Why Japanese Buy Products From Overseas

With the positive reputation that Japan has for its products they produce, it may seem funny to think that they would be importing goods internationally. But there are very good explanations for it and it is a cycle that keeps Japan’s exports steady too. If you take a look at the main imports for Japan you will see things like circuits, ores, optical readers, metals and wiring. These are all components or raw materials. Japan’s method for importing and exporting is that they purchase these materials cheaply from abroad, using that to create original and unique goods, and then selling it to other countries. The Japanese have a keen eye when it comes to innovation and creative ideas, so it makes complete sense that that is the main driving force behind their success in exporting many products.

One of the main reasons for importing from overseas which also applies to most countries as well, is that in some cases it is cheaper to buy it from abroad than it is to produce locally. You have probably seen many items in stores that have been labelled as “Made in China”, and that is due to the fact that lots of materials and goods are sold by China very cheaply. This keeps production costs for manufacturing goods cheaper, opening larger margins for profit and expanding the business. However, on the downside the materials bought from China are notoriously not the highest of qualities and it is a reflection of the cheap prices they are sold for. This can potentially cause issues down the line where if the quality of the materials used when making a product is too cheap, it will not be able to hold a high standard of quality that is aimed to be achieved by the Japanese companies. Therefore, thoughtful planning and vigorous testing must be made on which components and areas of the product will be able to use the cheaper materials, while the others will be made using materials of a better quality. By having a perfect blend of materials with varying grades, it makes it achievable to manufacture a product with the expected high quality that is expected of the Japanese, while also keeping the costs down as much as possible.

But it is not just big companies that are importing items from overseas for productions. As it is well-known across the globe, food is a massive factor in Japan’s culture and it is a beloved part of everyone’s lives here. While the Japanese of course love Japanese food, they are also a big fan of cuisines from other countries with a large food scene like France and Italy.

If you are ever strolling through the streets in Japan, you will probably notice that there are a lot of bakeries. Renowned for their baked goods, France’s breads and pastries have captured the hearts and tastebuds of many in Japan. This has led to the widespread popularity of bakeries which sell both Japanese but unsurprisingly, French breads and pastries alike. The famed artisanal element that French bakers are proud for is very reminiscent of the same commitment and care the Japanese take when honing in on their craft, so it was only a matter of time before these two worlds combined. This is also why you will see a good amount of French restaurants scattered across Japan including Michelin starred ones, and various French food items in stores too. Even something as little as salad dressing is a cherished import directly from France that is bought often.

You know what else Japan loves to do alongside eating delicious food? A nice drink like wine to pair with the meal. Being a country that sits on the upper end of nations that consumes the most wine in the world, it comes as little surprise that there is a big scene for wine imports in Japan. France, Chile and Italy hold the upper echelon positions for wine imports and it can be found commonly across the land. Even if these food products are more expensive due to it being imported, delicious food and drinks sourced directly from the country of origin is a commodity that the Japanese are willing to spend happily. Afterall, it is an option that is still a lot cheaper than flying to the country itself.

Another reason for Japan exporting goods is that they simply cannot be obtained in the country to a high enough standard or quality. Leading on from Italy and its wine, another big export to Japan is trunks and cases, but more specifically their leather. The high quality of leather that can be produced in Italy is hard to match, so many products created using it such as wallets and bags are a premium luxury, but so is the price too. However, as it cannot be rivalled easily against domestically made goods, it ends up falling back onto importing the best version of the product there is from somewhere else.

Japan’s success in exporting products is based on importing some material cheaply, the others in higher quality and producing high-quality products

Japan imports stuff that are cheaper to buy form abroad than producing domestically

Craftsmanship adds value to products, which attracts Japanese consumers and make them want buy imported food

Japan imports goods that they cannot be obtained in the country to a high enough standard or quality