The country’s attractiveness for online retailers derives from its highly developed economy, primarily urban population, and almost nationwide access to the internet. Easy delivery and convenience are provided by a strong service-oriented business philosophy of the postal service sector in combination with Japan’s small country size and advanced infrastructure.
B2B e-commerce is built on the gradual digital transformation of businesses in Japan, as digital processes and services are promoted by the national government to replace outdated systems. The B2C e-commerce market is dominated by online marketplaces that operate as one-stop solutions for shoppers. Rakuten and the local branches of international e-commerce companies such as Amazon or Yahoo are greatly contributing to the rising popularity of online mall formats. In the C2C segment, the mobile re-commerce application Mercari represents a successful business venture competing alongside the flea market and auction platforms of the established B2C providers.
The busy lifestyle, particularly in the metropolis, demands efficiency in both professional and private life, a smooth and convenience-driven shopping experience is at the center of platform operators’ business strategies. The integration of cross-platform features, loyalty programs, and a multitude of payment options are incentives to appeal to and bind consumers to digital stores. But supermarkets and convenience stores remain the places to go for edibles and necessities that are needed in a timely manner.
Businesses and consumers in online transactions
The Japanese e-commerce landscape maintains a highly sophisticated shopping environment with a variety of trusted domestic online retail sites at its center. Even though cross-border e-commerce has been growing steadily, surcharges on delivery fees due to the island nation’s geographical position limit the significance of overseas orders.B2B e-commerce is built on the gradual digital transformation of businesses in Japan, as digital processes and services are promoted by the national government to replace outdated systems. The B2C e-commerce market is dominated by online marketplaces that operate as one-stop solutions for shoppers. Rakuten and the local branches of international e-commerce companies such as Amazon or Yahoo are greatly contributing to the rising popularity of online mall formats. In the C2C segment, the mobile re-commerce application Mercari represents a successful business venture competing alongside the flea market and auction platforms of the established B2C providers.
The slow shift online
E-commerce has penetrated around one-third of B2B transactions in Japan, which represented significant progress compared to the B2C market. As for consumer-initiated purchases in the physical goods segment, the share of electronic orders varies depending on product categories. Non-food products, such as leisure goods, electronics, and household items have been riding the digital shift, whereas the move of groceries to the virtual shopping cart is struggling.The busy lifestyle, particularly in the metropolis, demands efficiency in both professional and private life, a smooth and convenience-driven shopping experience is at the center of platform operators’ business strategies. The integration of cross-platform features, loyalty programs, and a multitude of payment options are incentives to appeal to and bind consumers to digital stores. But supermarkets and convenience stores remain the places to go for edibles and necessities that are needed in a timely manner.
