Market ResearchAccelerate your Japan strategy with CQ Business®

Market Research

With “human eyes” in 60 countries,
make your Japan strategy a sure thing.

AtGlobal’s 200+ in-country staff across 60 countries directly research the target market’s trends, regulations, and consumer psychology. From private companies to government agencies, we support your entry into Japan (and beyond).

The Risks Hidden in AI-Only Research

AI-powered market research has spread in recent years, but decisions about entering a market involve factors that AI alone cannot address.

“Should sell”
but doesn’t

AI demand forecasts tend to overestimate real purchase intent many times over. Trust those numbers and launch, and a mountain of unsold inventory awaits.

Can’t read
the local “vibe”

Today’s AI models rely on English-centric data. The diverse cultural backgrounds and values of Asia aren’t fully reflected, risking a disconnect from how things actually feel on the ground.

Can’t spot
“fake laws”

AI can plausibly fabricate regulations. Take them at face value and you head straight into compliance violations and fines.

These risks don’t arise because AI is a “bad tool”

they arise because the expertise of people who know the market is missing.

AtGlobal’s Research Strengths

01

Verify the numbers — grasp “real demand” through on-the-ground research in 60 countries.

Our 200+ in-country staff directly access actual stores, consumers, and distribution channels, delivering as primary information the very thing internet data can’t show: whether it will actually sell.

02

Read the local “vibe” — capture true local sentiment with CQ (cultural intelligence).

Experts fluent in the target market’s language and business customs accurately interpret consumers’ real feelings and how a brand is received, in local context. For meetings, interpreters who understand relationship-building accompany your business.

03

Protect accuracy — bring legal risk close to zero with internationally certified controls.

Human experts directly scrutinize local laws and certification requirements. Under rigorous controls based on ISO 27001 and the Privacy Mark, we eliminate the risk of confidential-information leaks, so you can entrust your research with confidence.

Research Track Record

AtGlobal has a diverse research track record across many industries—from market research and channel development to local surveys and interviews. Not limited to one country, we combine the best methods for global needs spanning the U.S., East Asia, the Middle East, and more.

By client industry

Mainly manufacturing and consumer goods, plus diverse B2B fields like real estate and healthcare.

Major Cases by Industry

Manufacturing / Consumer goods / Food

Research on power-semiconductor polishing machines, daily goods, food-testing kits, food & beverage, etc.

Real estate & construction

East Asian real-estate market research, overseas scaffolding research, new-development approach support.

Medical devices & healthcare

Global competitor-product research for a major medical-device maker.

Crafts & manufacturing / Cosmetics & beauty

Spot company research in the UK, overseas channel development, cosmetics-ODM research.

By research category

Market entry and channel development make up about half; product/company research and surveys also flexibly handled.

Major Cases by Category

General market research

Market-entry research, multi-region channel-development research, franchise-potential research.

Product & company research

High-tech research in the U.S. and China, spot company research, counterfeit research.

Surveys & interviews

Multilingual native-speaker surveys, local FGIs, direct phone interviews on B2B products.

University tie-ups & agreement support

Support for agreements between municipalities and overseas universities, local coordination.

By target region

Mainly East Asia and the U.S., with many Europe/Middle East and multi-country global projects.

Major Cases by Region

East / Southeast Asia

Taiwan (event management, focus group interviews (FGIs)), China (quantitative), market expansion & agreement support in Thailand and Indonesia.

U.S.

U.S. market research for a Japanese-food franchise, power-semiconductor polishing-machine research for a major maker.

Multi-country (global)

Channel-development research spanning ASEAN, North America, and the EU; native-speaker surveys for multinational audiences.

Europe & Middle East

Spot company research in the UK, surveys and market research in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

By method

Desk research as the base, plus on-site research and surveys as needed.

Major Cases by Method

Desk research

Quick-turnaround company research, broad market-trend and certification-requirement research.

Field research

Global technology research for a major maker, on-site verification for subsidy applications.

Surveys & interviews

Native-check surveys, phone surveys of overseas users, large-scale quantitative studies.

Group interviews & other

On-site group interviews in Taiwan, event management/coordination using local staff.

Tell us your research needs first.

