Ministry of SMEs and Startups Targets Japanese Online Market with CJ ENM through 'Brand K'

Image related to KCON.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] The domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) joint brand 'Brand K' and the Korean Wave cultural event 'KCON' are joining forces to focus on the Japanese online shopping market.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 18th that it will hold promotional events and consultation meetings to help Brand K products enter the Japanese online shopping market in connection with 'KCON:TACT,' organized by CJ ENM. KCON:TACT is the new name for KCON, which switched to a non-face-to-face online format due to COVID-19 since last year. Following events in June and October last year, the third performance will be held from the 20th of this month.

Brand K is a project that supports market development for excellent products from SMEs struggling with low recognition in overseas markets through various linked supports. It also grants the right to use Brand K, the national representative joint brand for SME products. According to the Ministry, a total of 133 products have been selected up to last year.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to promote ▲ live commerce using K-pop singers and influencers ▲ support for sales on local online shopping malls through promotional marketing ▲ video export consultation meetings inviting Japanese importers, in connection with the upcoming KCON:TACT 3. They plan to select and support 30 excellent Brand K products from various fields such as quarantine, beauty, and food.

The Ministry will conduct live commerce for Brand K products featuring K-pop singers and influencers. Additionally, dedicated sections will be opened on major local online shopping malls Rakuten and Qoo10, with promotional campaigns utilizing top search exposure and email advertising. Among participating companies, the one with the highest sales during the event will also receive domestic promotion support through sponsorship exposure on CJ ENM's entertainment programs.

A non-face-to-face export consultation meeting will also be held. A 1:1 customized video consultation between Japanese importers and participating companies will take place at the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) International Distribution Center. The Ministry will produce and provide company and product introduction videos in advance for use during consultations.

Meanwhile, Japan has traditionally shown high interest in Korean culture. Recently, the Ministry explained that the fourth Korean Wave boom, fueled by the popularity of Korean Wave content such as Parasite and Crash Landing on You, has targeted the Japanese online shopping market as its background.

Kang Gisung, Director of the Global Growth Policy Division at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "With the global spread of Korean Wave content and the technological prowess of Korean products, our country's brand value is currently at an all-time high," adding, "We will actively support SME products to enter the Japanese market, where purchasing power is high and the Korean Wave boom is re-expanding."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.