Japanese Distribution Strategy by Michael R. Czinkota

Distribution in Japan has been a major issue of concern for policymakers, business executives and academics. The distribution system has been the key focus of the negotiations between the United States and Japan in their Structural Impediment Initiative talks. Business executives from abroad have complained for decades that Japan's distribution system is essentially closed and does not permit access to the Japanese market. Japanese business executives themselves, as well as Japanese government officials, have begun to introduce distribution opening measures. Academics have found the distribution system in Japan to be a fruitful field of study. With the increasing desire and need for corporations to enter the Japanese market at the end of the 20th century, insights into the Japanese distribution system are imperative to precipitate business success. This text highlights the complexity of the Japanese distribution system from a variety of Japan, the United States and Europe