1) Overview of eCommerce Companies in Japan
The best eCommerce Companies in Japan are currently leading the market in terms of technology. As a result, Japan has become synonymous with technical advancement. For decades, the country has been recognized as a leading force in producing high-quality electronic products, resulting in a population of tech-savvy citizens with a thirst for innovation. With that as a precursor, it's not surprising that Japan is the world's fourth-largest e-commerce market, following China, the United States, and the Unted Kingdom.
However, it differs from many other parts of the world regarding usage and platforms. Many Japanese customers buy from trustworthy local eCommerce companies, with just 10.2 percent purchasing from international sellers.
Japanese customers have unique trends that do not follow suit elsewhere globally. According to J.P. Morgan's 2019 Payment Trends – Global Insights Report, the most popular retail categories online are travel, consumer electronics, furniture, and household items. Fashion is also one of the most popular goods categories, and many foreign label companies have successfully appealed to the Japanese mindset.
2) Top 10 eCommerce Companies in Japan [2022 Updated List]
While the usual foreign eCommerce companies are included in the top eCommerce websites in Japan, it is evident that local companies compete fiercely. Let ClickPost assist you today as you explore the top eCommerce companies in Japan.
2.1) Amazon Japan eCommerce Company
Amazon was founded in the United States as an online bookstore and eventually expanded into movies, electronics, fashion, furniture, food, toys, and jewelry. Amazon has become the undeniable global leader in e-commerce , having grown into several nations, including Japan. In 2000, Amazon.co.jp was launched to serve Japanese and Japanese-language speakers worldwide. Previously, Japan was Amazon.com's largest export market, with 193,000 customers and around $34 million yearly sales.
Amazon Japan is the country's fifth-largest website and the world's fifth-largest e-commerce site. Locally, Japanese consumers mostly use the site for news and media and e-commerce retail services, gaining access to various products such as electronics, fashion, furniture, toys, jewelry, media, and more.
Company name
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Amazon Japan
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Founded
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1994
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Founder
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Jeff Bezos
|
Headquarters
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Seattle, Washington, United States
|
Products, Services, and Benefits
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Electronics, Fashion, Home, Sports, Fitness, Kitchen, Beauty, health, Kids, Books, and Games.
|
Estimated number of monthly visitors
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597.18 million
|
2.2) Rakuten Ecommerce Website In Japan
The next website on our list is a highly successful local eCommerce platform ! Rakuten is a Japanese e-commerce giant that lets retailers sell directly to consumers in various categories, including electronics, clothing, accessories, home equipment, cosmetics, and more.
Rakuten has grown significantly since its establishment in 1997. In 2014, it established the phenomenally popular brand Rakuma, an e-commerce flea marketplace that mostly operates through mobile-commerce and has since led the peer-to-peer marketplace industry in Japan. In 2018, it combined with a former competitor, Fril.
Company name
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Rakuten
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Founded
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1997
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Founder
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Hiroshi Mikitani
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Headquarters
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Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
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Electronics, Fashion, Home, Sports, Fitness, Kitchen, Beauty, health, Kids, Books, and Games(
You’ll find a wide range of products, many of which are unique to Japan)
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
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532.01 million
|
2.3) Yahoo! Auctions Ecommerce Platform In Japan
Yahoo! Auctions Japan is the country's largest online auction and flea market app, allowing users to find products not seen on the standard Yahoo! Shopping site. While it is well known for its auction function, it also offers a fast-selling option for vendors, allowing buyers to make speedy purchases.
Yahoo! Auctions Japan is a subcategory of Yahoo! Japan's larger internet platform. Computers, home appliances, music, books, video games, antique collections, fashion, beauty, and much more are among the categories available on the site.
Company name
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Yahoo! Auctions Japan
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Founded
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1998
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Founder
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Masayoshi Son
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Headquarters
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Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
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Computers, home appliances and AV, music, books, video, games, antique collection, fashion, beauty.
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
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141.31 million
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2.4) Yahoo! Ecommerce Website In Japan
Yahoo! Shopping Japan is another popular trade e-commerce website in Japan. Alibaba, a Chinese company, and Soft Bank Group jointly operate Yahoo! Shopping. It is the 34th largest e-commerce website in Japan and the 5th largest e-commerce website globally.
Similar to Rakuten, it offers a diverse range of products to its customers, including accessories, appliances, baby and children's items, clothing, computer & technology products, electronics, gift items, food essentials, health & beauty products, home & garden products, jewelry, office supplies, toys, and other goods.
