44. E-commerce in Japan 2024 with Rakuten

Osaka Kansai EXPO 2025 opens its doors this month. We had the pleasure of catching up again with Rupert Daniels, Director for Creative, Consumer, Sport and Education, Department for Business & Trade. The UK pavilion is showcasing the strengths of the UK as an innovative and creative force. Guided by our dynamic morphing mascot, PIX. Rupert and his team are taking advantage of the opportunity to promote and support British business and highlight the market for trade and export between our two countries. Along side the Expo, trade missions are providing an opportunity to showcase and learn more about the market. We will keep you up to date with what is happening during the Expo at our webpage https://exporttojapan.co.uk/sector/osaka-expo-2025/

What are the opportunities for international companies to acquire or merge with Japanese companies? We talk with expert, Yuuichiro-san, from Crimson Phoenix, about the global trends and current landscape for company mergers and acquisitions. It is great to once again speak with experts in their field to gain insight into doing business in Japan. Please check out our archive both on the Youtube channel and via the Export to Japan website - www.exporttojapan.co.uk

In this episode we delve into your digital reach in Japan. Jeff Crawford, as well as running his agency, Zo Digital (https://www.zodigital.jp/), also runs a marketing meet-up in Tokyo to bring together others in the field to talk about the latest trends and strategies to best reach your audience in Japan. Here, Steve and Jeff delve into the SEO and the differences operating in Japan for British companies used to a western market.

We talk with Deloitte Japan about the great initiative to collate the variety of grants and tax incentives that are available to non-Japanese companies.  For more information about the Japan incentive insights please watch the short film that the GI3 group have prepared: video And Visit the Japan incentive insights webpage 

As part of the the Department of Business & Trade's (DBT) International Trade Week in the autumn of 2024, Steve and guest Matthew Kyle, hosted a live version of the podcast with an added Q&A. We have scrubbed up the recording and tagged on a little extra intro from Steve, and here it is for you! Matt Kyle, CCO at WeConnect Japan, has years of experience supporting businesses set themselves up and build a team in Japan. He shares with us his insights on doing business in Japan as well as joining Steve to answer some questions from the live webinar audience. The Q&A section questions are as follows: (44:15) Are there any specifics for education and the higher education field in Japan? (45:12) Are there any recommended marketing channels or strategies that work particularly well in Japan? link to previous episode on marketing: Marketing in Japan with Nanako Aramaki of Tamlo | Export to Japan (49:52) Is the Japanese education market open to international students? (50:42) Can you share any insights on working with agents and distributors? Do you recommend doing trade shows independently or through a local partner? More information about the work that Matt does to support companies setting up in Japan can be found at WeConnect Japan. As Matt mentioned, he also runs Arigato Travel. Many thanks to Matt for taking the time to join us for this live session!  ——– The Export to Japan Podcast series is supported by The Foundation for International Trade and Industrial Co-operation (ITIC).

Market research expert Dominic Carter took time to talk to us about the ageing population in Japan and the challenges and opportunities rising from the unique demography of the country. Dominic introduced us to his Living Best initiative and paints us a picture of the 'slow-moving emergency' and the increasing space for assistive technology and aging relating innovation. Having been immersed in the consumer landscape since the 1990's, Dominic has a wealth of experience observing the consumer trends in Japan. For more information head to episode homepage: https://www.exporttojapan.co.uk/opportunity-in-japans-ageing-population-with-dominic-carter/ The Export to Japan Podcast series is supported by The Foundation for International Trade and Industrial Co-operation (ITIC).

Recorded toward the end of October - in anticipation of the recent launch - Steve got the chance to talk with Kanako Kato and Li Sakina from the Station AI Open Innovation Promotions Department.  We learn about the incubator hub established in Aiichi prefecture, and in the third biggest city in Japan, Nagoya. With already over 400 sign ups, the innovation centre is set to provide the perfect environment for innovative tech startups to get a foothold in Japan.  https://stationai.co.jp/   --------------------------------------------------------------  The Export to Japan Podcast series is supported by The Foundation for International Trade and Industrial Co-operation (ITIC).      

How a UK Tech Start up successfully built a partnership with one of Japan's leading insurance firms. Mind Foundry is a company that develops responsible and ethical AI solutions for various industries. Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance is the Japanese company with that teamed with them, bringing insurance expertise.  Together they have formed the Aioi R&D Lab. Spinning out of Oxford University with the support of a team of expert professorial advisors, they bring innovative algorithms and AI solutions to various sectors in the UK and Japanese marketplace. Steve was able to catch Aioi R&D Lab CEO, Junichi Ikegami, and Chief Technical Officer of Mind Foundry, Davide Zilli. A fascinating example of the unexpected and complex ways in which ventures can succeed in Japan! GUESTS:  Junichi Ikegami - CEO of Aioi R&D Lab, Oxford Davide Zilli - Chief Technical Officer of Mind Foundry Please visit the website: https://www.aioilab-oxford.eu/ You can view features on the latest projects via the 'Videos' page.    The Export to Japan Podcast series is supported by The Foundation for International Trade and Industrial Co-operation (ITIC).

This episode sees us catch up with Roger Berman of Zenworks. With over 30 years of experience in Japan, as both licensing agent and consultant, Roger is very well placed to help us understand what licensing is, and the state of the Japanese market for generating brand recognition. A very informative conversation, and some very useful information for anyone looking to bring their brand to the Japanese market, work with licensees and boost brand identity. We have a particular focus on the incredibly wide reach of characters in Japan. We talk about the market for characters among a wide and increasingly older demographic in Japan. And of course, the value of having characters linked with the ever-important manga and anime market in Japan, that has been increasing in prominence globally. We also touch on the rise of the V-Tuber, with Roger name-checking youtube.com/@GawrGura. 9 years ago Roger spoke to Export to Japan for a live webinar. We are well overdue a catch up! Find out more about ZenWorks at https://www.zenworks.jp/   ------------------------------------------------- The Export to Japan Podcast series is supported by The Foundation for International Trade and Industrial Co-operation (ITIC).

Wanting to sell online to the Japanese market? Essential listening for consumer and retail exporters! A new chat with Rakuten to talk about selling online in Japan. Steve talks with Senior Business Development Manager for Rakuten Group, Koki Araga.  Koki gives us the tips and advice for approaching e-commerce in Japan.  Rakuten landing page: https://marketplace.rakuten.net/  Koki Araga: Contact For more information on doing business in Japan head to our website Export to Japan