Osaka 2025: an unmissable opportunity for expansion in Japan

Follow us our Newsletter Export&Chill already for some time – in doubt, Here. find the link to sign up – perhaps you will remember that we had already talked about it in the October edition, but since a moment is approaching so crucial for those who want to explore distant lands we thought to give you a guide on Japan, from culture to the best strategies to export to the Levant, obviously from the management of interpersonal relationships with locals. 

We are now and want to make sure we have given you all the tools for this intercontinental “journey”.

In this full immersion nipponica you will find:

The crucial event for the development of Italian companies will start on April 13th and will be an opportunity to promote Italian excellence and for those who want to invest in the Levant. 

In fact, Confindustria and the General Commissioner for Italy signed an Intesa Protocol for Expo 2025 Osaka, with the aim of promoting the participation of Italian companies. on internationalisation, tourism, attraction of investments and the valorization of Made in Italy.

The central theme of the Expo will be “Designing the society of the future for our lives”, a theme focused on the relationship between tradition, creativity and technological innovation, declined in three sub-measures: Save, Boost and Connect the LivesThe Italian Pavilion will interpret the theme with “Art regenerates Life”, where “art” is understood as a synonym for creativity and “a know how to make Italian”, famous all over the world. All Italian regions will participate to represent the identity of a variegated country like Italy. 

Expo 2025 is an important opportunity for Italian companies, for some very simple reasons:

• International visibility: Participating in Expo will allow Italian companies to produce and service an international audience.
• Networking: The event will also offer a unique opportunity to establish contacts with other companies, potential business partners and investors. 
• Great opportunities for expansion in the Japanese market: Participating in Expo allows Italian companies to know better and more easily the dynamics of the Japanese market

We never look at our bird only, but since we Mallei is a Genoese company with a strong bond with its origins, we wondered what opportunities and opportunities for Liguria could be and for Ligurian companies during and after the Expo. 

One of the objectives of Osaka 2025 for our region will be to attract as much as possible Japanese visits in Liguria, visits already growing from 2023. Liguria will be present from 29 June to 5 July 2025 and Ligurian companies will be able to prepare for Expo Osaka 2025 with a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening trade relations with Japan, promoted by Liguria International and Confindustria Liguria, with the support of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan. 

Osaka 2025 and all the events that precede the Expo will be fertile soil for the creation of new opportunities and once they arrive at their destination, the companies will have the opportunity to participate free of charge in B2B meetings in institutional representation spaces. 

Exporting to Japan is not only a question of logistics or commercial agreements: it is a cultural, strategic and positioning challengeOsaka is a privileged entry door for those who want to face this complex market, but full of opportunities. 

Can represent the starting point to understand how to approach business in Japan and, above all, how to adapt products and communication to conquer local consumers. 

In the following paragraphs we will enter into detail of these dynamics, exploring how ♪apanizing your approach and make your brand competitive in such a unique context.

What you should do for adapt your brand identity and your communication in view of a possible Japanese expansion? 

If you are talking about attracting to your brand a Japanese clientele, you can not but name the concept of Monozukuri, term translated as “art of creating things”, but the concept is much deeperIt represents the philosophy of production and manufacturing, founded on‘art of creating with passion, dedication, and a constant commitment to continuous improvementThis philosophy does not only refer to the act of producing objects, but also includes a strong focus on quality, innovation and respect for craftsmanship.

If your brand is re-enter the Monozukuri philosophy, it would be a brand that enhances the whole production process and care behind each product.

The advantage? This kind of approach would certainly be appreciated by the Japanese public who appreciates commitment and dedication to quality and continuous improvement.

Tell the story behind each product, from design to realization, and show how your team puts commitment, care and dedication in creating each piece, would allow your brand to connect emotionally with the Japanese public.

We enter more specifically and we talk about communication and activities of Digital Marketing: how will you discover soon, adapt your products and services to Japanese tradition is fundamental, but how do you communicate it to possible Japanese buyers? 

• By choosing who you mean: we don’t talk about us for once, but of specific figures such as influencers and creators of the place that exert real influence on Japanese consumers. Who better than an insider will know how to guide you in adapting your brand to Japanese tradition and culture? Influencers and creators can count on a very strong connection with their followers and will more easily drag your new customers to your brand.

• Selecting the right channels: This second strategy is actually related to the first. In fact, the help of local influencers is an effective practice for create content that resonate culturally and that are perceived as authentic by the Japanese publicBut you have to do it on the right channels. 
  
