Top 7 Online Business Ideas in Japan To Start In 2024
Want to start a business in Japan, but not sure how?
No worries! Opening up a physical store can be daunting, but an online business offers many advantages such as a lower entry cost.
So to help you get started, here are the different online business ideas in Japan that you start with.
What to know about the Japanese market
Understanding Japanese consumer behavior and doing some Japanese market research will help you understand what the online market looks like in Japan and what Japanese people are looking for.
Additionally, if you are interested in foreign customers in Japan for your online business, researching them and their needs will help your business start on the right foot.
The following online small business ideas are in different industries and each targets a different customer base.
Top 9 Online Business Ideas in Japan
1. English language school in Japan
Teaching English is one of the easiest ways for most foreigners to live abroad. If you signed up to JET, but your contract is coming to a close, why not continue it on your terms by offering English teaching services in Japan.
According to Statista, about 40% of Japanese kids between the ages of 10 and 14 are learning English, and this opens a business opportunity to help them with their English studies.
Offering online English courses allows flexibility, is cost-effective, and allows one-on-one learning to better accommodate the learner’s needs.
You can even offer more specialized classes for adults such as business English or academic English.
Additionally, you can offer services to help those who want to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
2. Online retail
There are many unique opportunities when it comes to online retail.
The possibilities of what you can sell online in Japan are endless and include the following:
Homemade crafts
Accessories
Clothing
Subscription boxes
Downloadable files
There are a couple of things to know when selling online in Japan such as providing your name, address, and phone number. If you are not comfortable providing your home address as a business address, you can use a virtual address service such as MailMate to help protect your home address.
Additionally, many virtual office address services, including MailMate, offer mail forwarding and a rental local phone number.
3. Translation works
We all know that Google Translate doesn’t give the most accurate translation. So if you are bilingual in Japanese and another language, you can offer a translation service.
There are many different paths that translation works can take you. You can help with translation and localization for websites, blogs, and apps for the Japanese market.
Additionally, you can do specialized translations, such as legal translation, medical translation, or marketing translation, catering to specific industry needs.
4. Consulting
In the consulting business world, you would give your expert guidance to help organizations improve their operations and achieve their goals. This type of business is a promising outlet for freelancing in Japan.
While Japan’s consulting industry is broken down into 4 parts, you can offer different insights about how to attract foreign customers, localization, and business performance strategies.
5. Website designs
If you have a knack for designing a website, consider offering web design services for Japanese and foreign businesses in Japan.
Being able to create an easily navigable website that attracts potential customers is a highly marketable and attractive skill.
Additionally, you’re at a considerable advantage if your website design skills can create a mobile-friendly site that accommodates mobile phone users.
6. Graphic design
Graphic design work can include logo design, branding, illustrations, and infographics for Japanese consumers.
The most important thing about design work is to build a portfolio of your past works that potential clients can look through to pursue your style.
7. Blog writing
Blogging about your Japanese travel and food experiences, or what it’s like living in Japan, allows people who are interested to get a glimpse of what it’s like.
While it’s hard to imagine that you can make money by posting on the Internet, some money-making options include displaying advertisements, affiliate partner programs, and direct ads with partner brands.
Resources for your online Japanese business
Starting a business in Japan does involve a couple of steps after deciding on a winning idea.
Take a look at these resources to ensure you have everything you need to start a business in Japan:
Frequently asked questions
How to sell online in Japan?
There are a couple of Japanese sites where you can sell online such as Rakuten, Mericari, and even on Amazon Japan. Listing your products on these sites will help you tap into the large Japanese consumer market.
Do I need to register my online business in Japan?
According to Japan’s Mail Order Specified Commercial Transaction Act, you are required to provide your name, address, and telephone number. These requirements and others help protect the safety and rights of the consumers. Additionally, it is highly recommended that you submit a business opening notification (開業届).
In closing
Any one of these small business investment opportunities will open a world of entrepreneurship in Japan. As your business slowly picks up more customers and expands, you can invest more time and money into it until you are fully ready for this online business to be your main focus.
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