Japanese Terms on Product Releases

You have probably already seen attractive photos of figurines, fashion or trading cards only available in Japan. And you are desperate to pre-order that limited edition collaboration figure from Japan! To smoothen your buying experience with ZenMarket, this article can help you become an expert on Japanese product launch terms so you do not miss out on new products released in Japan.

1. Release/Announcement  - Happyō (発表)

The release date or announcement date is the date you should pay attention to because it could be the day you can start pre-ordering Japanese products!

 2.  Reservation/Reservation Time - Yoyaku Kikan (予約期間)

The reservation/pre-order period usually has a start and end date. It states the exact period of when the item is accepting pre-orders. This is your opportunity to get ahead by purchasing the product you want! Keep in mind that in most cases, pre-order dates are much earlier than the shipping date so make sure you check how long until the item will be shipped to avoid disappointment on instantly getting it. 

The term Yoyakuchū (予約中) indicates that reservations are in progress. While Yoyaku Shūryō (予約終了) indicates that reservations are closed.

 3.  Official release  - Kōshiki Hatsubai (公式発売)

The official release refers to the date when the item is officially available for purchase by everyone. Depending on the nature of the product, stocks may be low if there were pre-order periods beforehand.

 4.  Restock  - Sainyūka (再入荷)

Restocking occurs for products that are so popular that they get sold out right away during the release. Restocking can happen multiple times depending on the brand/seller's intentions. Some items can be restocked only three times in six years and others three times in three months!

By understanding these steps, you'll be able to anticipate the releases of your favorite products. Each of these steps is publicly announced usually on official websites or social media platforms. This handy guide will help you navigate the world of Japanese product releases and grab valuable opportunities and often great deals before prices spike or stocks sell out.

The most common Japanese terms for products

Being aware of new product release dates increases your chances of landing the product of your dreams. However, to ensure that you don't get confused by the Japanese product pages, here is a glossary of Japanese terms most used in Japanese product descriptions.

Now you're ready to search for Japanese products. Bookmark this page to easily find the tips you need to get your hands on the latest Japanese products.