TikTok Accused of Violating EU Regulations Governing Online Content

TikTok's E-Commerce Push: Japan, Here We Come! 🚀

TikTok Accused of Violating EU Regulations Governing Online Content

Get ready, Japan! The TikTok app, known for its entertaining videos and creative trends, is gearing up to shake up Japan's online shopping scene! 🛍️

Here's a peek at the TikTok logo, just in case you needed a reminder of what we're talking about.

A Brief History of TikTok in E-Commerce

Originally owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company, TikTok started considering e-commerce expansion worldwide around 2022. They introduced TikTok Shop, a platform within the app that allows users to buy products directly from live streams and videos. This feature was first rolled out in countries like the UK, followed by an expansion into Europe, such as France, Germany, Italy, in early 2025. Through TikTok Shop, sellers can offer discounts and earn commissions from sales made via livestreams, blending social media and e-commerce quite cleverly.

In the US, TikTok attempted to expand into e-commerce, but faced some regulatory and political obstacles due to concerns about Chinese ownership.

TikTok's Grand Entry into Japan's E-Commerce Market

As of April 2025, TikTok announced its intentions to enter the vibrant Japanese e-commerce market. They're planning to launch TikTok Shop in Japan within a few short months, and are actively recruiting sellers to join the platform. This move is part of TikTok's broader strategy to extend its e-commerce presence beyond the US and Europe.

The Japanese Market: Ready, Set, TikTok Shop!

To prepare for the official launch, Japanese marketing firm Septeni has created comprehensive store opening support services for TikTok Shop. These services help businesses establish TikTok corporate accounts, create engaging content, select products, and set up stores effectively on the platform. Septeni also assists with follower growth, collaborations with creators, hashtag optimization, and customer acquisition strategies, aiming to leverage TikTok Shop's unique social commerce model.

This preparation suggests that TikTok Shop in Japan will provide a seamless, in-app shopping experience, tapping into the growing trend of social commerce, which is predicted to reach a whopping $6 trillion worldwide by 2030!

Wrapping Up

• TikTok began global e-commerce expansion in 2022, launching TikTok Shop worldwide.
• TikTok plans to enter Japan's e-commerce market in a few months with TikTok Shop.
• Japanese businesses are getting ready through support services provided by local partners like Septeni.
• TikTok Shop in Japan aims to blend livestream selling and social media engagement into a new sales channel for businesses.

Brace yourselves, Japan! TikTok is transitioning from a social video platform to a meaningful player in your e-commerce market, leveraging its massive user base and innovative social commerce features! 🎉🛍️🇯🇵

Industry observers anticipate an intriguing intersection of technology, entertainment, and social-media in Japan as TikTok's entry into the nation's e-commerce market draws near. With its innovative social commerce model, TikTok Shop is poised to revolutionize Japan's online shopping scene by merging livestream selling and social media engagement.

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