Government and Municipalities

Not limited to prefectures, cross-border EC initiatives at the municipal level are gaining momentum, partly due to the Corona disaster.

j-Grab provides cross-border EC support services to national and local governments, chambers of commerce and industry, and other regional organizations. To date, j-Grab has steadily achieved results in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Fukushima, and other prefectures, as well as in Kawasaki City, Kiryu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other municipalities.

For small businesses that are unable to conduct cross-border EC business on their own, we work closely with local governments that support them, and provide extensive support from product selection to opening a store, product listing, sales, payment, and shipping.

We also support businesses in acquiring sales know-how and techniques through cross-border EC seminars and workshops to enable them to engage in cross-border EC business independently.

• Tokyo Metropolitan
• Fukushima Prefecture
• Fukuoka Prefecture
• Kawasaki City
• Kiryu Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Financial Institutions

Regional bank clients are paying more attention to cross-border EC and inquiries are increasing rapidly.

j-Grab offers a support service that provides cross-border EC consulting for bank lenders. As an example, j-Grab and the Johnan Shinkin Bank have entered into a business alliance, in which j-Grab's cross-border EC consultants provide advice on building and opening EC stores, attracting customers, and operational support to client companies introduced by the Jonan Shinkin Bank, as well as actual construction and support to promote exports and increase sales.

We are steadily achieving results while visiting client companies together with bank representatives.

• The Johnan Shinkin Bank
• The Yokohama Shinkin Bank

Department Stores

In the department store industry, the recent decline in inbound demand due to the Corona disaster has prompted a growing number of companies to export their products themselves and to engage in cross-border e-commerce in order to secure new sources of revenue and expand overseas sales channels.

j-Grab supports the cross-border EC business of Tokyu Department Store, the first Japanese department store to open an official cross-border EC store on eBay.

We provide a wide range of support, from opening a store to developing an operational system, and based on the department store's wealth of merchandise and cultivated expertise, we support the listing of approximately 150 items, including traditional crafts such as Edo faceted glass and chopsticks, and children's helmets, prayer beads, and incense sticks, which are becoming increasingly popular overseas.

We will continue to support the promotion of Japanese culture by leveraging the strengths of department stores.

• Tokyu Department Store

Second-hand

The secondhand luxury brand and other reuse industries have also been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a strategy for expanding sales channels, there is a growing movement towards cross-border e-commerce.

Used goods from Japan are among the most trusted and sold at high prices worldwide. Examples include various items such as used cameras, musical instruments, accessories, general branded goods, collector's items, games, anime products, and J-POP-related items. Japanese individuals handle products very carefully, and items that have been resold to buyback stores are meticulously inspected for authenticity, often making them appear as good as new when they are sold.

Many users abroad confidently assert that 'Used goods from Japan are nearly equivalent to new,' and the enthusiasm for them is so fervent that there are even users who exclusively purchase used items through cross-border e-commerce from Japan.

• Camera Shop

Cosmetics & Beauty

Japanese cosmetics are extremely popular worldwide due to their high quality, and the brand awareness in this genre is also among the highest in the world.

Among Chinese women who have visited Japan, Shiseido holds the top position with a recognition rate exceeding 90%, significantly ahead of the second-place brand, South Korea's Sulwhasoo, which has a recognition rate of 73%.

Furthermore, among Japanese brands, SK-II, Sekkisei, Kao, and Kose follow suit, with DHC also garnering recognition from over half of the respondents. As a result, there are many enthusiastic fans around the world who express a desire for Japanese cosmetics even if they come with a slightly higher price tag. Prior to the pandemic, inbound travelers used to flood cosmetics sections of drugstores and department stores, engaging in 'explosive buying' sprees. However, in the current situation where visiting Japan is challenging and non-essential travel is being avoided, a new shopping style has taken hold: purchasing large quantities through cross-border e-commerce.

Even after the pandemic subsides, it is expected that this trend will continue without a decrease, persisting in the long term.

• Hakuichi

Food & Beverage

The food and beverage industry, including alcoholic beverages, had been relatively slow to transition to e-commerce. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with efforts to minimize outings and an increase in home-based consumption, there has been a growing push toward e-commerce adoption. Concurrently, there is also an increasing interest in cross-border e-commerce as a means of further expanding sales channels.

Sake and fruit liqueurs from Japan have been selling well in places such as Taiwan and Southeast Asia. For food products, there are instances where cross-border e-commerce sales are possible if the expiration date is at least one month away. Processed goods and long shelf-life products can be handled without issues, and there are successful precedents in this regard.

For fresh produce and meat products, it is possible to coordinate with organizations such as plant quarantine offices and animal quarantine offices to facilitate the necessary procedures. For example, using services like Japan Post's Cool EMS or Yamato Transport's Cool Takkyubin, it's possible to utilize refrigeration and freezing technologies to deliver Japanese food globally.

• Yamada Bee Farm

Traditional crafts and locally produced goods

The domestic market for traditional crafts is on a declining trend due to a shrinking population and an aging artisan workforce. Additionally, the impact of the novel coronavirus and the resulting travel restrictions, coupled with the collapse of inbound demand, have compounded the challenges, leading to a critical situation.

However, on the other hand, there is a strong overseas demand for 'MADE IN JAPAN' products, and high-quality Japanese products continue to enjoy enduring popularity.

Regarding locally produced goods, there is also a strong popularity through overseas influencers promoting them on social media platforms. Souvenirs, folk crafts, armor, swords, lucky charms, and amulets are among the popular categories that attract such a high level of interest that bulk purchasing is common.

• KIMONOdressjapan
• TATAMISER

Musical Instruments

In regions like North America, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in users spending their free time on hobbies due to staying at home. As a result, there has been a sharp rise in sales of musical instruments such as guitars, basses, and synthesizers, including keyboard instruments.

Among them, sales of musical instruments originating from Japan have been increasing. This trend encompasses not only Japanese-made guitars and audio equipment but also a growing interest among overseas buyers for used foreign-made guitars.

j-Grab also provide long-term support for cross-border e-commerce of KORG products, and more recently, efforts have extended to supporting the cross-border e-commerce expansion of Shimamura Gakki (Shimamura Musical Instruments), actively contributing to the music instrument and audio industry.

• KORG