Entry preparation — fixing the entry method
After the target country is set, give shape to the execution plan, partner selection, and initial sales design.
Entry preparation — fixing the entry method
After the target country is set, give shape to the execution plan, partner selection, and initial sales design.
In entry preparation, more internal stakeholders join — sales, legal, logistics, QA. You need the distributor longlist, the regulatory map, competitor entry examples, and initial sales candidates aligned in time so that execution order can be decided.
We do not just list candidates. We include exclusion reasons, priorities, and next points to verify, so that partner selection and initial sales design can be debated from the same document.
Whether you go via distributors, direct sales, OEM, or M&A, regulatory / certification / tariff assumptions are verified from primary sources and laid out as the basis for cost estimation and execution planning.
Does any of this sound familiar?
If several items apply, it is time to structure your decision points.
- Target country is set; you are weighing distributor vs. direct vs. OEM vs. M&A
- You want to organize regulatory / certification / tariff requirements as the base for execution and cost estimates
- You want to understand competitor entry methods to reinforce your winning-edge hypothesis and initial sales design
- You want a side-by-side comparison of "direct local entity" vs. "via distributor" with pros and cons
- You want partner candidates, sales candidates, and regulatory points aligned so execution order can be decided
Services for this stage
One flagship service plus complementary services by question. Combinations are welcome.
Overseas Distributor and Sales-Partner Longlist Research
A comparison table of sales-partner candidates for initial sales design
We organize sales-partner candidates for your products in overseas markets into a comparison table you can use for initial sales design. We check each candidate's product lines, key customers, sales region, contact details, exclusion reasons, and priority, giving you material to define your entry method.
Complementary services
18 servicesSales Prospect and Customer Longlist Research
A customer-candidate list for direct-sales initial sales design
Partnership and Alliance Candidate Longlist Research
Compare local partner candidates by entry scenario
M&A Candidate Longlist Research (Small-Scale M&A Focus)
Candidate organization for an initial look at the buy-to-enter option
OEM and Contract Manufacturer Longlist Research
Research to compare candidates for local production or manufacturing transfer
Supplier and Raw-Material Sourcing Longlist Research
Supplier research to diversify sourcing risk and compare alternative candidates
Official SNS Account Analysis
Read competitor brand posts by country, platform, and brand
Competitor Benchmark Research
Connect IR, patents, and job postings to read competitors' moves
Industry Benchmark and Peer Case Research
234+ cases compared — success, failure, and exit
Market Size and Forecast
Sourced market-size figures for internal explanation
Market Share and Price-Band Research
A quantitative base to describe your position in numbers
Industry Structure and Trend Research
An industry overview map and key questions before a new entry
Supply Chain and Distribution Structure Mapping
The industry structure organized into a single diagram for internal explanation
Niche and Specialty Market Research
Comprehensive mapping of small markets that industry reports don't cover
Candidate Country Comparison Research
Compare several to dozens of countries side by side to narrow down entry candidates
Licensing and Permits
List permit risks before entry
Regulation, Certification, and Standards
Organize the gap between local and Japanese standards, revision history, and effective dates
Import/Export, Tariffs, and Customs Clearance
Estimate HS code, tariff rate, and room for FTA use
Policy, Subsidies, Mid-to-Long-Term Strategy, and Roadmap
Summarize the country's mid-to-long-term direction and subsidy programs
Deliverables, duration, and cost
- Deliverable
- Candidate company comparison table (Excel, 30–80 firms) / Priority candidate profiles (PDF) / Exclusion-reason and priority memos / Initial-sales hypothesis / Regulatory map and required-permit list / Customs process map
- Duration
- 8–12 weeks (varies with theme count and candidate count)
- Cost
- Custom quote (varies with theme count, candidate count, depth)
- Languages
- Japanese (delivery); English / Chinese / Thai (local sources)
Who uses this stage
- Mid-sized manufacturers with target country set or tentatively decided
- Companies weighing multiple entry methods (distributor / direct / OEM / M&A)
- Cases where board / executive review materials need defensible reasoning
- Companies requiring primary-source verification (local ministries, customs data)
Shortlist entry modes and candidate partners together
Tell us your country, industry, and decision. We will outline scope, deliverables, approach, and rough quote.