After taking the Indian market by storm, Xiaomi now plans to make its presence felt in Japan. According to the latest report on Nikkei Asian Review, the confirmation came directly from Wang Xiang, Head of International Operations at Xiaomi. The Chinese tech giants plan to introduce its extensive range of smartphones and wearable devices by 2020. Although a deadline has not been announced yet, Wang maintains, “We should be able to establish our presence in Japan by 2020. The sooner the better”.
The list of products that Xiaomi plans to introduce is currently under wraps. According to Wang, the company plans to offer devices that the Japanese audience will enjoy. He claims Xiaomi is looking for local telecom companies to partner with, without taking names. Like the US, telecom companies are the largest smartphone distributors in Japan. Smartphone companies that do not have tie-ups typically struggle to gain a foothold in the country.
During the interactive media session on Oct. 4, Wang tried to downplay concerns about data privacy with Chinese companies. He referred to Xiaomi’s successful streak in Europe during the past decade in which the company made its foray in numerous European markets. He said, “We cooperate with companies like Google, and have a clean track record of adhering to personal data laws in Europe. We will do the same in Japan.”
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The fourth-largest smartphone supplier in the world, Xiaomi plans to proactively establish its retail channels outside China. As of June 30, 2019, Xiaomi operates 520 Mi Home Stores outside China, recording year-on-year growth of over 90%. According to Akira Sugawara, a Senior Market Analyst at IDC, “With Japan racing towards adopting the 5G spectrum, Xiaomi might be able to find opportunities, as most major Japanese smartphone manufacturers are eyeing the premium category”.
“Xiaomi might find the perfect opportunity as the gap between market demand and supply increases. Even in the 4G sector, Japanese consumers are looking for value-for-money devices. If Xiaomi manages to offer its products within the $250 – $400 mark, It should be quite successful” Sugawara continues. “OPPO increased its shipment in the third quarter of 2019. Xiaomi might try to take a piece of the pie.”
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