Sell to Japan

The Condensed Vegitable

  One of my favorite joke is this: Japan is such a small country that the price value of the land is extremely expensive and saving space at their house is everyone's concern. In fact, at breakfast in most households in Japan, people drink condensed milk.

  Anyway, I found a very unique product at Grocery corner of Daiei supermarket in Kobe, Japan. That's a frozen condensed vegitables. Have you ever seen similar things in your country?

  Using the product, which is made by Otsuka Foods, Co., Ltd. known as a marketing-savvy company, is very simple and quick. You just boil it with your favorite meal for 3 minutes, then it instantly swells out! (See the interesting animation on their website.) As shown in the pictures below, I cooked a Ramen noodle with the product and the taste of the expanded vegetables such as cabbages, carrots and Komatsunas (Brassica campestris) was quite good!

  This is a perfect example of good products that suit Japanese consumer's taste, which is:

1. Individually packaged products, not in bulk.
2. Small package.
3. Easy-to-open package. No need to use scissors.
4. Time-saving.

  As I always write on this blog, Japanese consumers really demand the high quality of products, but sometimes quality goods are not enough. They demand the smart and best way of packaging as well.

  Depending on the market segment of your products, you need to think carefully how you package your products. Small quantity might be better. Chances are, the packaging you see at America's favorite wholesale warehouses is not the best option when you want to sell the same products to Japan. Yes, the cost per a product will be up, but wouldn't you like to sell at higher price in Japan, would you?

Made in...... Jermany?

  Gee. Unfortunately, many Japanese people are not very good at using English as a business language.

  This is a banner of car polish I found at a body shop in Kobe, Japan. That's why you need to work with bilingual sales professionals, when you want to deal with Japanese companies.

Japanese economy grows 1.7% in Q3. GDP up 0.4% for 4th straight quarterly increase

  The Daily Yomiuri reported today Japanese "economy grew an annualized 1.7 percent during the third quarter of 2005, indicating that the economy stayed firm in the July-September period on the back of domestic demand." (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/20051112TDY01002.htm )

  This is a good news especially for those who are tired of hearing about 90's long recession in Japan.

  Although there are some mixed news, and after all there are always naysayers, I personally feel Japanese economy is growing at a good speed especially in luxury markets. In fact, almost everyday in Kobe I see new and gorgeous Lexus cars, which surprisingly had not been introduced to the home market until recently. Also, I often find new high-rise and stylish condominiums being built in many cities when I gaze at the changing scenery through the bullet train's (Shin-kansen's) window. Since I know how desperate the nation's economy looked in 90's, I really feel it has begun prospering again.

  So, if you have great products, it's time to sell them to Japan!

1st Cold Stone Creamery shop in Japan

  When I went to popular Roppongi Hills Building (picture) in Tokyo last week, I found the Cold Stone Creamery shop on the north tower. It seemed to be closed on the day.

  According to their website (in Japanese) and a news article, however, it is today on November 3rd that the Scottsdale, Arizona-based premium ice cream company opens its first shop in Japan at the Roppongi Hills.

  Although I cannot visit to the shop soon because I have already come back to Kobe, this is a great news for ice cream lovers in Japan like me as well as many American companies who are seeking market entry opportunities into Japan. The Roppongi Hills is one of the best place in Tokyo to open new shop targeting high-end consumers thanks to the building's upscale image. In fact, I saw a great crush on the building's shopping area. I'm very positive of the unique ice cream shop's success there.

  Many American food and beverage companies, I believe, have great business potential in Japan, if they have unique products and if --- this is more important --- they understand Japanese people's taste for food. The best example would be Starbucks in Japan, not to mention McDonald's as a traditional case.

  Hey, Krispy Kreme, when will you guys come to Japan?