Frequently Asked Questions

And if you have any additional questions, please call or e-mail us.

Why Export?

1. You already have a sizable investment in infrastructure. Exporting allows you to increase sales without having to invest in additional infrastructure. This directly increases your bottom line.
2. Foreign markets are far less competitive, especially when there is particular demand for American products, as is the case in Japan.
   

Why Japan?

The Japanese are quickly discovering that they can order from American companies via the Internet and…

1. Buy things unavailable in Japan,
2. Buy things cheaper, (shipping costs are far less than the additional cost Japan's famous multi-tiered distribution system adds;)
3. Buy things from America, which in and of itself is prestigious.
   

What is the market size?

Japan imports over $695 billion* in good and services from America. Reports of trade imbalance notwithstanding, Japan imports a lot from America and will continue to do so.

*JETRO

Isn't it atrociously expensive to ship product across the Pacific?

The Japanese multi-layered distribution system inflates prices far more than this. So, bypassing these intermediates saves far more than shipping adds. And the Japanese are flocking to the Internet which is the ultimate disintermediary.

What is the first step to market my website in Japan?

To have your website translated into Japanese. websites in English are rarely read by the Japanese. It is important to make your web site user-friendly to the Japanese.

What kinds of products don't work in Japan?

Anything oversized. You need to first think of the limited space over there.

Besides translation, how does a website need to be modified?

Americans prefer clean and simple sites, but the Japanese prefer sites with lots of information. If you can add some fun information to your site other than your product info, it will work better.