05 - Re-entering the Japanese market
Turn past setbacks into future success - re-enter or re-boot the Japanese market with success!
Many companies have entered the Japanese market, only to withdraw after facing unforeseen challenges. Others paused their operations due to external circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting global trends, or supply chain disruptions. Whether your company once had traction in Japan or struggled to gain a foothold, it is never too late to restart, with a more informed, structured, and a locally better adapted approach.
At Japan Trade Advisor, we specialize in helping companies re-enter the Japanese market by identifying what went wrong, what has changed, and what steps are needed to move forward successfully.
Why companies exit the Japanese market (and why it’s worth returning)
There are many reasons why a business may have stepped away from Japan. These may include:
Challenges in finding or managing local distributors
A lack of product market fit or cultural misalignment
Insufficient marketing localization or brand awareness
Global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, political changes, or logistics breakdowns
Market disruptions like African swine fever (ASF), foot-and-mouth disease, or global commodity shifts
Internal restructuring, acquisitions, or temporary budget constraints
Whatever the reason, Japan remains one of the world’s most stable, high-value markets with a strong appetite for high-quality international products. Companies that revisit the market with the right strategy often discover new demand and new opportunities.
What we can do for you
Post-exit diagnostics
We review your previous efforts and identify what worked, what didn’t, and what internal or external factors may have limited your success.
Updated market intelligence
Japan changes. We provide up-to-date insights on buyer trends, competitor activity, pricing expectations, and regulations, ensuring your new strategy reflects today’s market conditions.
Strategy reboot and re-positioning We help you rebuild your market entry strategy, re-evaluate your unique selling points for Japanese buyers, and adjust messaging or product positioning where needed.
Local partner review and re-engagement We assess past relationships with importers, agents, or distributors and advise on whether to reconnect, replace, or restructure your local partnerships.
Step-by-step support for a successful relaunch We guide you through the practical steps of updating Japanese-language materials, initiating new buyer outreach, preparing for trade shows, and reactivating your brand presence in Japan.
Why this matters
Re-entering a market is not just a second chance, it’s often a smarter one. With historical data, clearer lessons, and a changed market landscape, you have the advantage of experience. With our support, your renewed effort can be faster, more focused, and more cost-effective than your original entry.
Why work with Japan Trade Advisor?
Over 30 years of experience with Japanese business culture, buyer expectations, and export dynamics
Firsthand knowledge of what causes export efforts to succeed, or fail, in Japan
A proven ability to help clients course-correct and relaunch with greater confidence
A wide network of local partners, buyers, and industry professionals ready to re-evaluate your offering
It’s never too late to succeed in Japan
Whether your previous effort in Japan was paused, disrupted, or simply misaligned, a re-entry done right can unlock meaningful long-term results. We are here to help you start fresh, without starting from scratch.
Want to learn more about Japan, & doing business in Japan?
Don’t forget to explore our blog “Looking into the Japanese Mind.” This blog gives you essential insights into Japanese business culture, communication norms, and the decision-making style of Japanese companies. Understanding these elements will help you build trust, avoid misunderstandings, and succeed in the Japanese market. You can read the blog here: Inside the Japanese mind.
You should also take advantage of our advanced data service at JapanTradeStatistics.com. This platform provides the fastest and most precise way to analyze Japan’s import and export movements, updated directly from official Japanese trade data. With just a few clicks, you can filter thousands of HS4 codes, compare markets, and understand complex trade developments in seconds, giving you a competitive advantage that traditional spreadsheets or slow databases cannot offer. All dashboards run in Power BI, allowing you to embed live, automatically updated charts directly into your PowerPoint presentations, ensuring that your reports always contain the latest information without you ever have to update it manually.
JapanTradeStatistics.com is an invaluable tool for:
Trading companies evaluating market shifts
Journalists and analysts covering economic or geopolitical developments
Public institutions and embassies tracking bilateral trade
Exporters and importers identifying new opportunities
Consultants and researchers needing reliable, real-time data
Investors monitoring changes in the markets.
If you work with Japan, or plan to, this tool will save you hours of research while giving you insights that help you act faster, identify opportunities earlier, and make better, data-driven decisions.
Price: Ask for a quotation