https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/Guides to having products made in Japanen https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/eudr-paper-wood-products-japan-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/eudr-paper-wood-products-japan-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe EUDR applies from 30 December 2026. Which Japanese paper and wood products are in scope, who files the due diligence statement, and what to ask the maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/eu-packaging-regulation-ppwr-2026-private-label/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/eu-packaging-regulation-ppwr-2026-private-label/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe EU Packaging Regulation has applied since 12 August 2026. Which duties start now, which come in 2028–2030, and what a brand importing from Japan must do. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-minimum-wage-costs-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-minimum-wage-costs-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapan's minimum wage averages ¥1,177 from autumn 2026 and producer prices rose 6.8% in a year. What it means for quotes, price revisions and reorders. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-maker-succession-closures-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-maker-succession-closures-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT67,949 Japanese firms closed in 2025 and half lack a successor. What it means if you rely on a small maker: specs, moulds, artwork and backups. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-trade-fairs-calendar-2027/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-trade-fairs-calendar-2027/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTConfirmed dates for Japanese trade fairs worth visiting or following until spring 2027: Tokyo Gift Show, Kyoto, Lifestyle Week, Interior Lifestyle, Ambiente. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/plan-japan-orders-spring-summer-2027/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/plan-japan-orders-spring-summer-2027/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe 2026–27 dates that matter when ordering from Japanese makers: the New Year break, Golden Week, Obon, Lunar New Year, and how to work back from your launch. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/sending-samples-from-japan-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/sending-samples-from-japan-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapan Post changed a lot in 2026: no registered small packets, new Air Packet, US pre-registration, Middle East delays, and higher EMS rates from February 2027. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/eu-3-euro-customs-duty-samples-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/eu-3-euro-customs-duty-samples-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTSince 1 July 2026 the EU charges €3 per item line on parcels up to €150 sold to consumers. What it means for samples and small lots, and how to declare them. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/weak-yen-ordering-from-japan-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/weak-yen-ordering-from-japan-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe yen was around ¥158 to the dollar in October 2026. How quotes in yen, the timing of your payment and makers' rising costs decide what your order costs. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/us-import-duties-japan-made-goods-2026/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/us-import-duties-japan-made-goods-2026/Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTIEEPA tariffs gone, a Section 301 duty on Japan since 24 July 2026: how to work out the US duty on Japan-made towels, knives, ceramics and paper goods. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-furoshiki-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-furoshiki-japan/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTFuroshiki are square Japanese wrapping cloths that replace gift paper and bags. Fabrics, sizes and printing methods for a furoshiki with your own design. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-paper-boxes-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-paper-boxes-japan/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapanese paper box makers produce rigid gift boxes, folding cartons and paper-wrapped boxes in small runs. Types, finishes and what drives the minimum. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/imabari-vs-senshu-towels/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/imabari-vs-senshu-towels/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapan's two main towel regions make towels differently. How Imabari and Senshu towels compare, what each suits, and what to ask a maker before ordering. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-manufacturing-calendar-holidays/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-manufacturing-calendar-holidays/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhen Japanese workshops close and slow down: New Year, Golden Week, Obon and the busy gift seasons. How to plan orders, samples and shipping around them. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-knife-handles-wa-vs-western/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-knife-handles-wa-vs-western/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapanese wa handles and Western yo handles differ in weight, balance, materials and how they are fitted. What each means for your customers and your brand. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-glassware-oem/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-glassware-oem/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTEdo Kiriko cut glass, hand-blown and machine-made glassware from Japan. What can carry your logo or design, how custom glass works, and what to ask a maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-vs-china-manufacturing-small-brands/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-vs-china-manufacturing-small-brands/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhen making in Japan is worth it for a small brand, and when it is not. Price, minimums, communication, quality, story and lead times, compared honestly. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/mino-arita-hasami-compared/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/mino-arita-hasami-compared/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTThree of Japan's best-known tableware regions compared: what each is known for, how they differ in look and price range, and which suits a first order. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-pencils-pens-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-pencils-pens-japan/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapanese pencils and pens with your name or logo: how imprinting on writing instruments works, which method suits which barrel, and what to send. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/oem-cost-breakdown-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/oem-cost-breakdown-japan/Sat, 17 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTA Japanese OEM quote has more lines than the unit price. Setup, samples, packaging, inspection, freight, duty and fees: what each covers and who sets it. