordor Intelligence. Approximately 3.5 million people on average worked in the J
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Feb 04 2023
Logistics companies in Japan - Top 8 Freight and Logistics Services
Growth in Japan’s freight and logistics market is largely driven by the sheer size of the nation’s ecommerce market, which is the fourth largest globally. Other important factors include the country’s essential role in the APAC region as a buyer and seller of regional goods; strong exports to Europe and the US; and, an affluent local population with an appetite for products of all kinds. We explore all this and more in our roundup of Japan’s top freight and logistics companies. Building a Japanese Ecommerce Strategy? Let Us Help! The Japanese Logistics Landscape Japan is at the centre of the APAC region, which is predicted to become the largest logistics market globally thanks to the expected growth of emerging economies in the region over the next decade. It also has an excellent port network and increasingly sophisticated logistics facilities. According to Mordor Intelligence, Japan’s freight and logis
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Jan 30 2023
Japan Logistics Industry Overview – Drivers, Trends and Consumer Insights
Japan’s logistics industry is a fast-moving, essential sector currently undergoing rapid development and structural change to meet the needs of both businesses and consumers in the APAC region. We outline some of the major trends taking place, key drivers of growth for the market and insights into how consumer demand and technology is continuing to shape the landscape. Building a Japanese Ecommerce Strategy? Let Us Help! The Japanese Logistics Industry Overview The Japan freight and logistics market is expected to grow steadily over the next few years, partly thanks to the country’s burgeoning ecommerce market. Today, Japan has the third largest ecommerce market globally, after the US and China. Importing goods from the region and further away; storage and fulfilment; and transportation and delivery services all contribute to this complex landscape. Sales value of Logistics Market in Japan (In Trillion JPY) 20
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Dec 20 2022
Advertise in Japan - Industry Overview, Trends & Key Insights
Last Updated: March 29, 2024 Many are familiar with Japan’s seemingly bizarre and unusual approach to advertising—incorporating elements of cuteness, silliness and extravagance in a way we rarely see in Western countries. Yet, in one of the world's biggest and most advertising sectors, where longstanding dynamics between media companies, big corporations, traditional advertising, and talent agents are entrenched, there is a method to the madness. For those looking to advertise in Japan and engage the local consumer market, here’s our industry overview! Advertising in Japan — Market Overview Need Help With Leveling Up Your Japanese Advertising Strategy? Start Your Journey Here! Top Ways to Advertise In Japan Source: Statista Until not long ago, television was the most popular way to capture the attention of Japanese consumers. After several years of strong growth however, online ads eventually overtook te
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Dec 20 2022
Ecommerce in Japan — Data, Trends & Actionable Insights
As well as being the fourth largest ecommerce market in the world with excellent logistics infrastructure and a domestic population that has significant purchasing power, consumers have a strong appetite for Western products that are localized and marketed in the right way! From the traditional barriers to entry that typically deter online merchants to the key opportunities that exist here, below is our window into the world of ecommerce in Japan. Ecommerce in Japan — Market Overview Building a Japanese Ecommerce Strategy? Start Your Journey A Crash Course from the Humble Bunny Team! If you do nothing else, watch this short video of our team breaking down some of the most important points and takeaways from this article, covering what ecommerce businesses owners need to prepare for and top tips on how to make sure you get off to a great start with any ecommerce marketing strategy. Most Popular Online Shopping Segments
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Dec 19 2022
Top Ecommerce Companies in Japan
As the fourth largest ecommerce market in the world, it’s no surprise that several domestic and foreign ecommerce companies are active here. While Amazon enjoys the largest share of the market, there are also many homegrown Japanese companies like Rakuten and Mercari that have grown into giants in their own right, with operations now expanding internationally. Building a Japanese Ecommerce Strategy? Let Us Help! Overview of the Japanese Ecommerce Market in 2022 The sheer size of Japan's ecommerce market is impressive, considering its modest size and population compared to countries like the US and China, which it now ranks third after in terms of market size. This is partly thanks to multiple factors, including the developed nature of the society, stability of the economy and a consumer appetite for high quality or luxury brands. A few more drivers of growth include: The country has an excellent logistics infrastruc
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