YOUR BRIDGE FROM JAPAN TO EUROPE
Enabling Japanese companies to expand into Europe with sustainable international success.
JAPAN’S DOMESTIC MARKET HAS BEEN CONSTRAINED FOR OVER TEN YEARS.
EXPORT HAS NOW BECOME A STRATEGIC
NECESSITY FOR FORWARD-THINKING BRANDS.
THE OPPORTUNITY IN EUROPE
Europe’s 450 million consumers are increasingly seeking quality, authenticity, and sustainability according to trend reports.
Yet fewer than 5% of premium Japanese products reach the European market, creating a clear opportunity for early entry and long-term brand growth.
Mitasu supports Japanese businesses in unlocking this potential, combining strategic insight with operational execution to successfully launch and scale in Europe.
If you’d like to discuss whether Europe could be part of your brand’s future, we invite you to get in touch.
FORGET THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE PAST.
THERE’S NOW A BETTER WAY TO EUROPEAN EXPANSION FOR JAPANESE BRANDS.
With Mitasu, fragmented service landscapes, cultural gaps, brand misalignments and complex risks are no more.
MITASU’S EXPERTISE
The Mitasu founders lead a team operating across Tokyo, London, and Zurich, combining deep European market knowledge with Japanese cultural fluency and end-to-end strategic, creative, and operational expertise.
Together, they bring decades of experience launching and scaling premium brands across Japan and Europe, with a proven track record in market entry, retail and distribution, brand communications, trade marketing, supply chain optimisation, and cross-cultural communications.
It is with this deep cultural understanding and expertise, that we guide Japanese companies from initial exploration through to sustainable, long-term growth in Europe.
HOW WE HELP
Mitasu act as the bridge for Japanese companies to export and succeed in Europe, by providing end-to-end support and removing the operational burden and complexity.
End-to-end support: One partner covering everything from
initial testing to in-market executionCultural compatibility: Our Swiss business approach aligns with Japan’s careful processes and focus on enduring partnerships
Shared values and trusted approach: Operating as your neutral executional partner with aligned vision and appreciation of quality
Brand alignment: Expertise in brand adaptation to ensure storytelling, packaging and compliance work in Europe
Reduced complexity and risk: Single accountable team, no hand-offs,
resulting in a faster and safer time-to-market
OUR NETWORK
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SWITZERLAND
Strategy hub: brand strategy development, operations, client liaison
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UK
Creative hub: brand strategy, identity, design, communications
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JAPAN
Local hub: an expert point of contact, based in Tokyo
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LOCAL PARTNERS
Relationship management, legal, tax, IP, logistics, translation
MARKET BRIDGE SERVICES
Our end-to-end capabilities allow us to act as a single, expert, trusted partner; managing every step of your European expansion, from initial market exploration through to strategy localisation, operations, and logistics.
Depending on where you are in your growth journey, you may not need every service. Our modular approach ensures support is tailored to your specific stage and objectives, enabling you to maximise both your investment and your company’s potential.
The result is controlled, sustainable expansion.
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Validating European demand before making any commitment
To help you assess the suitability of European expansion, a fully bespoke Product Pilot can be conducted in a single market and channel. We provide full support, from set-up to execution, offering a low-stress way to identify potential risks, gain practical insights and inform confident next steps.
Output: Validated learning and a confident recommendation to scale to Europe or to pause. -
Making a clear go/no-go decision to enter new markets in Europe.
A structured analysis of market opportunity, commercial assessment and organisational readiness. We determine whether your organisation is structurally and economically ready to enter European markets.Output: Market Readiness Report with go, no-go or not yet recommendation, with priority markets identified and the actions required to proceed.
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Defining how to launch in Europe.
This product designs a clear and focussed market entry strategy for Europe. Using validated insight on European consumer trends, shopper behaviours and retail channels we:Translate your brand into a proposition that feels relevant for the European market, while preserving what makes it Japanese.
Define where to win first, how to price, and how to launch.
Output: A full and detailed go-to-market architecture and 90-180 day launch plan
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Enabling export partnerships and relationships
European expansion often fails at the operational stage. Key to successful and sustainable entry to Europe is choosing the right distributors, partners or retail partners. We identify and qualify partners, prepare your introduction materials, then support outreach and meetings.
The objective is disciplined operational setup; obstacle free, coordinated and commercially sound. -
Building an enduring European presence.
Mitasu provide ongoing support for your brand in Europe, from launch to growth:Brand development: brand and communication strategy, branding and packaging, consumer communications and campaigns, trade and business to business communications and sell-in presentations
Partner and relationship management: early traction requires sustained management, relationship cultivation, performance oversight and strategic refinement. We act as your neutral European partner, representing your interests with discretion and accountability.
MITASU INSIGHTS
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![Shopping in Europe with Migros grocery store]()
COULD EUROPE BE IN YOUR BRAND'S FUTURE?
With demand for premium Japanese products at an all-time high in Europe, we explore what this means for ambitious Japanese brands.
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![A collection bank notes including the Japanese Yen]()
CAN A WEAK YEN BE A GOOD THING FOR EXPORT?
With the weak Yen making exports up to 20% cheaper in Europe, we explore how this helps Japanese brands win new customers without cutting domestic prices.
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![Japanese and European officials standing at podiums with flags of Japan, the European Union, representing favourable import tariffs]()
NAVIGATING EU - JAPAN IMPORT TARIFFS
With EU-Japan tariffs eliminated on almost all goods, could lower costs and reduced friction benefit you?
CONTACT US
If you would like to know more about how we could help your business, please get in touch.