TOKYO -- TikTok is preparing to launch an e-commerce function in Japan, attracting the interest of sellers hoping to leverage the short-video app's ability to draw eyeballs, as well as ad agencies such as Hakuhodo and Dentsu seeing opportunities to offer support.
ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, has already rolled out TikTok Shop in other markets including the U.S. and Southeast Asia. TikTok's privacy policy in Japan was changed on June 2 to incorporate mentions of "shopping features," spurring industry speculation that a launch could come as early as this month.
