Aki Fuchigami

Tokyo, Japan

Founder and CEO of OPTI Inc.

Japan's Digital Deficit: Why SaaS, AI, and Gaming Make Japan the Best Market for Digital Goods

Japan's Digital Deficit: Why SaaS, AI, and Gaming Make Japan the Best Market for Digital Goods

Japan has a digital goods problem — and for foreign companies selling software, games, AI tools, and SaaS products, that problem is actually a massive opportunity. For decades, the narrative of US-Japan trade was dominated by physical goods: Japanese cars flooding American highways, Japanese electronics filling American living rooms. The trade

Understanding Japan Through Foreign Eyes: What Viral Videos Reveal About Selling in Japan

Understanding Japan Through Foreign Eyes: What Viral Videos Reveal About Selling in Japan

What do viral YouTube videos about Japan reveal about business opportunities? More than you might think. In recent years, videos showcasing Japanese culture, customer service, and products have exploded in popularity worldwide. These aren't just entertainment — they're a window into what makes Japan's consumer

PSE and PSC Certification: Why ACP Alone Won't Get Your Products into Japan

PSE and PSC Certification: Why ACP Alone Won't Get Your Products into Japan

If you're planning to sell physical products in Japan, having an Authorized Customs Procedure (ACP) arrangement is just the beginning. Many foreign companies discover — often too late — that Japan's product safety regulations require separate certifications that no customs procedure can replace. Two of the most critical

The Hidden Costs That Blindside Foreign Companies in Japan

The Hidden Costs That Blindside Foreign Companies in Japan

Japan is one of Asia's most coveted markets — a high-income, brand-conscious consumer base of 125 million people with a strong appetite for quality foreign products and services. Yet for every success story, there are dozens of foreign companies that entered Japan having budgeted $50,000 to $80,000

Amazon Japan Account Suspensions: The Growing Risk for Foreign Sellers

Amazon Japan Account Suspensions: The Growing Risk for Foreign Sellers

Amazon Japan Account Suspensions: The Growing Risk for Foreign Sellers Amazon Japan has become increasingly strict in its enforcement of seller policies, with foreign merchants facing disproportionately high suspension rates compared to their domestic counterparts. Recent data suggests that cross-border sellers are 3-4 times more likely to face account suspensions,

Japan Hidden Regulatory Maze: What Global Brands Wish They Knew

Japan Hidden Regulatory Maze: What Global Brands Wish They Knew

Japan Hidden Regulatory Maze: What Global Brands Wish They Knew For foreign companies considering entry into the Japanese market, the regulatory environment can appear straightforward on the surface. However, beneath this facade lies a complex web of interconnected regulations, bureaucratic procedures, and implicit compliance expectations that can ensnare even the

The $2 Million Compliance Bill: How Regulatory Gaps Cost Foreign Companies

The $2 Million Compliance Bill: How Regulatory Gaps Cost Foreign Companies

The $2 Million Compliance Bill: How Regulatory Gaps Cost Foreign Companies In late 2023, a mid-sized US software company received a letter that would fundamentally change their Japan expansion strategy. After three years of successful operations in Japan, generating over $15 million in annual revenue, they faced an unexpected tax