Core Viewpoint - Chinese e-commerce platforms are expanding their operations in Japan, with Temu recently opening up merchant recruitment and competing against established players like Amazon and Rakuten [1][2]. Group 1: Temu's Expansion - Temu began recruiting Japanese merchants at the end of January 2023, initially through an invitation system, which has now been fully opened for free applications [1]. - The platform aims to expand its product offerings to align with consumer preferences in Japan, directly competing with Amazon and Rakuten [1][2]. - Temu launched its services in the U.S. in September 2022 and has since expanded to over 90 countries, focusing on cross-border sales of low-priced goods from Chinese small and medium-sized factories [2]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Other Chinese e-commerce companies are also entering the Japanese market, with Alibaba set to launch its platform "TAO" in the fall of 2024 [2]. - The Chinese fast-fashion brand Shein is leveraging Chinese clothing factories to penetrate the Japanese market [2]. - TikTok is also starting to recruit merchants in Japan, preparing to launch e-commerce services, showcasing the competitive nature of the market [2].