We’ll propose the best research plan for your target market, industry, and objectives.

Contact Us

Countries & Regions We Cover

海外現地リサーチの対象国マップ

Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Laos

USA, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Colombia, Bolivia

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and more

EU members such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Czechia, Poland, Hungary; plus Russia, Switzerland, the UK, Portugal, Norway, Finland, and more (some Eastern European countries also available—please ask).

Australia

Why Local Experts Ensure Accuracy

What a market-entry decision needs isn’t the volume of data. Whether the information is accurate, and whether it fits the local context, decides success or failure.

Here is how AtGlobal’s research differs from AI-only research.

AtGlobal AI-only
Cultural & linguistic adaptability 200+ in-country staff across 60 countries reflect the latest culture and business customs in real time. Biased toward Western-centric data, with a high risk of misreading local euphemisms and taboos.
Reliability of demand forecasts Backed by primary data from real fieldwork. Tends to overestimate purchase intent; accuracy degrades further as segments are subdivided.
Accuracy of regulatory research Experts directly scrutinize local law. Risk of generating fictitious laws and inaccurate requirements through hallucination.
Quality of insight Reads the “unspoken context” and delivers insight that maps directly to management decisions. Stops at a surface-level “summary,” never reaching strategic insight.
Information security Full protection via ISO 27001 and the Privacy Mark. Data-leak risk from entering confidential information into prompts.

Strategic judgment, cultural interpretation, regulatory verification—none can be done accurately without experts who know the market.

Because it’s primary information gathered locally—not secondhand internet data—it can be trusted as the basis for management decisions.

We’ll propose the best research plan for your target market and product.

The first consultation is free.

Book a free consultation
ISO 27001 certified 60 countries 200+ in-country staff

Service Packages

We’ll propose the best research plan for your objectives, budget, and required depth.

PACKAGE A
Simple Spot Research
Timeline: 2–3 weeks
Confirms the existence of 1–2 specific items (e.g., whether a regulation exists, identifying the competent authority). Desk research mainly from public sources.
For those who “just want to know if a regulation exists”
or “want a first overview.”
PACKAGE B
Standard Research (Single Theme)
Timeline: 1–1.5 months
Either legal or market research. One country, 1–3 items. Public sources plus local inquiries as needed.
For those who “want detail on a specific regulation”
or “want a one-country market overview.”
PACKAGE D
Research with Expert Verification
Timeline: 2+ months
Detailed research including formal verification with local lawyers and certification bodies. Involves paid consultation with local experts.
For those who “need a legal opinion for an investment decision”
or “want to confirm the authority’s official interpretation.”
Custom Comprehensive Research (fully bespoke)
Large-scale projects involving multiple countries × multiple items, competitor analysis, local interviews, committee operation, etc.
Designed from scratch to your requirements.
By individual quote (timeline: to be discussed)
Start with requirements definition →

Detailed Package Comparison

← Scroll horizontally →
Items / PACKAGE PACKAGE A Simple Spot PACKAGE B Standard (Single) PACKAGE C Standard (Combined) ★ Popular PACKAGE D Expert Verification Custom Comprehensive
Methods / sources
Public-source desk researchweb, official gazette, statistics
General inquiries to local contactsanonymous phone/email as needed
Paid expert consultation & opinionslocal lawyers/experts depends
Scope
Number of countries 1 1 1–2 1 (in principle) multiple
Number of items 1–2e.g., licensing 1–3 multiple (comprehensive) deep dive on a specific issue unlimited
Theme area legal or market legal or market legal + market mainly legal/regulatory composite
Output / terms
Delivery format Word/Excelsummary PPT/Worddetailed PPT/Worddetailed with implications Detailed report+ expert opinion Your specifiedformat
Target timeline 2–3 wks 1–1.5 mo 1.5–2.5 mo 2+ mo TBD
Estimated cost By quote By quote By quote By quote By quote

*The above are guidelines and vary by target country and number of items. Please contact us for details.

Important: positioning and legal nature of the service (all packages).

Our research is intended to provide and analyze information to support decision-making.
■ Relation to legal advice
Deliverables are information, not “legal advice” by an attorney; please confirm final legal judgments with a professional as needed.
■ Positioning of expert verification (Package D etc.)
Confirming a local lawyer’s view aims to raise the accuracy and reliability of the research.
■Final decisions
Final legal interpretation and business decisions rest with the client.

