Is Japan still an important consumer market?

Yes, - Japan may have been more prosperous 25 years ago and may have gone through two difficult decades economically, however, it's still the second biggest retail market in the world with 127 million sophisticated consumers that appreciate high-quality products and excellent service. China may have more factories these days, but how many people there can really afford Western life-style goods? When it comes to measure retail market size, Japan still accounts for 55% of the total Asian market (JETRO, 2012).

Japan is also the nation with highest demand of food imports worldwide. It has the lowest self-sufficiency rate (41% only) among the G8 countries. Japan is in need to import almost 60% of all foods consumed (United Nations, 2013) - a great opportunity for food producers with quality products in the West. Also, Japan consumes nearly 40% of all luxury goods sold worldwide every year. Almost 90% of Japanese females above age 18 own one or more luxury fashion handbag. Which other nation does have such a ratio? But not only luxury goods do well in Japan. Japanese people in general love western life-style, especially quality goods from Europe and the US with interesting brand story and fashionable, positive image continue to sell well in Japan.

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Additionally, Japan is the definite main spot for trends and high-tech innovations. It is an influence to the whole Asian market, if not the whole world, many manufacturers use Japan as a “testing area” for new products and trends. Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman, Puma AG Rudolf Dassler Sport: "Since Japan, Tokyo in particular, is the epicentre of trends in the Asia/Pacific region, our focus is on further strengthening our position in this key market.” Tommy Kullberg, President of Ikea Japan:  “If Ikea can win the confidence of Japanese consumers, we can sell our products anywhere in the world.”

Market Reports & Company Directories

JAPAN - Detailed Market Studies

1. Solar Market Japan 2008
2. Automotive & Suppliers Japan 2008
3. Automotive After-market & Auto-parts Japan 2009
4. Semiconductor (parts & components) Japan 2009
5. Machinery & Machine Tools Market Japan 2008
6. Retail & Consumer Goods Japan 2009
7. Cosmetics & Beauty Products Japan 2008
8. Furniture & Interior Market Japan 2009
9. Kitchen Furniture Japan 2009 (see parts of the report on the right) >
   
10. Eye Wear Japan 2009

JAPAN - other market reports & general briefings

1. Business Communication in Japan (briefing)
   
2. Doing Business with Japanese (briefing)
3. World Fact Book Japan 2009
   
4. Luggage Market Europe 2009 (market report)

JAPAN - Company Databases & Business Directories

1. List of Japanese food & beverage importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~600 companies in Excel with contact details)
2. List of Japanese fashion & textile importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~600 companies in Excel with contact details)
3. List of Japanese furniture & interior importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~550 companies in Excel with contact details)
4. List of Japanese housewares & related items importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~500 companies in Excel with contact details)
5. List of Japanese toys & hobby items importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~400 companies in Excel with contact details)
6. List of Japanese machinery & machine tools importers/distributors/wholesalers (~500 companies in Excel with contact details)
7. List of Japanese electronic components & related items importers/distributors/wholesalers (~700 companies in Excel with contact details)
8. Business Directory of Japanese general importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers 2008 (110,000 companies in Excel)
9. Business Directory Japan 2008 (159,000 selected companies)
10. Database of 5,500 major corporations in Japan 2009 (contacts and financial details in Excel)

JAPAN - Industry Overviews & Market Updates

1. (market report), Japan, 2005, Auto Parts and Accessories for Aftermarket
   
2. (market report), Japan, 2008, AACC Market Brief
   
3. (market report), Japan, 2007, Aerospace Industry Market Brief
   
4. (market report), Japan, 2005, Aerospace Marketbrief 
   
5. (market report), Japan, 2005, Aircraft and Aircraft Parts
   
6. (market report), Japan, 2007, Aircraft and Aircraftparts
   
7. (market report), Japan, 2008, Analytical Instruments
   
8. (market report), Japan, 2006, Architectural Design Services
   
9. (market report), Japan, 2005, Asbestos Clean Up
   
10. (market report), Japan, 2007, Auto Parts and Accessories Aftermarket
    
11. (market report), Japan, 2006, Automobile Industry
    
12. (market report), Japan, 2006, Auto Parts Accessories
    
13. (market report), Japan, 2007, Avian Flu Preparedness
    
14. (market report), Japan, 2006, Biochem Preparedness
    
15. (market report), Japan, 2005, BioMass Energy Dvelopment
    
16. (market report), Japan, 2005, BioMass Power Plant Projects
    
17. (market report), Japan, 2005, BioMass Town Projects
    
18. (market report), Japan, 2006, Biometrics Market
    
19. (market report), Japan, 2006, BioTechnology Market
    
20. (market report), Japan, 2007, Broadband Market
    
21. (market report), Japan, 2006, Broadband Over Power Line
    
22. (market report), Japan, 2006, Building Products Import Statistics
    
23. (market report), Japan, 2007, Building Products Industry
    
24. (market report), Japan, 2008, Building Products Industry
    
25. (market report), Japan, 2005, Business Aviation Infrastructure  Airports and User Fees
    
26. (market report), Japan, 2005, Business Aviation
    
27. (market report), Japan, 2006, Business Aviation Industry
    
28. (market report), Japan, 2005, Chemical Production Machinery
    
29. (market report), Japan, 2005, Children’s Wear Market
    
30. (market report), Japan, 2007, Commercial Kitchen Equipment Changing Food Industry Market
    
