From a simple web posting, to customized research, to in-person meetings, the U.S. Commercial Service can help you find business partners in Japan. Take advantage of the name recognition of the U.S. Embassy to open doors and take your first steps toward success in the world's second largest economy.
Connecting you to business opportunities in markets around the world as fast and efficiently as possible is a priority for the U.S. Commercial Service (CS). This means consistent, simplified pricing and less red tape. To this end, we’re pleased to announce our new user fee schedule. Click here.
Featured U.S. Exporters (FUSE)
Over 4,000 Japanese importers, distributors, wholesalers and agents have registered with our Japanese language website and receive our biweekly Japanese language newsletter in their search for innovative American products and services. Reach out to them - in Japanese - by becoming a Featured U.S. Exporter on the site. Click here for details and here to see an example of how a posting will appear. Click here for a registration form.
Gold Key Service (GKS)
If you plan to visit Japan, we can arrange business appointments for you with potential partners. Our industry specialists put you face-to-face with pre-screened companies that have expressed interest in working with you, enabling you to make the most efficient use of your time in Japan. The Gold Key Service is offered in all major Japanese cities. Click here for more details, or send email to Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov for more information.
Fee Structure
| Company size | One day | Two days |
|---|---|---|
| SME* | $700 | $1,000 |
| Large Company | $2,300 | $3,300 |
For New-to-Export SMEs, there may be an additional discount. Please contact Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov for further details.
*A Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or self-certified as a small business under SBA regulations.
Video Gold Key Service (VGKS)
If you like the face-to-face interaction offered under the Gold Key Service but can't visit Japan, try the Video Gold Key Service. Our industry specialists arrange live video conferences with pre-screened companies that have expressed interest in working with you. The fee is $800 for up to three separate meetings of roughly one hour each. Click here for more details, or send email to Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov for more information.
Platinum Key Service (PKS)
Our industry specialists can help you identify emerging market opportunities, develop effective market entry and sales strategies, understand regulatory and licensing requirements and the duty/tariff/quota structure for your products, advise on potential market entry barriers, and more. Fees are based on a mutually agreed-upon scope of work and length of service. For more information click here or email Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov .
Customized Market Research (CMR)
If you need more customized research to address questions and issues related to your specific product or service in the Japanese marketplace, try our Customized Market Research. Available on a quick turn-around basis, research can address such issues as overall marketability of your product or service, price of comparable products or services, distribution channels, entry barriers, potential business partners, and more. Fees vary according to the scope of work. For more information click here or email Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov .
Japan International Company Profile (ICP)
The "Japan International Company Profile" (JICP) helps U.S. companies evaluate potential business partners with confidence by providing detailed research reports on Japanese firms. CS Japan now subcontracts part of these reports with Japan's leading source of business intelligence, Teikoku Databank, Ltd., the largest corporate credit research company in Japan. Through this service, U.S. clients will receive detailed profiles of Japanese companies based on personal visits and research by members of TD's staff of 1,500 professional field reporters operating out of 82 offices nationwide. In addition, U.S. clients will receive expert advice from our Commercial Specialists regarding, among other things, the relative strength of the firm in its market and its reliability. The fee for the JICP is shown below and the turn-around time is negotiable. Should the client desire information other than that provided by the standard JICP report, we recommend instead our Customized Market Research (CMR) service, for which both the scope of work and the fee are negotiated between the client and CS Japan. For more information, please send an e-mail to Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov .
Fee Structure
| SME* | $600 |
| Large Company | $900 |
For New-to-Export SMEs, there may be an additional discount. Please contact Manabu.Inoue@mail.doc.gov for further details.
*A Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or self-certified as a small business under SBA regulations.
Market Access and Compliance (MAC)
If you believe you are facing regulatory or access barriers to the Japanese market, consult with our Market Access and Compliance Unit. Our team of experts in Japan and the United States works to broaden access to the Japanese market for American firms and to ensure full compliance with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. In line with the Department of Commerce's Standards Initiative, one focus of our efforts is on assisting U.S. firms with standards-related testing/certification issues that may be impacting their ability to do business in the Japanese market. Email Dean.Matlack@mail.doc.gov for more information.
U.S. Pavilions at Japanese Trade Events
We organize a wide range of trade events each year, including U.S. pavilions at major Japanese trade shows, technical seminars, etc. These events are designed to feature U.S. products and services in the best possible environment. We normally integrate our events with market briefings and off-site visits to increase the value of your visit to Japan. A complete listing of all trade exhibitions, forthcoming CS Japan events, along with linked information on how to participate, is provided in our Event Calendar.
Commercial News USA
Interested in promoting your products and services to more than 400,000 international buyers in 145 countries? Then advertise in the U.S. Commerce Department’s official magazine, Commercial News USA (CNUSA) . Distributed free of charge every other month by U.S. embassies and consulates all over the world, CNUSA promotes the products & services of U.S. enterprises that are looking for international business partners. CNUSA has a proven track record of high response rates and solid sales results.
To find out how you too can promote your company internationally through the Commerce Department’s official magazine, CNUSA, please click here.
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Disclaimer
The U.S. Commercial Service promotes American exports and protects U.S. commercial interests abroad. Our export promotion programs should not be construed as an endorsement of any specific company or product. We are pleased to support the marketing efforts of U.S. companies in the U.S., and all firms selling American goods and services in Japan.