Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced on the 15th that it is launching the "2026 Tokyo Makuake Store Entry Program" in partnership with Makuake, Japan's largest crowdfunding platform.
Information sessions and one-on-one consultations were held offline at KOTRA headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul over two days on the 12th and 13th. The sessions covered the Makuake platform structure, success cases, Japanese consumer characteristics, export declaration procedures, and customs support programs.
During the subsequent consultations, representatives from Makuake and partner companies met directly with Korean firms to assess product competitiveness and suitability for the Japanese market. The program targets consumer goods including small appliances, kitchenware, interior products, pet supplies, and cosmetics, with particular focus on helping innovative companies without prior Japan export experience enter the market while minimizing initial risks.
Crowdfunding platforms raise funds from the public based on product ideas or prototypes before commercialization. Notable examples include Kickstarter in the United States and Wadiz in Korea.
Founded in 2013, Makuake is a leading platform with 13 million members in Japan. It has evolved beyond simple fundraising to serve as a gateway for overseas market testing, brand awareness building, and retail distribution entry.
KOTRA plans to provide phased support to help Korean companies leverage consumer feedback gained through Makuake to expand into Japan's online and offline distribution channels.
"Makuake is a strategic platform that allows companies to validate product competitiveness based on actual Japanese consumer responses," said Park Yong-min, Head of KOTRA's Japan Regional Division. "We will actively support Korean companies to establish themselves in the Japanese market and achieve substantial export growth."