Anyone who has visited Japan will have encountered local convenience store chains. Even during a short trip to the country, it is almost impossible to miss them. There are more than 56,000 convenience stores across Japan, most of them operated by one of the following three large retailers: Seven-Eleven Japan, Lawson, or Family Mart. Stores...

Alongside foie gras and caviar, truffle is one of the top three so-called delicacies of the world. In Japan, caviar was the height of vogue a few decades ago. Foie gras took up that mantle more recently but likely reached its peak a few years ago. These days, the truffle is booming in Japan and...

When you walk down the streets of downtown Tokyo, and you hear local salarymen talking about maritozzo, you know that maritozzo is big in Japan. This cream-filled sweet bun first originated in Rome, Italy. But today, if you walk into a café or a pastry shop in Tokyo, there is a good chance that you...

Unicum, the national drink of Hungary, made of more than forty different herbs and spices, has always been an exciting choice for tourists visiting the country. Besides Hungary, Unicum is historically popular in Italy, where production took place from the ’70s, and also in Germany, where a strategic partner played a key role in re-establishing...

Kit Kat is a well-known brand around the world. However, in Japan, Nestlé has taken its marketing and branding of Kit Kat to a different level. When you walk into the Kit Kat flagship store in the heart of Tokyo, you are surrounded by a broad selection of Kit Kat products—with all kinds of different...

Cheese might not be the food item that you would imagine as a part of a meal in Japan. However, both the popularity and the level of sophistication of cheese products are growing continuously in the country. Western food has also become an essential part of local food culture. French and Italian food are everyday...

Bananas are sold as a commodity in most parts of the world. How is it possible to differentiate this seemingly simple, standard product to sell more of it? Dole and Seven Premium are two successful brands selling bananas in Japan, and Tanabe Noen is a Japanese brand also sold by Lawson or ANA. Here is...

Japan is one of the largest wine importers in the world. Competition is cutthroat, and labels in foreign languages can be problematic for locals to read. Here are three proven ways to make an impact with your wine label in Japan.   #1 – Show your awards The Sakura Award is the most followed wine...

Executive Summary Japanese chocolate consumption is showing a growth trend, which is driven by a wide consumer base that can afford to purchase premium products on a daily basis. Competition is strong as global and local brands are aggressively investing in marketing to ensure their products reach the right segments. In 2018, the total sales...

Expanding your business in far-away markets has always been a tough job. On top of that, the Japanese market can surprise you in ways you may never have experienced in Europe or other Western business environments. Strategic and on-the-ground sales activity When you are looking for new partners, it is best to rely on someone...

Now it may be an excellent time to promote your brand in Japanese retail if you are in the business of selling alcoholic beverages, pasta or cooking oil. According to the results of the latest household consumption survey, in May Japanese households consumed about 25% more of the food items mentioned above than the same...

Even in your home market, a knowledge of the language is nowhere near enough to guarantee successful business development, market expansion or new product launches. And in a foreign market, there are even more factors at play. In the domestic market, if you want to open a branch in a new city, you probably have...

In our dealings with food and beverage products, we have witnessed many situations where European and Japanese partners tried to do business, but ended up talking at cross purposes. Neither side was able to comprehend the other’s questions or demands. If they managed to make progress in one area, talks broke down again on a...

A crisis can provide new opportunities. Crisis. The word originates from Greek and means ‘decision.’ In times of uncertainty, people and companies typically reduce their expenses and become risk averse. Nevertheless, it is also an excellent time to reassess your direction and adopt a new strategy. There are many reasons for you to make this...

In recent days and months, almost everyone has been thinking about the changes and effects Covid-19 will bring into our lives, including growing interest in the future of the economy and particular industries. The unprecedented emergency measures restricting the mobility of people and goods have raised the question: How will the coronavirus affect globalisation? Globalisation...

People often say that good products need no marketing because they “sell themselves”. This is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted conceptions, because it is simply not true. It is nothing more than a myth. Even if we ignore the definition of the word “marketing” and look at the expression itself, it makes very...

In any major city in Japan, you can find Western cuisine of the same level and quality as in its homeland.  You will also find the most Michelin-star restaurants in Tokyo, and in international pizza-making contests, Japanese chefs continually rank among the top contestants.  In the past few years, it has also become popular among...

Having your introduction material in the local language of the target market is essential.  Many think that in Japan it is enough to have presentations in English because Japanese people can read it.  It is true that many Japanese can read English text, but some may not be very good at it.  Also in general,...