Bring Your Robot to the Japanese Market

ABOUT

What is Robot Support Service?

Robot Support Service(RSS)is a Japan market entry support service for overseas robotics companies planning to commercialize robots in Japan. RSS helps clarify what is required before and after market entry, including certification preparation, customer validation, local operations, and after-sales support.

Robot Support Service(RSS)is a Japan market entry support
                service for overseas robotics companies planning to
                commercialize robots in Japan.

CHALLENGES

Expanding into Japan? We Can Help.

Even if your robot has proven performance overseas, entering the Japanese market requires more than product readiness. Certification, local operations, customer development, and after-sales support must all be prepared for successful commercialization.

Understanding the Japanese Market

It can be difficult to understand customer expectations, business practices, and commercialization requirements in Japan.

Certification & Compliance

Safety standards, certification processes, and local product requirements can create uncertainty before market entry.

Finding Customers & PoC Opportunities

Overseas companies often need local customers, PoC opportunities, and early validation partners before full-scale entry.

Building Local Operations

Maintenance, repair, logistics, deployment, and customer support capabilities are essential for serving customers in Japan.

MARKET ENTRY

Entering Japan Requires More Than a Proven Product

Many robotics companies have successful deployments in other markets. However, entering Japan requires preparation across certification, customer expectations, service quality, logistics, maintenance, and long-term support. RSS helps overseas robot companies identify what must be prepared before market entry and build the foundation needed for commercialization in Japan.

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The RSS market entry process covers Phase 1 PoC and prototyping, Phase 2 functional and mass production development, Phase 3 mass production preparation and initial shipment, and Phase 4 after-sales service, maintenance, termination, and disposal.

READINESS CHECKLIST

What Needs to Be Defined Before Entering Japan?

Before entering Japan, overseas robotics companies need to clarify the gaps between their current readiness and what is required for commercialization and long-term operation in Japan.

Japan Market Fit

Japan Market Fit

Are your target users, use cases, value proposition, and operating environments clearly defined for Japan?

Product Requirements

Product Requirements

Are specifications, UX, documentation, installation conditions, and service requirements aligned with Japanese customers?

Certification Requirements

Certification Requirements

Are the required safety standards, certifications, and compliance steps clear before market launch?

PoC Validation Plan

PoC Validation Plan

Are target customers, success criteria, test environments, and validation methods defined for Japan?

Service & Support Model

Service & Support Model

How will deployment, maintenance, repair, spare parts, and customer support be handled after launch?

Quality Feedback Process

Quality Feedback Process

How will market issues be collected, analyzed, and reflected back into product and service improvement?

SUPPORT

End-to-End Support for Japan Market Entry

RSS supports the key areas needed to commercialize robots in Japan. We combine the right functions based on your product, business stage, and target market.

End-to-End Support for Japan Market Entry End-to-End Support for Japan Market Entry

Market Readiness Assessment

Assess your current readiness and identify key gaps for entering Japan.

Certification & Safety Support

Support safety reviews, certification planning, and market requirements.

Business Development Support

Support customer development, PoC planning, and early market validation.

Local Operations & After-Sales Support

Build the foundation for logistics, deployment, maintenance, repair, and support.

WHY SOFTBANK ROBOTICS

A Local Partner for Robotics Commercialization in Japan

SoftBank Robotics has experience in bringing service robots into real-world environments. RSS combines commercialization knowledge, local market understanding, and operational capabilities to help overseas companies move forward in Japan.

Point 01

Commercialization Experience

We understand what it takes to move robots from product readiness to real-world operation.

Commercialization Experience
Japan Market Expertise

Point 02

Japan Market Expertise

We help overseas companies navigate customer expectations, certification needs, service quality, and commercialization processes in Japan.

Point 03

Industry Network

We work with partners and stakeholders across certification, logistics, field service, and the Japanese robotics ecosystem.

