June 18, 2025 – According to a report by Nikkei News on the 17th, TikTok is gearing up to launch its e-commerce operations in Japan as early as the end of this month. The platform’s key selling point will be its “live shopping” feature, which allows users to view products being demonstrated in real-time during live streams and make purchases instantly.
TikTok has already demonstrated strong user engagement in Japan, with users spending an average of 44 minutes daily on the app. On June 2nd, the company revised its privacy policy in the country to pave the way for enhanced purchasing capabilities. Industry observers are now increasingly confident that TikTok will roll out its e-commerce service in Japan within the month.
The upcoming feature, known as TikTok Shop, will enable sellers to showcase their products through live streams. Viewers can place orders while watching and even engage in real-time Q&A sessions with sellers, creating an experience that closely mimics in-store shopping.
Previously, live streams would redirect users to external websites for purchases. However, with the new in-app payment system, users will enjoy a more seamless shopping experience. Additionally, TikTok plans to gradually introduce shopping capabilities through short videos and business profile pages. It’s also understood that the platform will charge merchants a commission fee for transactions made through these channels.
