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Due to historical and institutional influence, distribution channels are unique to each country. In particular, Japan’s idiosyncratic business practices around distribution systems have attracted great attention. When this journal published its first issue featuring Japanese distribution channels in 1994, it greatly emphasized the characteristics of practices in Japan. Japan received some criticism from the US and European countries from the 1980s to early 1990s for its closed distribution system. Manufacturers highly integrated the distribution channels through both capital and business practices (ie, the Keiretsu system). The integration made it difficult for foreign firms to enter the Japanese market. After experiencing recensions and deregulation in the past two decades, distribution in Japan changed dramatically. Quite a few foreign companies, such as Inditex-Zara and H&M, are successful although, Carrefour and Tesco …