Is Japan still an important consumer market?

Yes, yes, and yes. Japan is still the 2nd biggest retail market in the world with 127 million sophisticated consumers that appreciate high quality and excellent service. China may have more factories these days, but how many people there can really afford western goods? When it comes to measure retail market size, Japan still accounts for more than 55% of the whole Asian market (JETRO, 2008).
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 food consumed (United Nations, 2008) - a great opportunity for food brands with quality products from 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 high-brand luxury 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 are selling well in Japan.
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.”
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- Business Communication in Japan (briefing)
- Doing Business with Japanese (briefing)
- World Fact Book Japan 2009
- Luggage Market Europe 2009 (market report)
JAPAN - Company Databases & Business Directories
- List of Japanese food & beverage importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~600 companies in Excel with contact details)
- List of Japanese fashion & textile importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~600 companies in Excel with contact details)
- List of Japanese furniture & interior importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~550 companies in Excel with contact details)
- List of Japanese housewares & related items importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~500 companies in Excel with contact details)
- List of Japanese toys & hobby items importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers (~400 companies in Excel with contact details)
- List of Japanese machinery & machine tools importers/distributors/wholesalers (~500 companies in Excel with contact details)
- List of Japanese electronic components & related items importers/distributors/wholesalers (~700 companies in Excel with contact details)
- Business Directory of Japanese general importers/distributors/wholesalers/retailers 2008 (110,000 companies in Excel)
- Business Directory Japan 2008 (159,000 selected companies)
- Database of 5,500 major corporations in Japan 2009 (contacts and financial details in Excel)
JAPAN - Industry Overviews & Market Updates
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Auto Parts and Accessories for Aftermarket
- (market report), Japan, 2008, AACC Market Brief
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Aerospace Industry Market Brief
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Aerospace Marketbrief
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Aircraft and Aircraft Parts
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Aircraft and Aircraftparts
- (market report), Japan, 2008, Analytical Instruments
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Architectural Design Services
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Asbestos Clean Up
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Auto Parts and Accessories Aftermarket
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Automobile Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Auto Parts Accessories
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Avian Flu Preparedness
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Biochem Preparedness
- (market report), Japan, 2005, BioMass Energy Dvelopment
- (market report), Japan, 2005, BioMass Power Plant Projects
- (market report), Japan, 2005, BioMass Town Projects
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Biometrics Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, BioTechnology Market
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Broadband Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Broadband Over Power Line
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Building Products Import Statistics
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Building Products Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2008, Building Products Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Business Aviation Infrastructure Airports and User Fees
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Business Aviation
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Business Aviation Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Chemical Production Machinery
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Children’s Wear Market
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Commercial Kitchen Equipment Changing Food Industry Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Construction Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Consumer Electronics
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Consumer Electronics
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Consumer Electronics Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Cosmetics and Toiletries
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Cosmetics Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Cosmetics Market Overview
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Cosmetics Market Overview
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Defence Procurement
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Dental Services
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Diagnostic Imaging Device Market
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Digitization of Medical Services
- (market report), Japan, 2007, DIY and Home Centres
- (market report), Japan, 2005, E Commerce Market Survey
- (market report), Japan, 2005, ECommerce Market Overview
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Electronic Components and Semiconductors
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Emergency Medical Care Products and Services
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Emerging Tourism Niche Markets
- (market report), Japan, 2005, ESL Program
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Esthetic Industry and Cosmetics
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Flooring Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Food Service and Franchising
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Foods for Special Health Use
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Green Building Products
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Helicopters Market
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Hobby Market
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Home Garbage Disposal Systems
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Home Healthcare Products
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Home Remodelling Project Kyushu Region
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Hospital Construction and Expansion Boom
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Household Consumer Goods
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Housing market Statistics
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Imports of Building Products to Japan
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Industrial Robots
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Industrial Wastewater Treatment
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Information Security
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Invitro Diagnostics Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Machine Tools
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Machine Tools Trends
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Medical Devices
- (market report), Japan, 2009, Men’s Wear Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Men's Cosmetics Market
- (market report), Japan, 2008, Motorcycle Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Native American Jewelry
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Nutritional Supplement Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Nutritional Supplements
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Nutritional Supplements Food with Nutrient Function Claims
- (market report), Japan, 2008, Octupus Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Office Furniture Market Trend
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Over the Counter Drug Market
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Packaging Equipment
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Pet Nutritional Supplements
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Pet Product Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Port Security
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Precious Metal
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Precious Metal Jewelry
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Private Finance Initiative
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Radio Frequency Identification Tag
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Residential Building Products Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Security on Mass Transportation
- (market report), Japan, 2005, SemiConductor Market for Consumer Electronics
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Senior High School Study Abroad
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Sensing and Detection Devices
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Service and Retail Franchising
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Solutions for Phising Issues in Financial Services Sector
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Spa Market for Cosmetics and Beauty Products
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Stationary Fuel Cell Development
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Study Abroad Programs
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Telecommunications Market
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Telecommunications Market
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Termite Control
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Tourism Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Urban Renewal Projects
- (market report), Japan, 2006, US Graduate Programs
- (market report), Japan, 2008, Veterinary Products
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Water and Waste-water Industry Overview
- (market report), Japan, 2005, Water and Waste-water Treatment Equipment
- (market report), Japan, 2007, Web2.0 Overview
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Wind Energy Industry
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Wood and Vinyl Windows
- (market report), Japan, 2006, Private Label Market (food and beverages)