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/quality-inspection-before-export-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/quality-inspection-before-export-japan/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhat to compare against, what to measure and count, how to record findings and what to agree beforehand when inspecting goods before export from Japan. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-tenugui-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-tenugui-japan/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow custom tenugui are made in Japan, the difference between printed and hand-dyed chusen cloths, and what to ask the maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-washi-tape-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-washi-tape-japan/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow custom washi tape is made, which decisions change the price and minimum (width, length, print colours, core and packaging), and what to send a Japanese maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-traditional-crafts-designation/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-traditional-crafts-designation/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapan designates traditional crafts by law: 244 as of October 2025. What designation and the craft mark mean, and how to describe products honestly. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-knife-steel-guide/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-knife-steel-guide/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTThe steel names you will see on Japanese kitchen knives, what they mean for sharpness, rust and care, and how to describe them accurately in your own product listings. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/paying-japanese-makers/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/paying-japanese-makers/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow payment usually works with Japanese makers: paying before production, bank transfers in yen, who pays the bank charges, and what to keep. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-planners-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-planners-japan/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTA dated planner is printed months before its year begins. What to decide for a planner under your brand, and when to order from a Japanese maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/protecting-your-design-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/protecting-your-design-japan/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTProtecting your brand and designs when a Japanese maker produces for you: trademarks, written agreements, tooling ownership and what to share when. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/shipping-small-lots-from-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/shipping-small-lots-from-japan/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow small and medium orders leave Japan: Japan Post EMS and parcels, express couriers and freight. Weight limits, restricted goods, customs papers, and how to choose. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-trade-fairs-sourcing/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japan-trade-fairs-sourcing/Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow to source at the Tokyo International Gift Show: preparing, talking to makers at the stand, and following up in Japanese afterwards. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-notebooks-paper-goods-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/custom-notebooks-paper-goods-japan/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhat Japanese printers and binderies can make for your brand: notebooks, washi goods, cards and boxes, and what sets the minimum. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-kitchen-knives-private-label/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-kitchen-knives-private-label/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapan's knife towns, how a logo goes on a blade, what can be changed for your brand, and the shipping and selling rules to check first. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/find-oem-manufacturer-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/find-oem-manufacturer-japan/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhere Japanese makers who take outside orders are, what to send them, and how to get written quotes you can compare. A practical guide from Tokyo. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-ceramics-tableware-oem/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/japanese-ceramics-tableware-oem/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTJapan's main tableware regions, what they make, how a logo or a custom glaze works on ceramics, and the food-contact paperwork to ask a Japanese maker for. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/minimum-order-quantity-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/minimum-order-quantity-japan/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhy two Japanese makers in the same trade can quote very different minimum lots, what actually drives the number, and practical ways to start smaller. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/name-imprinting-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/name-imprinting-japan/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTNaire adds your name or logo to a Japanese maker's existing product. Which method suits which material, what to send, and why it is the easiest start. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/oem-odm-private-label-differences/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/oem-odm-private-label-differences/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTFour ways to put your brand on a product made in Japan, from a logo on a stock item to a product built to your drawing, and what each one costs you. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/imabari-towels-private-label/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/imabari-towels-private-label/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTImabari makes over half of Japan's towels. How private label and logo towels from Imabari work, the five-second rule, and what to ask a maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/samples-setup-costs-lead-times-japan/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/samples-setup-costs-lead-times-japan/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTWhat you pay for before the first finished piece: samples, plates, dies and moulds. How the timeline runs from brief to export, and where delays usually come from. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/made-in-japan-label-rules/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/made-in-japan-label-rules/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTOrigin follows the last substantial transformation, not where a label was sewn on. The basic rules in the US, the EU and Japan, and what to ask a maker. https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/working-with-japanese-makers/https://www.jepratokyo.com/blog/working-with-japanese-makers/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTHow small Japanese makers prefer to be contacted, why the first message matters, how a first order is usually paid, and habits that help.