  Japan, your brand will be able to navigate on platforms already known as Instagram, fundamental to the visual aspect to which Japanese buyers are very tied and Facebook as one of the main B2B platforms. you will come across a very different use of X (ex Twitter), extremely popular Social Network in the Levant thanks to the rapid distribution of updates and news on important issues with which it is able to attract the wide Japanese population always looking for timely and reliable information. 
  
  If you master the use of Social Networks in the West, do not let yourself be deceived: as it happens for X, the other platforms are also used differently, but thanks to the influencer marketing you should be able to adapt your communication to the expectations of your new audience. 
  
  Do not underestimate the importance of support for using platforms such as Line, indispensable for Japanese marketing B2B: a messaging app that allows you to do different activities and will allow you to involve a vast market segment, maximizing the visibility of your brand and the potential to reach new customers.

We managed to transport you with your mind to Japan? the time for a guided tour and a dip in Japanese culture.

For example, Did you know that the seasons in Japan are not only a natural phenomenon but are part of everyday life and culture? Japan’s traditional agricultural calendar, unlike other parts of the world, divides the year into 24 solar terms, called sekki, and in 72 micro-seasons, or kō, each lasting only five days. numerous opportunities for brands and companies that want to join local culture and traditions. 

You're wondering if this is an article in Osaka 2025 and Export or an episode of Superquark theme “The harvest in Japan”, but now you'll understand why you'll know the way the Japanese scan the time is essential for your business. 

Indeed, microstages are not only a celebration of nature, but reflect a deeply rooted sensitivity in Japanese consumers towards the rhythm of the seasons, but above all towards the respect of its culture and its traditions. This is not only true for the seasons and below we will see how to “use” the knowledge of Japanese culture to break into the Levant Sun.

Customization of products and services

Changes related to year scanning in seasons and micro-seasons influence all aspects of everyday life, from food to clothes and represent a unique opportunity for companies to create an emotional connection with consumersThe result is a strong enhancement of seasonal products that reflect local culture and transmit the values of experience, emotion and bond with traditions.

Unlike Western markets, mainly focused on holidays such as Valentine's Day and Christmas, Japan offers a host of occasions to launch products celebrating seasons, from spring blooms to summer festivals, to autumn foliage and New Year's celebrations. Companies can maintain consumer interest and promote cyclical acquisition of goods and services.

Among all seasonal events, one of the most significant celebrations is certainly represented by cherry blossoming (sakura), in springThe cherry season is synonymous with rebirth, hope and beauty and Japanese consumers gather for traditional hanami, the observation of cherry blossoms. This period therefore becomes a perfect opportunity for companies to launch limited edition products and targeted marketing campaigns.

The food sector for example is one of the most active in capturing seasonal flavors: This box is a tribute to tradition, offering consumers a selection of delicacies to the taste of sakura and traditional desserts that reflect the flavors of the season.
This type of offer not only meets the expectations of consumers, but creates an emotional and sensory connection with the season itself; it is not simply about selling products, but offering experiences that are in tune with the country's cultural heritage. Companies that manage to do so are able not only to gain confidence, but also create an emotional and lasting bond with consumers. 

Business in Japan and cultural aspects

You have already thought about products and services that reflect the needs of the Japanese public and have studied a communication strategy worthy of the best Japanese influencer, but Do you know how you should address your Japanese prospects during business?

Here are some tips, fruit of years of experience taking the Japanese prospects contacted and met on behalf of our customers.

Do not be intrusive and avoids too direct approaches: Consider this paragraph a sort of ‘Galateo Export’, but more than keeping down the elbows from the table (the negotiations) remembered mantra of the type “with Japanese prospects I must forget the cold calls. Better start from a formal email and take a telephone appointment”. Remember that the Japanese social norms and customis system is very structured and a wrong move could offend your Japanese contacts and cost you the loss of interesting business. Live: remember that too explicit approaches, both verbal and physical, are not absolutely well seen.

Give time and time: The decision-making processes in Japan can be slow and involve many internal discussions and audits. create a relationship of trust with your prospects and then not be rushed; show impatience can damage negotiations, so it is important to demonstrate respect for the time needed for your partners to make a decision.

“It’s the details that count”: in Japan, without doubt; precision and attention to detail and every phase of negotiation has a remarkable weightBefore each meeting, make sure you are well prepared and know the details of your proposal thoroughly. The Japanese appreciate reliability and long-term relationships, then demonstrate how your product or service can support and improve their activity over time can be more effective.