Tag: japan mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is blossoming in Japan

| June 11, 2013

Japan sees strong growth in mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is growing quickly in Japan. Consumers in many of the country’s largest cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, are beginning to favor shopping on their mobile devices. These consumers had already been heavily exposed to e-commerce and the world of online shopping, making the transition to mobile commerce significantly easier. According to the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, mobile commerce grew by 16.2% in 2011 and continues to grow as more consumers become comfortable with the notion of purchasing products with their smartphones and tablets.

Fashion sector sees major boost from mobile sales

Mobile commerce has had a dramatic impact on several sectors of the retail industry, but Japan’s fashion sector has been seeing the majority of this impact in recent months. Zozotown, one of the country’s leading fashion retailers specializing in e-commerce, reports that it has seen no less than 40% of its sales come from mobile devices in 2012. Rakutan, another Japanese e-commerce company, notes that 30% of its sales have come through mobile commerce over the same time frame.

Japanese Mobile Commerce - Retail IndustryNew companies showing strong interest in Japanese mobile commerce

The growing proclivity among Japanese consumers when it comes to mobile commerce has lead to something of a surge in mobile commerce applications. Many organizations recognize the growth of mobile commerce in Japan as a powerful opportunity and have been working to introduce new applications and mobile payments platforms to the country in recent months. New capital has lead to the emergence of new startups that aim to be the next big name in mobile commerce and this has lead to a marked increase in the competition that exists in this particular field.

Small companies may be unable to compete with larger companies

While more competition can be good for consumers, it is not necessarily good for businesses. Startup company’s may have high ambitious, but whether or not they will be able to compete with much larger companies that have already established a strong presence in the mobile commerce sector has yet to be seen. So far, consumers appear to favor the platforms supported by larger companies they are more familiar with than those coming from largely unknown organizations.

Square to bring mobile payments to Japan

| May 28, 2013

Japanese consumers to have new option when it comes to mobile payments

Leading mobile payments firm Square has announced that its mobile commerce platform of the same name is now available in Japan. This represents the first time the company has expanded beyond the North American market. Asia has become one of the most attractive markets when it comes to mobile commerce due to the high level of penetration that mobile technology has been seeing over the years. Japan, in particular, has proven to be a hub of activity when it comes to mobile payments.

iPhone consumers may be welcoming of Square

The iPhone is one of the most popular mobile devices among Japanese consumers. This is somewhat ideal for Square as the company’s flagship mobile payments platform was designed for the iOS platform before also being made compatible with the Android platform. Square believes that it can find favor with a multitude of consumers that are eager to participate in mobile commerce without having to embrace NFC technology or purchase a new mobile device just to make mobile payments.

Japan Mobile PaymentsCompetition expected to be fierce

Square’s entry into the Japanese market is being considered very bold as the country is home to several mobile commerce initiatives that have already successfully enthralled many consumers. Square is expected to face staunch competition from NTT docomo and KDDI, two of the largest companies in the mobile commerce sector in Japan. PayPal has also established a strong foothold in Japan through its partnership with Softbank. Square believes that it will be able to win over consumers with its flare for design.

Future of mobile payments in Japan is uncertain for Square

Square has managed to establish a great deal of popularity in the mobile payments space. The company has helped expand mobile commerce throughout North America and has proven that it can compete with other companies that exist in this increasingly crowded field. The Asian market is quite different from that of North America, however, which makes Square’s future in Japan anything but certain.