TikTok Targets Tokyo: E-commerce Expansion Imminent
Chinese social media platform TikTok is set to enter Japan's online shopping market within the next few months, according to a report by the Nikkei newspaper. The company will soon begin recruiting sellers in Japan for its e-commerce arm, "TikTok Shop," Reuters reported.
Through TikTok Shop, users can sell a wide range of products—from clothing and footwear to cosmetics—via livestreams and earn commissions on each sale. TikTok Shop has been rapidly gaining popularity, primarily due to its attractive discount offers.
Currently, TikTok is awaiting an agreement to continue its operations in the United States. Meanwhile, TikTok Shop has already expanded into several European countries, including France, Germany, and Italy.
The future of TikTok in the United States, where it is used by nearly half the population, remains uncertain. A law passed in 2024 mandates TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the American operations of the app.
However, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that "the final decision is still on the negotiating table." Despite these complications, TikTok continues to play an active role in expanding its business operations globally.
