Who we are
Elevating E-Commerce from Japan to the World.
From Indie Publisher to Ecommerce Innovator
At the intersection of tradition and innovation, White Rabbit Japan weaves a tale of bridging cultures and markets. Dive into our journey from a niche Japanese learning publisher to a global e-commerce trailblazer, connecting Japan's unique offerings to the world.
Chapter 1: The White Rabbit Press Tale
In a quest to make a mark on Japanese kanji learning, Max Hodges and Tomoko Okazaki established White Rabbit Press. Their innovative Japanese Kanji flashcards resonated profoundly with learners, swiftly climbing to the top ranks on Amazon and global bookstores. Recognizing the momentum, White Rabbit Press diversified, introducing posters and digital offerings, thus emerging as a prominent exporter of Japanese language resources.
Pioneers of Proxy Buying from Japan
When our language product enthusiasts expressed interest in diverse items from Japan—ranging from magazines and CDs to beverages—we saw an opportunity. Thus, White Rabbit Express was born, addressing this burgeoning demand for a proxy buying service.
Initially, the journey was riddled with challenges, from sculpting the right business model to scaling operations. Yet, through determination and adaptability, we found our footing. Today, White Rabbit Express stands as a trailblazer in the industry, catering to thousands of global customers monthly.
To reflect the rapid pace of global e-commerce involving Japan and our expanding vision, we embraced a new identity in 2022: Japan Rabbit. This rebranding underscores our intensified aspirations in the market.
Order Volume Growth (normalized)
Blackship Voyage: Echoing History in Global Trade
In 1853, the silhouette of Commodore Perry's 'black ships' graced Edo Bay (now Tokyo Bay), marking Japan's nudge towards Western trade. Fast forward nearly two centuries, and a sense of reluctance still lingers among some Japanese firms about global engagement.
Drawing inspiration from this historic anchor point, we introduced Blackship in 2016. Our location, symbolically close to where Perry's ships anchored, embodies our commitment to bridging Japan with the world.
Blackship's compass points towards simplifying and economizing shipments from Japan. With our transparent, cost-effective model, we've sailed into the hearts of countless individuals and businesses, solidifying our position as a beacon in the industry.
Our Future Vision
From the inception of White Rabbit Press to the waves made by Blackship, our mission has been clear: streamline e-commerce between Japan and the world.
As we navigate the dynamic world of global commerce, we're not just building bridges—we're inviting you to cross them with us, uncovering the vast treasures of Japan's marketplace. If you're passionate about shaping the future of e-commerce in Japan, we invite you to be part of our journey.