A Tier-1 Geo Crypto Affiliates Are Missing Out On: Japan
In 2023, most Tier-1 locations, especially the big ones, are dense with the crypto crowd. The competition is making traffic unaffordable, and even for mere testing get ready to spend a big buck.
For those who prioritize high payouts, around $1,000 per CPA, while also aiming for a high conversion rate and access to a ton of traffic for scaling, the best solution is to target Asian countries. Japan is one good example of such a country.
Yes, Japan may seem unusual, and unique to most affiliate marketers, and the local mindset might appear a bit strange for a hardcore European. But fear not. Today’s guide will explain how you set up your first campaigns, run tests—and start making profits.
Japan: The Overview
As of 2023, Japan is home to over 126 million people. Despite a small yet steady influx of immigrants and a remarkably high life expectancy (81-86 years on average), the low birth rate is causing the population to slowly but steadily shrink by approximately 200 people per day.
There’s a slight gender imbalance in Japan, too, with over 3 million more women than men.
The currency is the Japanese yen; the official language is Japanese. While there are many regional dialects and variations, classical Japanese is taught in all schools. If you’re going to target the locals, make sure your promotional materials are all using its standard form.
The Japan of today is one of the most technologically advanced countries, with absolutely no issues with access to the Internet. Approximately 95% of the population goes online on a regular basis.
Japan ranks 20th in the world with an average connection speed exceeding 100 Mbps. This means you can use visually excessive landing pages and video materials. But again, optimizing your pages is crucial because the Japanese are highly demanding when it comes to loading speed. Nobody enjoys waiting.
Japan offers relatively high salaries, so most people won’t have any issues meeting the minimum deposit amounts. Here’s a breakdown of average monthly salaries by profession:
- IT: $3,500
- Marketing: $3,000
- Service industry: $2,000 – $2,700
- Retail: $1,900 – $2,500
- Healthcare: $3,300
Despite high incomes, living in Japan can be costly, especially when it comes to housing and education. Renting an apartment will cost you over $1,000 per month, and owning a home is no more than a pure dream. This makes housing and education important factors to consider in your marketing strategies.
In Japan, it’s also important to consider the value of helping others, like family, rather than only focusing on personal likes and wants.
People in Japan love luxury, so affiliate campaigns targeting a luxurious lifestyle work exceptionally well. But again, as in any region with a well-educated population, don’t make unrealistic promises. The income-generating scheme should appear realistic even to those who understand that there are no ‘money buttons’ and no wizards flying on magic carpets and giving away Ferraries to anybody who asks.
When working on your promotions, keep in mind that the Japanese love effective minimalism. Pre-landing and, in particular, landing pages should have a stylish look. We advise you to hire professional translators or native copywriters, as your ‘broken’ Japanese may significantly reduce trust in the promoted product.
Personalization is crucial. It makes sense to create campaigns for specific audience segments, for example, separate ones for factory workers from those made for white-collar jobs.
The biggest cities in Japan include:
- Tokyo
- Yokohama
- Osaka
- Nagoya
- Sapporo
- Kobe
- Fukuoka
- Kyoto
- Kawasaki
- Saitama
It doesn’t make much sense to target only major cities though. There are financially sound people in almost every village.
The best traffic sources include:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- LINE
- Teasers
- Native Ads
Cryptocurrency is well-received in Japan. Bitcoin is recognized as a legitimate way to pay, and earnings from crypto get taxed as ‘miscellaneous income.’ People trust digital currencies for safety and profit.
On your website, show the necessary paperwork to look legit. Also, explain in a straightforward way how and why your income from crypto won’t get taxed. This can be a big advantage.
Japan: The people
In Japan, the stable economy and politics make people trust their government. People highly respect the imperial family and listen to athletes and cultural figures, like singers and actors.
Here is a list of Japanese opinion leaders:
Mako Komuro. Member of the imperial family.
Naomi Osaka. Tennis player.
Naruhito. The Emperor.
Shun’ichi Suzuki. Finance Minister.
Fumio Kishida. Prime Minister.
Nana Komatsu. Actress and model.
Tadashi Yanai. The country’s richest person and president of Fast Retailing company.
Additional information
Popular banks:
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
- Japan Post Bank
- Mizuho Financial Group
- Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group
- Norinchukin Bank
TV channels:
- Fuji Television
- TV Tokyo
- TV Asahi
- Tochigi TV
- Nippon Television
Major online media:
- news.yahoo.co.jp
- livedoor.jp
- auone.jp
- goo.ne.jp
Well-received TV shows:
- Run for the Money;
- Love Village;
- Rea(l)ove;
- Gaki No Tsukai;
- Documental.
Japan is a great place to get top-notch crypto traffic. The country has a well-off population, and competition among crypto affiliates is relatively low. The main challenge is grasping the cultural flair and conversion triggers.