: Reserved strictly for registered corporations in Japan. Only one registration is allowed per company, making it the gold standard of business legitimacy.
By 2022, a clear trend was emerging among successful Japanese SMEs: the migration away from free email and toward custom domain-based email addresses (e.g., name@company-name.jp ). An article from that year compellingly outlined four reasons for this change:
Here is a summary of best practices for finding and using B2B emails in Japan: : Reserved strictly for registered corporations in Japan
Even if they use gmail.com , the etiquette remains formal. Use proper honorifics ( -sama ).
Sending unsolicited commercial emails to individuals in Japan without prior consent is generally prohibited. An article from that year compellingly outlined four
Use (updated 2022–present):
: Use platforms like LinkedIn to identify and connect with decision-makers at Japanese organizations. Use (updated 2022–present): : Use platforms like LinkedIn
If you are running an email campaign, it is crucial to understand why these emails exist to calibrate your outreach strategy:
As of the current landscape in 2026, finding, validating, and using current email addresses for companies in Japan requires understanding the shift from traditional, often opaque, communication channels to modern digital platforms. While corporate .co.jp domains remain the standard for formal B2B interaction, the use of public email providers—such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL—exists in specific segments, particularly among SMEs, independent contractors, and during initial outreach phases. This guide provides insight into navigating this landscape. The Landscape of Japanese Business Emails (2022-2026)
Small shops, local artisans, and independent consultants.