Japan business guides

Plan your entry into Japan.

Practical guides to selling in Japan, choosing local partners, and building your Japan operation. You will also find guidance for working with Japanese suppliers.

Featured Articles

Illustrative discussion of product samples and a route to the Japanese market

SalesSep 26, 2026

How to Sell Products in Japan: From First Interest to a Practical Sales Plan

Choose a customer, test your offer, compare sales channels and prepare the materials and responsibilities needed to start selling in Japan.

A research team comparing consumer products and market information

Market researchApr 30, 2026

Japan Market Research Checklist for a Practical Entry Decision

Test customer demand, alternatives, pricing, channel economics, and operating requirements before committing to a Japan launch.

Company formation documents and a seal arranged for review

SetupApr 30, 2026

How to Set Up a Company in Japan

Plan the entity, documents, funding, advisers, and post-registration handover needed to turn a Japan incorporation into a working business.

Product samples and a market map reviewed during a sales planning discussion

SalesApr 30, 2026

Finding Sales Partners and Distributors in Japan

Define the right partner, compare commercial models, prepare an outreach brief, and evaluate distributors before agreeing to exclusivity in Japan.

A supplier and buyer examining component samples at a workshop table

SourcingMar 15, 2024

Sourcing from Japanese SMEs: From Supplier Search to First Order

Prepare a purchase brief, compare supplier quotations, evaluate samples, and organize the first production and export handover.

All Articles

Illustrative desktop and mobile B2B product page wireframes with specifications and an inquiry form beside a product sample.

SalesOct 17, 2026

Localizing B2B Product Pages for Japan: From Copy to Inquiry

Build Japanese B2B product pages around buyer questions, approved specifications, useful evidence, accessible forms, and a clear handoff to your sales team.

Illustrative packaging development workbench with an open rigid gift box, kraft carton, die-cut blank and paper material swatches.

SourcingOct 17, 2026

Sourcing Custom Packaging in Japan: Write a Usable Brief

Prepare a custom-packaging brief with clear dimensions, materials, artwork, evidence, prototypes, quantities, packing, and production approval responsibilities.

Illustrative calculator, shipping paperwork, small carton and weighing scale on a desk with a port in the distance for import landed-cost planning.

Trade GuideOct 17, 2026

Importing from Japan: A Landed-Cost Worksheet for Buyers

Compare Japanese supplier offers with a practical landed-cost worksheet covering delivery terms, missing charges, currencies, evidence, and order assumptions.

Illustrative project planning board with three stages, calendar sheets, a product prototype and research notes for validating a Japan market entry.

Market researchOct 17, 2026

A 90-Day Japan Market Validation Plan with Decision Gates

Plan a focused 90-day Japan market test with research, buyer conversations, an offer, evaluation steps, and evidence-based decisions about the next investment.

Illustrative brochures, specification sheets and an industrial product sample prepared as B2B sales materials.

SalesOct 17, 2026

Japanese B2B Sales Materials: A Practical Preparation Checklist

Prepare Japanese B2B sales materials around the buyer’s next decision, with product evidence, evaluation steps, delivery information, and clear approval owners.

Illustrative editorial scene contrasting a sales representative's briefcase and notebook with boxed inventory in a warehouse-side office.

SalesOct 17, 2026

Sales Agent vs Distributor in Japan: A Responsibility Worksheet

Compare a sales agent and distributor in Japan through invoicing, stock, compensation, support, and customer visibility before choosing a commercial model.

Illustrative editorial scene of unbranded company dossiers, a magnifying glass, a simple checklist, and a laptop showing warehouse inventory for distributor due diligence.

SalesOct 17, 2026

Japan Distributor Due Diligence: An Evidence Checklist

Check a Japanese distributor’s identity, buyer access, capacity, commercial proposal, and reporting before committing stock, credit, or exclusive rights.

Illustrative arrangement of a small pilot tray of machined components beside larger shipping cartons for minimum order quantity planning.

SourcingOct 17, 2026

Negotiating MOQ with Japanese Suppliers: Build a Workable Pilot Order

Understand order minimums, production batches, and pack multiples, then compare pilot options by upfront cash, inventory exposure, and agreed delivery commitments.

Illustrative product development workbench with a disassembled prototype, design sketches, finished housing and material samples.

SourcingOct 17, 2026

OEM vs ODM in Japan: Define Design Ownership Before You Source

Compare buyer-led and supplier-led product development in Japan, with a practical ownership register, sample approval gates, and a process for design changes.

