K-pop Now Drives Exports... Korean Consumer Goods Target Japanese Market

KOTRA Holds Export Consultation Meeting Linked to K-pop Event
Connecting B2B Transactions to Consumer Promotion

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has launched efforts to open new export channels for domestic consumer goods companies to enter the Japanese market, in connection with 'KCON JAPAN 2025.'

KOTRA announced on the 12th that it held a B2B (business-to-business) export consultation meeting linked with 'KCON JAPAN 2025,' organized by CJ ENM, at the Tokyo International Forum in Japan on the 8th. The event was designed to strategically support domestic small and medium-sized consumer goods companies in entering the Japanese market. The aim was to leverage the strong recognition of 'KCON JAPAN 2025,' the world's largest festival introducing Korean Wave culture, within Japan.

KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) announced on the 12th that it held a B2B export consultation meeting linked with 'KCON JAPAN 2025,' organized by CJ ENM, at the Tokyo International Forum in Japan on the 8th. KOTRA

A total of 40 promising small and medium-sized consumer goods companies in sectors such as beauty, food, and fashion participated in the consultation meeting, where 82 major Japanese buyers engaged in 351 customized one-on-one consultations. In particular, there was a strong response to 'K-beauty,' with some companies receiving so much interest that their consultation slots were fully booked even before the event began.

Through this event, KOTRA achieved results including the signing of export memorandums of understanding (MOUs) worth 9.76 million dollars. The initiative has been praised as a representative win-win model, as it supports small and medium-sized companies' overseas expansion by utilizing the global networks of large corporations. It is also notable for its integrated B2B and B2C support, which organically links K-content events with export marketing, allowing immediate feedback from both buyers and consumers.

A representative from beauty company L said, "Because this event was linked to K-content, it was a great opportunity to raise awareness not only among buyers but also among general consumers," adding, "We hope this will serve as a stepping stone for entering the Japanese market."

Park Yongmin, head of KOTRA's Japan Regional Headquarters, stated, "The Korean Wave is more than just a cultural phenomenon; it is becoming an opportunity to expand exports," and added, "We will continue to provide active support so that promising domestic small and medium-sized companies can successfully enter the Japanese market and achieve shared growth, through close cooperation with relevant organizations and large corporations."