The Chinese social media platform TikTok plans to enter Japan’s online shopping sector in the coming months, according to a report published by the Nikkei newspaper on Sunday.
According to the report, TikTok is preparing to recruit sellers for its e-commerce division, TikTok Shop, in Japan. Citing a source familiar with the operations who chose to remain anonymous, Nikkei stated that the company is currently searching for new partners.
TikTok Shop allows users to sell a variety of products — from sneakers to makeup — through live streams, earning commissions from their sales. The platform is particularly known for offering discounted products.
At present, TikTok is seeking to expand its business in other markets while awaiting a deal that would secure its operations in the United States. In March, the company launched TikTok Shop for users in France, Germany, and Italy, thereby expanding its presence into the European market as well.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that a decision regarding TikTok’s future might be delayed, while also suggesting a potential end to the tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the U.S. and China. It should be noted that a law passed in the United States in 2024, with broad bipartisan support, requires TikTok’s China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest the platform’s U.S. assets by January 19, 2025.
