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Busan Overseas Trade Offices Help Local Companies Enter the Japanese Market and Expand Overseas Sales Channels through Video Consulting Meetings

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it held the “Q3 2026 Overseas Trade Office-Company Export Video Consulting Meeting” on September 7 and 8 for local small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to enter the Japanese market.

The meeting was organized to match local import and export experts based in the countries where Busan’s overseas trade offices operate with local companies on a one-on-one basis, helping local SMEs address difficulties in entering overseas markets and achieve tangible export results.

Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency recruited participating companies and identified in advance their target areas for overseas expansion and the challenges they faced. The overseas trade offices then identified and connected them with local experts for one-on-one consultations.

Busan Metropolitan City has been holding a series of quarterly meetings utilizing the overseas trade offices’ local networks and market-entry expertise. Consulting sessions in the first and second quarters focused on the Chinese and U.S. markets, respectively.

In the first quarter, consulting was provided to four companies targeting the Chinese markets of Shanghai and Qingdao. Consumer goods companies received advice on export feasibility, including customs clearance, while food companies were advised mainly on the Safe Export Program.

In the second quarter, consulting for the U.S. market was provided to two companies specializing in K-food and in cosmetics and apparel. The consultations covered practical solutions concerning guidelines required for business-to-business transactions, current consumer trends in the U.S. beauty market, and ways to expand distribution channels.

Four Busan companies in the food, cosmetics, and household goods sectors participated in the third-quarter consulting sessions. Each company received customized one-on-one online consultations with experts based in Japan.

Companies with previous export experience received guidance on pricing strategies and distribution channels for the Japanese market, while companies attempting overseas exports for the first time received customized consulting on logistics policies and various customs clearance and certification procedures.

In particular, beginning with this round, Busan Metropolitan City reflected feedback from participating companies by replacing the previous in-person consultations held at the AI Trade Support Center in BEXCO with remote video consultations. This change improved accessibility and convenience for participating companies.

Meanwhile, Busan Metropolitan City’s overseas trade offices serve as local hubs supporting local companies in entering overseas markets. Even after the consulting sessions, they plan to continue serving as a bridge for companies seeking to export by coordinating with organizations such as the Busan Export One-Stop Support Center.

The overseas trade offices operate bases in four countries—the United States, Japan, China, and Vietnam—and provide customized market development support for local companies, including export consultations, buyer sourcing, market research, and interpretation. They also promote exchanges and cooperation with overseas cities and publicize Busan Metropolitan City’s policies and initiatives.

Kim Ki-hwan, Assistant Mayor of Digital Economy Office, said, “The overseas trade offices are important export platforms that enable Busan companies to directly utilize the networks and market information accumulated locally.” He added, “We will continue to actively support local companies in entering overseas markets and achieving tangible export results by connecting them with local experts suited to their individual needs.”