Illustrative procurement desk with a machined metal bracket, calipers, technical drawing and blank quotation form.

SourcingOct 17, 2026

Japan Supplier RFQ Template: Specifications, Quantities, and Comparable Quotes

Build a practical RFQ for Japanese suppliers: separate essential specifications from preferences, request useful volume tiers, and compare quotes on one basis.

Illustrative discussion of product samples and a route to the Japanese market

SalesSep 26, 2026

How to Sell Products in Japan: From First Interest to a Practical Sales Plan

Choose a customer, test your offer, compare sales channels and prepare the materials and responsibilities needed to start selling in Japan.

Accounting records, receipts, and a calculator being reviewed

TaxApr 30, 2026

Tax and Accounting Basics for Foreign Companies in Japan

Organize bookkeeping, tax advice, invoicing, parent-company transactions, and monthly reporting before your Japan operation starts trading.

A business owner and banking adviser reviewing application documents

FinanceApr 30, 2026

How to Open a Corporate Bank Account in Japan

Prepare business evidence, ownership information, transaction flows, and account requirements for a Japanese corporate banking application.

A research team comparing consumer products and market information

Market researchApr 30, 2026

Japan Market Research Checklist for a Practical Entry Decision

Test customer demand, alternatives, pricing, channel economics, and operating requirements before committing to a Japan launch.

A founder discussing a relocation timeline with an adviser

VisaApr 30, 2026

Japan Business Visa Basics for Foreign Companies

Prepare the role, business evidence, funding, and setup dependencies for an immigration consultation, including the October 2025 Business Manager changes.

Company formation documents and a seal arranged for review

SetupApr 30, 2026

How to Set Up a Company in Japan

Plan the entity, documents, funding, advisers, and post-registration handover needed to turn a Japan incorporation into a working business.

An employee onboarding discussion with an HR adviser

HiringApr 30, 2026

Hiring and Payroll in Japan — A First-Employee Planning Guide

Prepare the employing structure, role, offer, payroll calendar, insurance review, and management support before making your first hire in Japan.

Product samples and a market map reviewed during a sales planning discussion

SalesApr 30, 2026

Finding Sales Partners and Distributors in Japan

Define the right partner, compare commercial models, prepare an outreach brief, and evaluate distributors before agreeing to exclusivity in Japan.

A hand rearranging a launch plan beside product samples and a retail map

Market entryApr 30, 2026

Common Japan Market Entry Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Identify gaps between demand, partner selection, localization, staffing, and setup before they turn a Japan launch into disconnected projects.

Packaged tea, soy sauce, and noodles beside an export carton

Food & BeverageApr 10, 2024

Importing Japanese Food Products: A Buyer’s Preparation Guide

Review ingredients, labels, organic claims, shelf life, transport conditions, and traceability before placing an order with a Japanese food producer.

A technician measuring a machined component with a micrometer

ManufacturingApr 1, 2024

Sourcing Precision Parts from Japan: A Technical Buyer’s Guide

Prepare an RFQ, assess process and measurement capability, qualify samples, and plan the move from prototype to repeat production.

Hands shaping a ceramic vessel on a pottery wheel

Crafts & TraditionalMar 25, 2024

Buying Japanese Craft Products for an Overseas Retail Market

Verify provenance, agree handmade variation, assess intended use, and plan packaging, production, and repeat orders with Japanese craft suppliers.

Documents being checked beside a laptop

Quality & StandardsMar 20, 2024

Checking Japanese Supplier Certifications: A Buyer’s Evidence Guide

Distinguish management systems, product certification, test reports, and regulatory evidence, then verify the entity, site, scope, and claim.

A supplier and buyer examining component samples at a workshop table

SourcingMar 15, 2024

Sourcing from Japanese SMEs: From Supplier Search to First Order

Prepare a purchase brief, compare supplier quotations, evaluate samples, and organize the first production and export handover.

A technician working at an industrial production station

Industry InsightsFeb 28, 2024

Evaluating Japanese Manufacturing Quality: What Buyers Should Verify

Assess inspection, measurement, traceability, certificates, change control, and corrective action at the factory that will make your product.

Container ships and cranes at a cargo terminal

Trade GuideJan 20, 2024

Exporting Goods from Japan: Documents, Responsibilities, and Shipping Checks

Coordinate the supplier, broker, freight provider, and destination importer before dispatch, with a practical document and shipping checklist.

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