Company name
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Yahoo! shopping Japan
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Founded
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1998
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Founder
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Masayoshi Son
|
Headquarters
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Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
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Electronic appliances, baby and children's items, clothing, computer & technology products, electronics, gift items, food essentials, health & beauty products, home & garden products, jewelry, office supplies, toys, etc
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
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90.04 million
|
2.5) Mercari Ecommerce Platform In Japan
Mercari is another extremely popular peer-to-peer marketplace. The platform connects those in need of a product with others who want to sell products that are no longer useful. In 2013, an app was released that allowed Japanese customers to buy and sell their items and browse items from popular brands.
Fashion, toys, athletic goods, electronics, and other items are divided into categories. The application is well-known in Japan for its simplicity and innovative shipping mechanism, which allows users to send products anonymously from local convenience stores via Yamato Transport and Japan Post agreements.
Following its success in Japan, Mercari expanded its operations to the United States in 2014 and the United Kingdom in 2016. A live streaming feature and the Mercari Now service, which allows vendors to accept money instantaneously, are two of the app's standout features.
Company name
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Mercari
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Founded
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2013
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Founder
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Shintaro Yamada, Ryo Ishizuka, Tommy Tomishima
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Headquarters
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Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
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Electronic appliances,fashion, seasonal decor, collectibles, vintage goods, beauty etc
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
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85.11 million
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2.6) DMN.com Ecommerce Service Provider In Japan
DMM.com is a Japan-based electronic commerce and Internet company that offers various services, including online shopping and video on demand. DMM's e-commerce division focuses on digital items such as ebooks, online games, education services, and video on demand, as well as traditional DVD releases, mail orders, and online renting.
DMM has expanded its services since its foundation, including the solar panel sector, 3D printing industry, and even charity auctions, as well as currency services through DMM.com Securities.
Company name
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DMN
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Founded
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1999
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Founder
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Keishi Kameyama
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Headquarters
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Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
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Digital products like ebooks, video games, online games, media, educational media, online renting, 3D printing, solar panels, etc.
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
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73.79 million
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2.7) Zozo town eCommerce Company In Japan
Zozo Town is a Japanese fashion and footwear e-commerce platform formed in 2004 by an existing mail-order company, Start Today, which has been in the Japanese market for decades. Since its introduction, Zozo Town has swiftly grown to become Japan's most popular fashion-specific e-commerce site.
Zozo Town has its brands, which are presently sold in 72 countries. This comprises Zozo, a custom-fit apparel business, and Zozo Suit, an at-home measuring device. They offer their clients a wide range of items from both domestic and international companies, mainstream and niche.
Company name
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Zozo Town
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Founded
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2004
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Founder
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Yusaku Maezawa
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Headquarters
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Mihama-Ku, Chiba-shi
, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
|
Fashion retail
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
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56.44 million
|
2.8) Wowma eCommerce Company In Japan
Wowma is a Japanese online marketplace developed by KDDI. KDDI is the parent company of au mobile, one of the country's leading mobile phone operators. Wowma benefits from being a member of the KDDI because it is highly advertised to mobile customers in Japan. The site offers a catalog of regularly updated and updated things to guarantee that customers keep up to speed with trends, totaling more than 20 million products.
Company name
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Wowma
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Founded
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2017
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Founder
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KDDI(Government of Japan)
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Headquarters
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Chiyoda
, Tokyo, Japan
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Products, Services, and Benefits
|
Cosmetics, home equipment, decorations, apparel, electronics, restaurant reservations, and personal care services
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Estimated number of monthly visitors
|
27.38 million
|
2.9) Rakuma Ecommerce Service Provider In Japan
Next up on our list is Rakuma. Fril was recently acquired by Rakuten and fused with their flea market app forming Rakuma. Rakuma was Japan's first mobile marketplace app focusing on beauty and fashion. It has become a popular destination for customers and sellers who wish to trade peer-to-peer products quickly and easily. While the Fril site garners most traffic, the earnings go to Rakuma. The platform has become one of Japan's most famous flea markets, thanks to minimal fees and a platform that can be accessed on desktop and mobile devices.
Company name
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Rakuma
|
Founded
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2012
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Founder
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Rakutem and Fril
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Headquarters
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Tokyo, Japan
|
Products, Services, and Benefits
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Cosmetics, home equipment, decorations, apparel, electronics, restaurant reservations, and personal care services(wide variety of second-hand products)
|
Estimated number of monthly visitors
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17.28 million
|
2.10) Qoo10 eCommerce Company In Japan
Qoo10, formerly GMarket, is a Singaporean e-commerce platform with localized online marketplaces in several countries, including Japan. It has a wide range of products, including mobile, sports, fashion, home living, books, and e-tickets. eBay runs the site in partnership. Qoo10 Japan acquired Gmarket a few years ago. Since then, Qoo10 Japan has developed dramatically, increasing its presence across Japan and other Asian nations. The company has partnered with several businesses to provide advertising, promotion, event, payment, and shipping services.
