On Getting Information from Japanese Organizations

Attempts to get assistance from Japanese-affiliated organizations do not always meet with success, especially when the person asking is a non-Japanese. Computing Japan contacted numerous computer-related organizations to identify those that are willing to help foreign companies understand the Japanese market.

by Robert Lemos

Japanese organizations and associations are a logical source of information about Japan. When contacted for this article, however, many of the groups that we called informed Computing Japan that they cannot provide key information (the excuse often being that obtaining such information is difficult). Several NGOs (non-governmental organizations) went as far to inform us that their purpose is definitely not to help foreign companies or individuals.

For the most part, though, the Japanese organizations contacted were helpful and friendly. Quite a few are happy to disseminate their research on the Japanese market to foreign inquirers. Occasionally, reports are offered free, or at least quite inexpensively. If the information is key to your company's business decisions, buy the research. An added benefit of buying a research report is that the agency who provided it will be much more likely to answer your more specific questions on the material the next time you call.

When contacting a Japanese organization (especially an NGO), it is important to have a Japanese person do the calling. A foreigner fluent in Japanese is a viable alternative, but he or she probably will not get as good results. So, if you cannot handle the questions yourself, in fluent Japanese, then don't call; have someone else in the office do it.

No go on NGOs?

In general, the non-government organizations we called seem to be a bit hesitant about giving information to foreign companies. Several of the organizations were downright unfriendly. These research centers and industrial associations were formed by consortiums to perform a specific set of tasks, and those stated tasks often do not include disseminating information to outside sources. Some organizations, like the Japan Personal Computer Software Association (JPCSA), the Japan Electronic Industries Development Association (JEIDA), and the Japan Recording-Media Industries Association (JRMIA), however, were designed to act as public relations groups for their industries. Such groups are very willing to help the public learn more about their segment of the Japanese market. Yet, while many of these organizations are friendly and open to inquiries, they usually only deal with the press. Some will entertain legitimate business inquires from the corporate sector, though, and several others publish publicly available information. Whether by a phoned question or by reading a book, information can be had from many Japanese organizations. As suggested, having a Japanese speaker make the call can smooth the waters, and asking if the organization sells the information in book form can also break the ice. Don't expect to have the information presented on a platter for your consumption, though. Instead, expect to have to rephrase the question in ten different ways, talk to three different staff members, and generally have your search for market information slowed down to a crawl. If your question is important enough to expend the effort and time, then you can probably get the answer.

Help from the government

Unlike many NGOs, organizations closely affiliated with the government are usually friendly and very helpful. In general, the most helpful are the trade organizations JETRO and the Keidanren. However, these groups do not provide much in the way of hard data. Rather, they attempt to educate Japanese and foreign companies alike in market strategies. Ministries like the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications are not very helpful on the phone, but they do provide good reference materials in the form of "white papers," which are now colorful, and thick, volumes. The MPT releases an annual Communications White Paper; MITI produces the Industry White Paper; and the Database Development Center issues a Database White Paper. The services and seminars provided by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Economic Federation (Keidanren) are many and varied. JETRO, an organization originally intended to help Japan increase its exports to other countries, now concentrates its efforts on bilateral trade. The Keidanren, on the other hand, is an economic federation acting as a go between for corporations within Japan only. Overall, government organizations can be much more helpful than private organizations. Yet, NGOs are much better focused, covering specific subjects such as software piracy (SOFTiC), and database development (DPC). The best advice may be to first contact the relevant government agency and, if it does not have the information, ask for alternative sources.*

Industry Associations

Federation of Economic Organizations 経*'c'ﾌ連合会（経'c連） Phone: 03-3279-1411 Fax: 03-5255-6250 The focus of much of the US's ire over non-tariff trade barriers, the Keidanren maintains that they accept a variety of companies. While the Federation's member companies are all based in Japan, fifty-three foreign-controlled companies are currently members. The Keidanren provides information to nonmember companies, including a book in English called Access to Japan covering procurement and access to Japanese companies. General inquires are welcome. Kansai Economic Federation 関西経腰A合会（関経連） Phone: 06-441-0101 Fax: 06-443-5347 While the Kankeiren is mainly a resource for Japanese companies in the Kansai region, it does support contact groups between member companies and foreign industries. For information on the various programs, please call the federation.

