What is Loopbound
ループバウンドについて
Why overseas?
According to population projections, Japan's total population is expected to continue decreasing. In contrast, the global population is predicted to reach 9 billion around 2037 and exceed 10 billion around 2058. For many companies, it is essential to consider expansion in not only the Japanese market but also to overseas markets.
※Extract from United Nations (2022) 'World Population Prospects'.
The number of foreign visitors to Japan continues to increase
In 2023, the number of foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 30 million, and the government has set a target of 60 million by 2030.
If this trend continues, it is expected to reach 100 million by 2050.
South Korea, Taiwan, China & Hong Kong: 62.7% (15.7 million people)
United States: 8.2% (2.0 million people)
Europe: 6.6% (1.5 million people)
Source: Japan National Tourism Organisation.
The future market size is projected to reach 15 trillion yen.
In 2023, the total number of domestic Japanese travelers reached 497.5 million, with domestic travel expenditure, including overnight stays, amounting to 17.8 trillion yen.
On the other hand, in the same year, the number of foreign visitors to Japan was 25 million, with consumption totaling 5.3 trillion yen. By 2030, the government aims for 60 million visitors and a market size of 15 trillion yen.
The inbound tourism market continues to expand annually and is expected to match the scale of the domestic travel market by 2030.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency.
The Relationship Between Inbound Tourism and Cross-Border E-Commerce Deployment ①
When examining cross-border e-commerce (EC) purchase experiences on Japanese EC sites, it becomes clear that users with "experience visiting Japan" are more likely to purchase Japanese products.
In English-speaking regions, 84.5% of respondents who had previously visited Japan reported having experience purchasing Japanese products through EC platforms, a significantly higher percentage compared to those who had never visited Japan.
In Asia, the purchase rate among visitors to Japan is also high, and the "experience of purchasing Japanese products" appears to be even higher than in English-speaking regions.
Visitation Experience and Cross-Border EC Usage of Japanese Products
Source: 'Cross-border EC usage survey', survey by zig-zag,Inc.
The Relationship Between Inbound Tourism and Cross-Border E-Commerce Deployment ②
Approximately one-third of foreign visitors to Japan purchase products through e-commerce (EC) platforms after returning home.
Additionally, about one-third of those who did not make a purchase cited reasons such as "wanting to purchase but being unable to" or "not knowing how to purchase." This indicates a significant potential for post-visit EC sales growth.
Survey Overview
- Target Audience:
- Cross-border purchasing support service "Buyee" customers
- Countries/Regions:
- United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, United Kingdom
- Number of Respondents:
- 749
- Survey Period:
- July–August 2023
- Survey Method:
- Online Questionnaire
- Conducted by:
- BEENOS Group
Have you ever purchased products you discovered or bought during your visit to Japan through cross-border EC after returning home?
Reasons for Not Purchasing Through Cross-Border E-Commerce
It is preferable not to view inbound and outbound strategies separately
but rather to integrate them with cross-border e-commerce (EC)
into a unified Loop Strategy.
While Japan faces economic uncertainty due to a declining population caused by low birth rates and an aging society, the continuous increase in foreign visitors is creating an emerging market that cannot be ignored.
Foreign visitors to Japan often purchase or use products and services they experienced in Japan even after returning to their home countries. Conversely, those who have experienced Japanese products and services in their home countries may also seek authentic experiences during their trips to Japan.
So that means the inbound and outbound markets are not separate entities but are interconnected. Amplifying these two strategies through synergistic "Loop Initiatives" will form the foundation of future global strategies.
If you are interested in any of our company's initiatives, please contact us.
For inquiries regarding Inbound/Outbound initiatives,