Industry Network

ARRK Corporation

Supports product planning, development, and small- to medium-scale production

TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD

Supports inspection and certification for compliance with safety standards

Industry Network

LOCAL OPERATIONS

Build Local Operations Without Starting from Zero

Entering Japan requires more than selling a product. Overseas robot companies also need inspection, kitting, logistics, deployment, repair, customer support, and maintenance capabilities in Japan. RSS helps build the local operational foundation needed to support customers after market entry.

Inspection / OQC / Kitting

Inspection / OQC / Kitting

Support incoming inspection, outgoing quality control, software updates, and preparation before shipment in Japan.

Warehousing / Logistics / Deployment

Warehousing / Logistics / Deployment

Support domestic warehousing, shipping, on-site mapping, and deployment for customer environments.

Call Center / Repair

Call Center / Repair

Support inquiry handling, repair operations, refurbishment, and after-sales service setup.

Market Issue Analysis / Evaluation Testing

Market Issue Analysis / Evaluation Testing

Support root cause analysis of market issues, reliability testing, and use case validation before and after launch.

On-Site Support / Maintenance

On-Site Support / Maintenance

Support field service planning and maintenance operations based on the customer environment and usage conditions.

USE CASES

Support Experience Across Robotics Categories

RSS has supported various robotics categories across different business stages, from development and validation to certification, deployment, and after-sales operations.

Overseas Companies

Liberaware

Indoor Drone

Indoor Drone

Supported certification planning from the product planning stage by organizing country-specific requirements, standards, tests, and timelines, helping prevent certification-related delays and maintain the original development schedule.

Supported Areas

Certification

Keenon

Delivery Robot

Delivery Robot

Conducted factory audits and software quality testing to support quality improvement across products.

Supported Areas

Mass Production
Certification
Validation
Product Inspection
Kitting
Logistics
Deployment
Customer Support
Repair
Quality Management

TUSK

Autonomous Forklift

Autonomous Forklift

Conducted certification research and risk assessments, and provided feedback on improvement points to support a safer product release.

Supported Areas

Mass Production
Certification
Validation

Japan-Based Companies

TELEXISTENCE

Drink Replenishment robot

Drink Replenishment robot

Supported development management and the planning and execution of reliability testing from the development stage. After launch, supported market expansion by handling installation and repair operations.

Supported Areas

Design
Development
Mass Production
Certification
Validation
Product Inspection
Deployment

GAUSIUM

Cleaning Robot

Cleaning Robot

Conducted factory audits and software quality testing to support quality improvement across products. Also provided after-sales services for distributors other than SoftBank Robotics.

Supported Areas

Mass Production
Certification
Validation
Product Inspection
Kitting
Logistics
Deployment
Customer Support
Repair
Quality Management

Pyrenee

Driver Assistance Device

Driver Assistance Device

Provided regular advisory support for mass production development, including solution proposals and project direction for development issues. RSS continues to support Go-to-Market activities.

Supported Areas

Design
Development
Mass Production
Certification

FLOW

How We Help You Prepare for the Japanese Market

Every product and business stage is different. We start by understanding your current situation, then define the support scope needed for market entry and commercialization in Japan.

1.Consultation

1. Consultation

Share your product, target customers, business stage, and current challenges.

2.Market Readiness Review

2. Market Readiness Review

We review product readiness, certification needs, local operations, and customer development priorities.

3.Entry Strategy Planning

3. Entry Strategy Planning

We define the support scope, key actions, timeline, and next steps for Japan market entry.

4.PoC & Customer Development

4. PoC & Customer Development

We support PoC planning, customer engagement, and early market validation activities.

Local Operations Setup

5. Local Operations Setup

We help build the support foundation for deployment, maintenance, repair, logistics, and customer support.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions from overseas robotics companies considering Japan market entry.

Q. How does Robot Support Service (RSS) support overseas robot manufacturers entering the Japanese market?

A. Entering Japan requires coordination across localization, regulatory compliance, deployment, and after-sales operations. Robot Support Service (RSS) supports overseas robot manufacturers throughout the commercialization process, from Go-to-Market planning and market entry to deployment and long-term operations in Japan.

