Comparison of Japan’s Top Three E-Commerce Marketplaces: Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping
Introduction For international brands expanding into Japan’s e-commerce market, choosing between Amazon Japan and Rakuten Ichiba is a critical decision. Yahoo! Shopping also plays a significant role domestically, particularly through its integration with the PayPay ecosystem, though it remains less accessible to overseas sellers. Each platform offers distinct strengths in audience behavior, costs, and visibility. […]
From Online to Offline: Using Meta Ads to Drive Store Sales in Japan
Until recently, Japanese brands investing in Meta ads had little visibility into what happened after a user clicked. Did that customer end up visiting the store? Did they purchase offline? These questions remained unanswered. With Meta’s Offline Conversions API (CAPI), Japanese retailers can finally track how digital ads contribute to real-world sales—closing the gap between […]
TikTok Shop Officially Launches in Japan
On June 30, 2025, TikTok Shop officially launched in Japan, introducing an all-in-one in-app shopping experience where users can discover, engage, and purchase products without leaving the TikTok app. This move positions TikTok as a serious contender in Japan’s competitive e-commerce landscape—bringing its successful “shoppertainment” model to one of the world’s most digitally mature markets. […]
Japan’s Advertising Market Outlook: Social Media Hits ¥1Tn Milestone
Japan’s Advertising Market Outlook: Social Media Hits ¥1Tn Milestone Japan Ad Spend shifting to Social, Video, and CTV, powering growth in 2024. Based on insights from Dentsu’s 2024 advertising report, Japan’s ad market maintained strong momentum last year, achieving a total spend of ¥7,673 billion (~USD 53 billion), up 4.9% year-over-year despite economic challenges like […]
Mercari Ads: A New Player in Japan’s Online Retail Media Market
On February 6, 2025, Mercari officially launched Mercari Ads, marking its entry into Japan’s rapidly growing online retail media market, which is projected to exceed ¥1 trillion by 2028. With 23 million monthly users, Mercari now offers a click-based advertising platform designed to help brands connect with engaged shoppers. Mercari Ads: A New Way to […]
TikTok in Japan: Is It a Viable Marketing Platform?
Digital Marketing in Japan: Should You Use TikTok? Unlock the potential of TikTok in Japan—high engagement, untapped opportunities, and key considerations for your brand. TikTok has undeniably become a global phenomenon, and Japan is no exception. But despite its massive user base, TikTok remains underutilized by Japanese businesses for customer acquisition. The platform dominates user […]
How to Use LINE for Marketing: Insights for Engaging Japan’s Most Connected Audience
How to Use LINE for Marketing: Insights for Engaging Japan’s Most Connected Audience Unlock the full potential of LINE to connect, captivate, and convert Japan’s digitally savvy consumers. With over 90 million monthly active users, LINE is not just Japan’s most popular messaging app—it’s a cornerstone of everyday life. From communication to shopping, and news, […]