Company name
|
Qoo10
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Founded
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2007
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Founder
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Ku Young Bae
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Headquarters
|
Beach Road, Gateway West, Singapore
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Products, Services, and Benefits
|
Cosmetics. computers and games. fashion. mobile accessories. Furniture etc.
|
Estimated number of monthly visitors
|
15.38 million
|
3) 8 Key Factors to Consider While Selecting the Best eCommerce Company in Japan
With that in mind, we will look at the main considerations that pop up when selecting the best eCommerce companies in Japan. The eCommerce industry in Japan is incredibly efficient. The variety of products and services made accessible is astounding. The excellent infrastructural networks, widespread internet penetration, and dense populations of urban customers with an appetite for new trends are the primary catalysts of the country's eCommerce industry growth. With that in mind, we will look at the primary considerations that pop up when selecting the best eCommerce companies in Japan.
3.1) Linguistic clarity in content
In Japan, language plays a crucial role in eCommerce. As 99 percent of the population speaks only Japanese, translating the website will not be enough. When it comes to purchasing in Japan, a high level of certainty and trust is crucial. That means that eCommerce sites must have a lot of information and technical specifications, all of which must be understandable to a Japanese buyer, both linguistically and culturally.
3.2) Lower price range
Are you allured by websites that offer goods at a lower price range? Japanese online retailers often sell goods at lower costs. Most shops in Japan are located in urban areas and are easily accessible by customers. It is more efficient than waiting for products to be delivered to their homes. As a result, Japanese customers expect to purchase goods at a lower cost online. Most eCommerce also compete, providing attractive discount rates to their customers. Look for websites that offer products at a lower price while also providing the best customer service.
3.3) Mobile eCommerce
Many consumers in Japan use cell phones to do research, purchase, and pay for goods and services online, resulting in a mobile penetration rate of over 136 percent. It's no wonder, therefore, that mobile commerce brought in $12.8 billion in revenue last year. Last year, mobile devices accounted for 40% of ZOZOTOWN's sales. According to Rakuten, mobile transactions account for more than 30% of overall sales.
3.4) Payment modes
It's critical to provide customers with their choice of payment method. Although credit cards are the most popular mode of payment in Japan (60 percent), online transactions also include payment methods not usually available in the United States. Ensure that the platform you pick has the following payment modes:
- Cash-on-delivery –(This requires an account with local shipping carriers like with Yamato or Sagawa)
- Bank transfer
- Convenience store payments
3.5) Shipping speed
Japanese clients are used to speedy delivery. That should not come as a surprise as the country is smaller than the size of Montana. That's why lookout for eCommerce sites that have tie-up with local courier companies. Sagawa and Kuroneko Yamato, the two major shipping companies , may deliver on the same day. The majority of people expect to receive their orders the very next day. A delay of more than two days is too lengthy.
3.6) Transparency in user experience
When it comes to the actual purchase stage of the online shopping journey, transparency, dependability, and a great user experience are essential. E-commerce website design in japan is different from what we find in U.Sor India. Data, testimonials, and statistics are prioritized to build user trust on landing pages. Whether on mobile, tablet, or desktop, Japanese customers expect a seamless process in which everything from product availability to potential delivery slots is easy to understand and manage.
3.7) Post-Purchase support
Japanese brands provide unusually high levels of customer care. As a result, be sure that the eCommerce website you pick equals if not exceeds, that level of customer care. It would also be preferable to answer client questions in their native language.
3.8) Security
No one wants to input their credit card information on a suspicious website, which is why consumer security is becoming one of their top priorities for eCommerce companies. While most software nowadays comes with solid security as standard, ensure that the website you choose HTTPS/SSL for a safe and secure checkout for your consumers.
4) Final thoughts
To summarise, these are the top 10 eCommerce companies in Japan that have effectively assisted merchants, wholesalers, and resellers in distributing their products online over the years. Domestic brands have an edge in Japan. One key factor is that international businesses must decide whether to put up their e-commerce website or use an existing online marketplace. As the industry expands, there will undoubtedly be opportunities for new platforms that allow for greater innovation; yet, the simplicity of conducting business on an existing platform such as Rakuten has its benefits.