Q. What does successful robot commercialization in Japan require?

A. Successful commercialization requires more than product readiness. Market fit, localization, regulatory compliance, local partnerships, and post-launch operations should be planned as part of a single Go-to-Market strategy. RSS helps manufacturers align these elements to reduce risk and build a sustainable robot business in Japan.

Q. Can overseas manufacturers enter Japan without establishing a local subsidiary?

A. Establishing a local subsidiary is not always necessary at the initial stage of market entry. Many overseas manufacturers start by validating market potential and building local partnerships. RSS supports the development of a market entry model tailored to each company’s strategy and investment plan.

Q. Why is localization essential for the Japanese robot market?

A. Localization goes beyond translation and is essential for successful commercialization in Japan. RSS supports a smooth market launch and ongoing operations by optimizing UI/UX, user flows, documentation, and products for the Japanese market.

Q. What certifications and regulations are required to commercialize robots in Japan?

A. Successful commercialization in Japan requires early planning for safety standards, regulations, and cybersecurity requirements, including JC-STAR. RSS integrates these requirements into the Go-to-Market strategy, helping reduce risks and ensure a smooth market launch.

Q. How can overseas robot manufacturers plan effective PoC projects in Japan?

A. A successful PoC should validate not only technical performance but also operational feasibility and market fit. RSS helps identify suitable PoC opportunities in Japan, coordinate with local partners, and develop validation plans with commercialization in mind.

Q. How can we successfully transition from PoC to mass production?

A. Moving from PoC to mass production requires planning beyond technical validation, including production readiness, business viability, and operations. RSS provides end-to-end support from PoC through mass production and market launch, helping reduce commercialization risks in Japan.

Q. How can service robots be deployed efficiently across Japan?

A. Scaling service robots across Japan requires more than sales. It also requires the right logistics, deployment, maintenance, and support infrastructure. RSS helps build the Go-to-Market strategy and operational structure needed for nationwide deployment and sustainable growth in Japan.

Q. Why is after-sales support critical for success in Japan?

A. In Japan, reliable operation and timely support after deployment are key to customer satisfaction and long-term use. RSS helps build an after-sales service structure covering maintenance, repair, and customer support to support sustainable business growth.

Q. How can nationwide field service operations be managed in Japan?

A. Nationwide field service requires a reliable maintenance and repair network with fast local response. RSS leverages its nationwide service network to help build a field service structure that supports maintenance and repairs across Japan.

Q. How can Customer Success improve robot adoption in Japan?

A. Customer Success plays a key role in driving adoption, resolving operational challenges, and expanding robot use after deployment. RSS supports customer success operations through usage monitoring, customer engagement, and continuous improvement to drive long-term adoption and business growth.

Q. Can we outsource only selected phases of our Go-to-Market project?

A. Go-to-Market support can be tailored to specific business needs without outsourcing the entire process. RSS supports selected phases such as localization, certification, PoC, mass production, logistics, and after-sales service based on each customer’s business stage and priorities.

Q. How long does it typically take to commercialize a robot in Japan?

A. The time required to commercialize a robot in Japan depends on product readiness, regulatory requirements, and market conditions. When key requirements are already in place, we have supported market launches in as little as two to three months. RSS provides end-to-end support, from Go-to-Market planning through market launch.

Q. Why do overseas robot manufacturers choose RSS as their partner?

A. RSS combines end-to-end commercialization support with extensive real-world experience gained from deploying, operating, and maintaining service robots. We support overseas manufacturers from market entry through long-term operations, applying practical insights to product development, quality improvement, and service design.

CONTACT

Ready to Bring Your Robot to Japan?

Whether you are exploring Japan for the first time or preparing for commercialization,
RSS can help you clarify the next steps and build the support foundation needed for market entry.

SBRJ-RSS@softbankrobotics.com

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