Japan is one of the largest and most desirable video game markets in the world. With a population of over 125 million people, the country is known for its high engagement and spending on video games, making it an essential market for game developers and studios looking to expand globally.
Japan is also home to some of the world’s largest and most successful gaming companies, including Nintendo, Sony, and Capcom. These companies have helped shape the gaming industry and have a strong influence on consumer preferences and trends in Japan.
By expanding your game to the Japanese market, you can tap into a massive audience of passionate gamers who are willing to spend money on their favorite games. This can help drive revenue growth and strengthen your brand’s presence in the global gaming landscape.
Which payment methods give you the strongest opportunity In Japan, consumers have a wide range of payment options available to them, including credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile payments. However, it’s important to note that credit cards are the most commonly used payment method in Japan.
Japanese consumers also tend to prioritize convenience and security when it comes to payment methods. As such, offering popular Japanese payment methods like Konbini (convenience store payments) and electronic money services like Suica and Pasmo can help increase your game’s appeal to Japanese players.
Japanese regulations that can impact your business Japan has strict regulations in place when it comes to online gaming, particularly around the sale of virtual items and gambling-like mechanics. As such, it’s important to ensure that your game complies with these regulations in order to avoid legal issues and protect your business.
In addition, Japan has specific rules around the collection and use of personal data, so it’s important to ensure that your game’s privacy policy is in compliance with Japanese law.
Limitations placed on game content Japan has specific regulations around game content, particularly when it comes to violence and sexual themes. It’s important to ensure that your game’s content is in compliance with Japanese law and cultural norms in order to avoid controversy and negative backlash from players.
You may not realize that credit cards and PayPal only reach around two-thirds of the potential Japanese audience. In a country of over 75 million gamers, that’s meaningful — but to access as many gamers as possible, it’s important to also support local payment methods that Japanese gamers already trust and use as part of their everyday habits.
To access as many gamers as possible in Japan, it’s important to support local payment methods that Japanese gamers already trust and use as part of their everyday habits, in addition to credit cards and PayPal, which only reach around two-thirds of the potential audience.
Konbini is a popular cash-based payment system in Japan, used by up to 20% of the Japanese e-commerce market. It allows users to pay for purchases at convenience stores or ATMs after making their purchases. It has approximately 20 million users, a 0% fraud rate, and a lower transaction fee compared to other cash-based payment methods. Major convenience store chains such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, Ministop, and Family Mart support Konbini, making it deeply integrated into everyday Japanese life.
Webmoney is a popular online payment method in Japan with the highest conversion rate among Japanese payment methods. Direct carrier billing is also a widely used payment method in Japan that is reliable and secure, with Japanese mobile carriers setting limits on spending based on criteria like age and credit history. Game developers are encouraged to be aware of Japanese regulations such as the Payment Services Act, Consumption Tax, Specified Commercial Transactions Law, and Know Your Customer requirements.
Japan has strict regulations regarding the level of violence allowed in online video games, and local payment service providers may refuse to work with games they consider too violent. To succeed in the Japanese video game market, developers and publishers need to understand these intricacies. QGlobe can help by providing access to local alternative payment methods, fraud protection, compliance with sales taxes and regulations, market expertise, and payouts in one financial stream. QGlobe also enables localized in-game store and website interfaces in over 20 languages, including Japanese, and provides a custom landing page that games can link to in order to meet the SCTL customer support requirement. Developers and publishers can contact QGlobe to learn about how they can help access the Japanese video game market and build an audience by way of effective payment rails.
Expanding your game to the Japanese market can be a complex process, but with the right knowledge and expertise, it can be a valuable opportunity for growth. QGlobe’s team of global gaming experts can help guide you through the process and provide the insights and tools you need to succeed in Japan and beyond. Contact us at media@qglobe.com to learn more.