Research Methods

Research to protect intellectual property (patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights) and maintain competitiveness. We obtain competitor products and related materials from markets worldwide and, with partner patent attorneys, support IP strategy and legal response.

Investigate market size, competitor activity, and local user needs in a specific country, such as Japan, to build an effective sales strategy. Quantitative surveys are the main method, but interview and on-site research are also used. Essential for business-strategy development.

Mainly survey-based: grasp overall trends and quantitatively test hypotheses. Using web, mail, and phone surveys, we design the right study for your needs—enabling data-driven decisions and effective strategy.

Gather information via literature, internet, interviews, and visits to understand the subject in depth. Hearing respondents freely can surface insights you hadn’t noticed.

Beyond quantitative and qualitative, we can customize the methodology to your specific research needs and objectives.

Thoroughly research and report the laws required to launch products and services in a market such as Japan. Using our ~60-country researcher network, we clarify country-specific requirements like medical-device approval standards and sales-license conditions, minimizing legal risk and supporting evidence-based decisions.

Process

STEP

Initial Consultation

We discuss objectives and detailed requirements by web meeting or phone; if confidential information is involved, we sign an NDA.

STEP

Order

Formal order by email or purchase order, with required documents signed.

STEP

Research Planning

We prepare the research plan, work instructions, and report format, and appoint a project manager.

STEP

Plan Approval & Start

We explain the plan and, after your approval, begin the formal work.

STEP

Fieldwork

Specialist researchers in each country conduct the study while the project manager manages progress.

STEP

Quality Check

In-house double-checking to raise quality.

STEP

Delivery

We deliver the research report (interim delivery also possible).

STEP

Aftercare

We respond to additional requests.

FAQ

In which countries/regions can AtGlobal conduct research?

We have 200+ researchers across ~60 countries and can work in Europe, Africa & the Middle East, Asia (including Vietnam), and North & South America.

Can you conduct research within Japan?

Yes. We also conduct domestic research, mainly on government projects.

What exactly is Legal Research?

A service that thoroughly researches and reports the laws you must comply with when launching products/services in a market. It clarifies country-specific requirements like medical-device approval standards and sales-license conditions.

Quantitative vs. qualitative research?

Quantitative uses mainly surveys to grasp overall trends and test hypotheses numerically. Qualitative uses literature, internet, interviews, and visits to understand the subject in depth.

What is Customized Research?

A service that tailors the methodology to your needs and goals, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches as best fits.

What should be considered for market research?

Choosing the right method, identifying the right respondents, localizing the questionnaire, strong communication and research skills, and appropriate scheduling all matter.

What characterizes AtGlobal’s research?

We offer a global research network spanning over 60 countries, comprehensive multilingual support, highly tailored approaches, and a strong track record of working with government agencies and municipalities across diverse sectors.

How are research fees determined?

We quote based on the number of target regions, the subject field, the difficulty of obtaining quantitative/qualitative information, and the specialization of the data.

How long does research take?

It varies by scale and content, generally a few weeks to a few months. We set a detailed schedule per project.

Do you take government/municipal projects?

Yes; we have a track record with MAFF, METI, MHLW, the Cabinet Office, and many other agencies and municipalities.

How are results delivered?

As a comprehensive report in electronic form; interim reports and additional research are available as needed.

How is this different from AI-tool market research?

AI excels at fast processing of large data but is limited in interpreting cultural nuance and accurately verifying regulations. We use AI’s data processing while in-country Japanese researchers obtain primary information and perform expert verification.

Can you handle highly confidential projects?

Yes. We hold ISO 27001 (ISMS) and the Privacy Mark and sign NDAs. Companies concerned about data leaks from entering information into AI tools can use us with confidence.

Do you handle heavily regulated industries (medical devices, finance, etc.)?

Yes. High-stakes industries, where regulatory frameworks differ fundamentally by country, are exactly where precise human-expert research is essential. We directly verify local certification requirements and real-world operation, providing accurate legal research free of AI hallucination risk.

Contact
Feel free to contact us.