We localize
E-commerce brands
for Japan.
Our native online shop, logistics and marketing services by local specialists help established e-commerce brands grow in Japan.
Who we are
TAMKO X empowers established e-commerce brands to navigate culture and grow in Japan.
With over 30 years of Japanese market experience, we are your localization partner for Japan, working with native Japanese-market specialists to help with cultural navigation, online shop setup, logistics, digital marketing and more.
What we do
+ Localize DTC/D2C Brands
Properly adapt your global brand for Japan by navigating cultural nuances and local expectations, from properly translating online shops and product pages, to localizing social media and digital marketing content.
+ Reach Japanese audiences
Identify and reach your target customers in Japan through localized ad management, collaborating with Japanese influencers, localizing press releases distributed via Japan’s top platform, and more.
+ Assist with logistics in Japan
Get support with connecting to an Importer of Record (IOR), selecting and coordinating with the 3PL provider, and receive ongoing support for inventory updates, order management, and Japanese customer service.
How We Compare
| CAPABILITY | TAMKO X | FREELANCER | TRANSLATION SERVICE | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional translation | ✔ | − | ✔ | ✕ |
| On-brand Japanese copywriting | ✔ | − | ✕ | ✕ |
| Shopify expertise | ✔ | − | ✕ | ✕ |
| Target culture fluency | ✔ | − | ✕ | ✕ |
| Digital ad support | ✔ | − | ✕ | − |
| Japanese influencer support | ✔ | − | ✕ | ✕ |
| Pricing transparency | ✔ | − | ✔ | ✔ |
| Native-level JP & EN team | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Strategy & ongoing support | ✔ | − | ✕ | ✕ |
Starter Packages
Localized site + Ongoing Support
For a solid foundation + consulting to sell more in Japan.
✔︎ Shopify store w/ Japanese UI
✔︎ Translation & on-brand copywriting
✔︎ Up to 12 product pages
✔︎ Required legal pages
✔︎ 1-year of Japanese market consulting
✔︎ 1-year of shop maintenance & updates
✔︎ 1-year of inbound inquiry support
✔︎ Importing & logistics support option
———
$10,000
USD. Tax included. 1-year support begins after site is completed, up to 8 hours per month.
Localized site
For a basic foundation to begin selling in Japan.
✔︎ Shopify store w/ Japanese UI
✔︎ Translation & on-brand copywriting
✔︎ Up to 12 product pages
✔︎ Required legal pages
———
$5,000
USD. Tax included.
Custom Packages
For larger-scale projects or ongoing multi-channel support for Japan.
✔︎ Strategy & consulting
✔︎ Brand localization
✔︎ E-commerce
✔︎ Paid media
———
Reviews
“Your expertise in the Japanese market and the support you provided were invaluable in helping us showcase our brand effectively in Japan.
We truly appreciate the seamless collaboration with your team.”
— Group Director of Content & Digital Marketing
Why Us
✔︎ Proven
track record in Japan
Clients trust us because our Group has helped 150 publicly traded clients in Japan over 30+ years.
✔︎ Communication-focused
More than translating, we get your message across natively while maintaining brand consistency.
✔︎ Bilingual expertise
Our project communication is in fluent English and our output is done by native Japanese-speaking specialists.
Request a Package
For larger-scale, custom plans, please inquire here.
We do not share information with third parties. Information submitted through this form is subject to our Privacy Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Translation involves changing text from one language to another.
Localization is the process of modifying texts and visuals for an audience in a different country or culture.
Localization is more complex than translation because it involves in-depth knowledge of the target country and culture in order to adapt material so that the meaning is kept and the message achieves the desired impact.
-
With native English team members who understand your message and brand, and professional Japanese experts who understand the target, we can properly focus on localizing the message rather than just directly translating the text.
Japanese has 3 writing systems: hiragana （ひらがな）, katakana（カタカナ）, and kanji（漢字）. The combination of these a word is spelled with and their frequency in a sentence can change what the target customer feels. This is just one of the many factors we consider when localizing.
Even if a translation is 100% accurate, the impression of the brand/product and the motivation to purchase will be affected. This means everything on an e-commerce site and in marketing. We help our clients navigate this.
-
Client communication is handled by native-level English project managers.
All Japanese-language deliverables are done by native-level Japanese professionals with experience working on fully domestic projects in Japan.
Unlike other service providers, we don’t utilize non-native English or second-language Japanese speakers.
-
Yes. Both starter packages are designed to give you a properly localized foundation to sell in Japan. We have a wide range of capabilities and are able to grow with you.
-
For our Localized Site package, we charge 50% upfront, 50% on delivery. For our Localized Site + Ongoing Support package, we charge 50% upfront, 50% at the midpoint.
We accept wire transfers, local bank transfers, and credit card payments (3% processing fee). Billing is done in USD.