Import/Export-related organizations

Manufactured Imports Promotion Organization (MIPRO) *'c法人　製品輸"*'｣進協会 Phone: 03-3988-2791 Fax: 3988-1629 MIPRO supports the importing of manufactured goods by holding trade shows, acting as a distribution point for relevant information and supporting local importers of foreign goods. Questions regarding possible imports or available services are welcome. Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) "本貿*'振興会 Phone: 03-3582-5561 Fax: 03-3505-5747 Everyone has heard of JETRO, formed to promote harmonious worldwide trade. Whether or not trade has become more peaceful, JETRO offers several services for foreign companies, including searching foreign countries for possible imports, running business information centers in Japan for foreign visitors, and operating Centers for Industrial and Technological Cooperation (CITEC) in North America, Europe, and Oceania. The organization also runs trade shows and cultural fairs and can provide information on a wide range of subjects including business, trade, and economics. Inquiries are welcome.

Software-related organizations

Japan Personal Computer Software Association (JPCSA) "本パーソナルコ*"ピュータソフトウェア協会 Phone: 03-3253-9166 Fax: 03-3253-0159 This association releases a variety of information on the Japanese computer software industry. Examples include a survey of OS-platform market share and estimation of total market size. While the organization does not respond to general inquiries, it does publish several market analyses.

Software Information Center (SOFTiC)

*'c法人ソフトウェア情報セ*"ター Phone: 03-3437-3071 Fax: 03-3437-3398 This group researches the legal issues surrounding the computer software market in Japan. Among its various responsibilities are tracking the software market, recommending modifications to current software-related laws and contracts, and studying the issues of ethics and legality of various aspects of the software market. Inquiries by fax are welcome. Database Promotion Center (DPC) データベース振興セ*"ター Phone: 03-3459-8581 Fax: 03-3432-7558 This organization is responsible for promoting Japanese databases to foreign companies and organizations. Inquiries by phone and fax are welcome. Japan Database Industry Association "本データベース協会 Phone: 03-3235-5966 Fax: 03-3235-5976 The JDIA collects information on the database market in Japan and also sponsors the Database '95 show. The association promotes the usage of databases and database applications by Japanese companies. Questions are welcome from the press and companies interested in using databases in Japan.

Hardware-related organizations

Japan Electronic Industries Development Association (JEIDA) "本"d子工巨U興協会 Phone: 03-3433-7609 Fax: 03-3433-2003 JEIDA concentrates its efforts on collecting data and compiling statistics on the Japanese computer market. The association also publishes several reports in Japanese and a single one in English, Computer Industries in Japan. Inquires by fax or phone are welcome. Japan Recording-Media Industry Association (JRMIA) "本記録メディア工級* Phone: 03-3501-0631 Fax: 03-3501-0630 Deals with any kind of recordable media; for example, floppy disks, audio tapes, video tapes, and hard disks. Specific requests for data are welcome.

Information-related organizations

Japan Information Processing Development Center *'c法人　"本情報処理開"協会 Phone: 03-3432-9371 Fax: 03-3432-9379 JIPDEC was established almost 30 years ago to promote computer-based information processing and communications through the Japanese industry. To achieve this goal, the organization conducts research and development related to infomation processing technologies and information-related businesses and services. General inquires are welcome. InfoCom Research, Inc. 情報'ﾊ信'麹㈹､究所 Phone: 03-3470-7508 Fax: 03-3746-2275 Researches and publishes a wide variety of books in Japanese on the information technology and communications markets in Japan. Some of the titles include the J/E-E/J Dictionary of Information Technology and Communications Terms and the Information Technology and Communications Handbook. Questions about their published material are welcome.

Communications

Communication Industry Association of Japan "本'ﾊ信機器振興会 Phone: 03-3231-3156 Fax: 03-3246-0495 This organization provides development assistance and guidance to communications equipment manufacturers. Secondary roles include collection of data on the import and export of telecommunications equipment, sponsoring seminars, and publishing reports on the industry. Questions regarding specific areas of the industry are welcome from member companies and the press. Telecommunications Associations 社'c法人 "d気'ﾊ信協会 Phone: 03-3211-5026 Fax: 03-3201-6015 Created in 1938, the Telecommunications Association has a long history of promoting the Japanese telecommunications and related industries. In addition, the association supports communications technology development and education of citizens in the technology. Questions related to the telecommunications industry are welcome.