What is a .jp address?

A .jp address is a general Japanese domain. Anyone, whether an individual or an organization, with a physical address in Japan can obtain a .jp address.

It’s flexible and is widely used for blogs, personal sites, small businesses, and even international companies with a branch in Japan.

Because it signals an actual presence in Japan, it is a good idea to register for one if you are planning to target Japanese audiences. Obtaining a .jp address without having a physical presence in Japan is possible by using a proxy service, or a business or entity that will represent your business, at the time of registration.

There are different types of .jp domains. .co.jp for corporations, as explained below, .or.jp for organizations, and .ne.jp for network providers to name a few. Different criteria must be met depending on the domain type, but .jp is the easiest domain to obtain.

In terms of SEO (search engine optimization), some SEO experts believe Google prioritizes local domains for its search results algorithm, meaning that if you’re targeting a Japanese audience and have a Japanese domain, you are in a better position to rank higher on organic search results pages, meaning there’s a chance more users will see your website.

Local domains also often have higher engagement rates than non-local domains. This is because a local domain indicates that the content on the site is more than likely localized for the local audience. Meaning, website content is in understandable Japanese. Someone who can only speak Japanese would be more likely to click on a .jp domain than a .com domain because there's a higher probability of being able to understand the content on it.

Having a .jp domain is an important step in targeting the Japanese market, but it is important to remember that it is only one part of your entire online marketing strategy if you are simultaneously targeting other countries. Global brand image and its local adaptation should remain consistent to ensure integrity and customer trust across markets.

What is a .co.jp address?

A .co.jp domain is a corporate Japanese domain. Only registered corporations in Japan can obtain this domain. To ensure the legitimacy of these addresses, only one per company is allowed. It cannot be obtained through a proxy service or through being represented by a local company, thus making it more official and trustworthy than .jp addresses.

Because renewal of this domain once a year is necessary, it ensures that when you’re accessing a .co.jp site, it is an active and functioning company.

It was originally created to help identify Japanese businesses online and promote their digital presence. Since .co.jp are from official companies, Google’s algorithm prioritizes this domain over the simple .jp domain, making obtaining one a necessary step in marketing your company online in Japan.

This domain helps build brand identity in Japan. It signals that your company is a part of the local community, and is building or has built a reputation there. It is also a sign that you have a commitment to serving the local community, have experience doing business in Japan, as well as have employees and a support network for customers in Japan.

Many Japanese users will question whether a company or service is trustworthy before signing up or buying anything. Since having a .co.jp address can be a sign of trust and credibility, it is definitely not something to overlook if your company is registered in Japan, or is considering registering in Japan.