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18 Mar 2001, France

Dear Dr. Ecommerce:

I want to sell a video microscope on the Net to a Japanese
professionals in sectors like jewellery, technology, biotechnology, etc.

I'd like to know about the legislation and restrictions (tax, duties..) in Japan? I'm looking for a partner who could help me to launch my product on the Internet. What if I choose Sony as a partner for example? What do you think? Are there key differences in the attitudes or cultures in Asia, in particular in Japan towards E-commerce? Do I have to translate my site into Japanese (if yes, where can I find a translator?) or I can keep it in English?

Thank you very much!!

Kiss Dr...

Dear Chineese Marec:

Kiss!?! Mrs. Ecommerce does not at all approve of my being kissed by French students!

Contact the commercial office of the Japanese embassy in Paris for information about the Japanese market, potential partners and Japanese law.

Sony is a manufacturer, not a marketer, so they will probably not be interested in being your partner.

Japanese culture is very different to European or Chinese culture, so you should study it before you attempt to break into the Japanese market. There are many books on this subject.

If you want to maximise your sales in Japan, you will not only need to translate your web site into Japanese, but you will need customer service staff who can handle Japanese language enquiries and orders. Alternatively, you could team up with a Japanese distribution and marketing company.

Good luck,

Dr. Ecommerce