As I’ve mentioned in several blog posts and LinkedIn updates, the Japanese version of the m19 dashboard will finally be available next month! This update involved the meticulous task of reviewing nearly 3,000 terms to ensure the most natural and user-friendly Japanese translations. Additionally, after the dashboard goes live, we need to monitor it in the live environment and make necessary adjustments to improve user experience. Through this process, I’ve come to realize just how crucial it is to tailor solutions specifically for the Japanese market.

In a recent meeting with a major Japanese media agency, it became clear that the following five elements are especially important when it comes to overseas tech solutions. These elements are key to the success of overseas tech companies entering the Japanese market and are also critical considerations for businesses selecting solutions.

• Natural Japanese dashboards
  Japanese companies seek dashboards that are not just direct translations, but ones that are adapted to the local culture and conventions. For instance, Japanese advertising agencies have specifically requested the ability to save report templates. This feature is essential for agencies to efficiently organize data and generate reports for clients. Including such features tailored to the local needs improves usability and directly contributes to business success.
• Offering valuable features that are missing from the Japanese market
  Japan has unique needs, and many features available in other markets are not yet available in Japan. For example, the optimization function using Total ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales) is highly valued by Japanese advertising agencies. Providing this feature allows for better performance for clients, making contract renewals smoother and helping to expand the customer base.
• Developing unique features needed for the Japanese market
  Developing features specifically requested by the Japanese market is essential. For instance, the “report template saving function” requested by Japanese advertising agencies helps businesses save frequently used standardized reports. Providing such tailored features ensures a competitive edge in the Japanese market.
• Fair pricing
  Japan places a high value on high-quality services offered at a fair price. Pricing is crucial in this market, and it’s important to avoid pricing that is too high compared to the local market. Japanese companies value cost performance, and offering competitive prices within the local market’s price expectations is key to gaining customer trust.
• Support responsiveness (speed and quality)
  Japanese companies place great emphasis on the speed and quality of support. When issues arise, it’s essential to have a system in place to address them swiftly. Japanese advertising agencies have praised quick and high-quality support in the past, and providing this type of service builds trust and long-term relationships with clients.

By meeting these requirements, you can find the right “puzzle pieces” for the Japanese market and significantly increase your chances of success. Many overseas companies try to apply the “puzzle pieces” from their domestic or primary markets directly to Japan, but in reality, adjustments are essential to fit the unique needs of the Japanese market. If the pieces don’t fit, the chances of success are drastically reduced.

I firmly believe that by fulfilling these requirements, many more overseas tech solutions will succeed in the Japanese market.

Masaki “Mark” Iino
Founder & CEO
SOPHOLA, Inc