31. (market report), Japan, 2006, Construction Industry
    
32. (market report), Japan, 2005, Consumer Electronics
    
33. (market report), Japan, 2006, Consumer Electronics
    
34. (market report), Japan, 2007, Consumer Electronics Industry
    
35. (market report), Japan, 2005, Cosmetics and Toiletries
    
36. (market report), Japan, 2005, Cosmetics Market
    
37. (market report), Japan, 2006, Cosmetics Market Overview
    
38. (market report), Japan, 2007, Cosmetics Market Overview
    
39. (market report), Japan, 2006, Defence Procurement
    
40. (market report), Japan, 2006, Dental Services
    
41. (market report), Japan, 2007, Diagnostic Imaging Device Market
    
42. (market report), Japan, 2005, Digitization of Medical Services
    
43. (market report), Japan, 2007, DIY and Home Centres
    
44. (market report), Japan, 2005, E Commerce Market Survey
    
45. (market report), Japan, 2005, ECommerce Market Overview
    
46. (market report), Japan, 2006, Electronic Components and Semiconductors
    
47. (market report), Japan, 2005, Emergency Medical Care Products and Services
    
48. (market report), Japan, 2007, Emerging Tourism Niche Markets
    
49. (market report), Japan, 2005, ESL Program
    
50. (market report), Japan, 2007, Esthetic Industry and Cosmetics
    
51. (market report), Japan, 2005, Flooring Market
    
52. (market report), Japan, 2006, Food Service and Franchising
    
53. (market report), Japan, 2007, Foods for Special Health Use
    
54. (market report), Japan, 2005, Green Building Products
    
55. (market report), Japan, 2006, Helicopters Market
    
56. (market report), Japan, 2005, Hobby Market
    
57. (market report), Japan, 2005, Home Garbage Disposal Systems
    
58. (market report), Japan, 2006, Home Healthcare Products
    
59. (market report), Japan, 2006, Home Remodelling Project Kyushu Region
    
60. (market report), Japan, 2006, Hospital Construction and Expansion Boom
    
61. (market report), Japan, 2007, Household Consumer Goods
    
62. (market report), Japan, 2006, Housing market Statistics
    
63. (market report), Japan, 2005, Imports of Building Products to Japan
    
64. (market report), Japan, 2007, Industrial Robots
    
65. (market report), Japan, 2006, Industrial Wastewater Treatment
    
66. (market report), Japan, 2006, Information Security
    
67. (market report), Japan, 2006, Invitro Diagnostics Market
    
68. (market report), Japan, 2006, Machine Tools
    
69. (market report), Japan, 2005, Machine Tools Trends
    
70. (market report), Japan, 2005, Medical Devices
    
71. (market report), Japan, 2009, Men’s Wear Market
    
72. (market report), Japan, 2006, Men's Cosmetics Market
    
73. (market report), Japan, 2008, Motorcycle Industry
    
74. (market report), Japan, 2007, Native American Jewelry
    
75. (market report), Japan, 2005, Nutritional Supplement Market
    
76. (market report), Japan, 2006, Nutritional Supplements
    
77. (market report), Japan, 2007, Nutritional Supplements Food with Nutrient Function Claims
    
78. (market report), Japan, 2008, Octupus Market
    
79. (market report), Japan, 2006, Office Furniture Market Trend
    
80. (market report), Japan, 2007, Over the Counter Drug Market
    
81. (market report), Japan, 2005, Packaging Equipment
    
82. (market report), Japan, 2007, Pet Nutritional Supplements
    
83. (market report), Japan, 2005, Pet Product Market
    
84. (market report), Japan, 2006, Port Security
    
85. (market report), Japan, 2005, Precious Metal
    
86. (market report), Japan, 2005, Precious Metal Jewelry
    
87. (market report), Japan, 2006, Private Finance Initiative
    
88. (market report), Japan, 2005, Radio Frequency Identification Tag
    
89. (market report), Japan, 2007, Residential Building Products Industry
    
90. (market report), Japan, 2007, Security on Mass Transportation
    
91. (market report), Japan, 2005, SemiConductor Market for Consumer Electronics
    
92. (market report), Japan, 2005, Senior High School Study Abroad
    
93. (market report), Japan, 2005, Sensing and Detection Devices
    
94. (market report), Japan, 2007, Service and Retail Franchising
    
95. (market report), Japan, 2006, Solutions for Phising Issues in Financial Services Sector
    
96. (market report), Japan, 2007, Spa Market for Cosmetics and Beauty Products
    
97. (market report), Japan, 2005, Stationary Fuel Cell Development
    
98. (market report), Japan, 2006, Study Abroad Programs
    
99. (market report), Japan, 2006, Telecommunications Market
    
100. (market report), Japan, 2007, Telecommunications Market
     
101. (market report), Japan, 2006, Termite Control
     
102. (market report), Japan, 2006, Tourism Industry
     
103. (market report), Japan, 2005, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
     
104. (market report), Japan, 2006, Urban Renewal Projects
     
105. (market report), Japan, 2006, US Graduate Programs
     
106. (market report), Japan, 2008, Veterinary Products
     
107. (market report), Japan, 2007, Water and Waste-water Industry Overview
     
108. (market report), Japan, 2005, Water and Waste-water Treatment Equipment
     
109. (market report), Japan, 2007, Web2.0 Overview
     
110. (market report), Japan, 2006, Wind Energy Industry
     
111. (market report), Japan, 2006, Wood and Vinyl Windows
     
112. (market report), Japan, 2006, Private Label Market (food and beverages)
     

... and many more