Livetok®
Livetok® operates a Japan-to-China cross-border e-commerce platform portfolio — including a ByteDance-accredited Douyin live commerce service, a WeChat B2B distribution platform, AI marketing (GEO), and specialized vertical channels for cosmetics, real estate, tourism, and pet products — enabling Japanese brands to access Chinese consumers via KOL-driven sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersKobe, Japan
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Livetok® does
Livetok® is the operating brand of 株式会社ジェネラルトレーディング (General Trading Co., Ltd.), a Kobe-headquartered private Japanese company founded in September 1996 that operates a portfolio of cross-border e-commerce platforms enabling Japanese manufacturers and brands to sell into the Chinese market. The company runs a B2C live commerce operation on Douyin (Chinese TikTok) under an exclusive ByteDance official account — one of approximately 50 such accounts granted globally — supported by a 15-million-KOL matching database and direct contracting with influencers. A parallel B2B distribution platform, 日本優選良品, is operated through a WeChat mini-program reaching 100,000+ Chinese distributors, agents, and buyers. Sub-brands extend the platform into specialized verticals: BupTok™ (cosmetics-only Douyin channel in partnership with beauty magazine Bup), a Pet Goods Channel, 日本優選置業 (high-value Japanese real estate targeting Chinese ultra-high-net-worth buyers via Chinese bank VIP networks), CLIP JAPAN (tourism facility merchandise in partnership with Invengo), and LiveTok® the icon (celebrity ambassador program). An exclusive Japanese sales agency for Weimob's GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) service adds an AI-era marketing layer.
The company generates revenue primarily through commission-based transaction fees on KOL-driven live commerce sales on Douyin/TikTok Shop (subject to a 9.1% cross-border tax and zero tariffs/VAT), recurring subscriptions on the 日本優選良品 B2B platform starting at ¥80,000/month with optional GEO CHINA add-on at ¥240,000 per three months, real estate facilitation fees on ¥100M+ property transactions, and performance-based merchandise revenue through CLIP JAPAN. Distribution is direct enterprise sales via ZOOM consultations with free sales forecasting analysis, supplemented by joint seminars with Chinese financial institutions for the real estate business and WeChat community marketing for B2B distribution.
The business model combines regulatory advantages (cross-border EC tax treatment, official ByteDance account status) with distribution assets (KOL database, WeChat distributor network, China operations office in Shanghai) and is operated by founder-CEO Ueda Yūshi (上田祐之), who brings 33 years of China-related business experience. Capital base is ¥10M JPY with no external funding rounds disclosed, suggesting bootstrapped organic growth across multiple verticals targeting the China-Japan commerce corridor.
Livetok® firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Livetok®
- Legal name
- 株式会社ジェネラルトレーディング
- Website
- https://livetok.shop
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Livetok® operates a Japan-to-China cross-border e-commerce platform portfolio — including a ByteDance-accredited Douyin live commerce service, a WeChat B2B distribution platform, AI marketing (GEO), and specialized vertical channels for cosmetics, real estate, tourism, and pet products — enabling Japanese brands to access Chinese consumers via KOL-driven sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Livetok® industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cross-border E-commerce Platform
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Shopping Platforms (CRAFANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Social Commerce & Livestream Shopping Platforms (BPAMAGAJ), Live Shopping & Streaming Creator Activations (MPAAAHAM)
Keywords
Where Livetok® is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kobe
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Livetok® business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- LiveTok® Live Commerce Commission: KOL live streaming sales on Douyin/TikTok Shop with commission-based revenue. The platform charges for planning, operations, studio rental, KOL casting, targeting ads, pre-live announcements, customer service, analysis, shipping management, reporting, video production, and HP production. Cross-border tax of 9.1% and shipping costs are automatically deducted from sales.
- 日本優選良品 B2B Platform Subscription: Monthly subscription starting from ¥80,000 for B2B cross-border EC platform access. Includes catalog production by local staff, WeChat mini-program listing, influencer scouting and negotiation support, and direct sales to 100,000+ local distributors. Optional GEO CHINA add-on at ¥240,000 per 3 months.
- GEO Marketing Service: Exclusive sales agent for Weimob's GEO marketing service in Japan. Revenue from consulting and implementation support for AI search optimization targeting Chinese consumers.
- 日本優選置業 Real Estate Platform: High-value Japanese real estate sales to Chinese ultra-high-net-worth individuals through WeChat targeting and Chinese bank VIP customer networks. Revenue from facilitation and negotiation support.
- CLIP JAPAN Merchandise: Performance-based model for tourism facility merchandise (medallions, RFID passports). Zero initial cost, zero inventory risk for facilities. Revenue generated from sales performance with Invengo products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Business Course / Premium Course |
| Subscription | Monthly | 日本優選良品 B2B Platform |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Cross-border Tax |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fulfillment and Logistics |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Livetok® product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Livetok® operates a cross-border e-commerce ecosystem that helps Japanese manufacturers, brands, and real estate owners reach Chinese consumers and investors. Its core is the LiveTok® platform on Douyin (Chinese TikTok), which uses an exclusive official ByteDance account (one of only ~50 globally) to run KOL-driven live commerce on behalf of Japanese cosmetics, supplements, health food, apparel, and D2C brands. The company also operates a B2B WeChat mini-program platform (日本優選良品), a GEO AI-search optimization service, a cosmetics-only channel (BupTok™), a tourism merchandise service (CLIP JAPAN), a luxury real estate program (日本優選置業), a pet goods channel, and a celebrity ambassador program (LiveTok® the icon).
Product overview
LiveTok® operates as a cross-border e-commerce ecosystem with a core platform and multiple specialized sub-brands and modules. The core is LiveTok®, a live commerce platform using ByteDance's official Douyin account (one of ~50 companies globally with this privilege) to enable Japanese brands to sell directly to Chinese consumers through KOL influencer livestreaming via a BtoBtoC model. Supporting this are: (1) 日本優選良品 - a B2B wholesale platform on WeChat mini-program reaching 100,000 Chinese distributors/agents; (2) GEO CHINA - an AI-powered generative engine optimization service via Weimob partnership that positions brands in AI search recommendations; (3) BupTok™ - a cosmetics-only channel in partnership with beauty magazine Bup; (4) 日本優選置業 - a luxury real estate sales service targeting ultra-high-net-worth Chinese individuals; (5) CLIP JAPAN - a tourism facility merchandise service; and (6) LiveTok® the icon - a celebrity ambassador program. The portfolio offers Japanese manufacturers multiple pathways from B2C live commerce to B2B wholesale to real estate sales, all targeting the Chinese market.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LiveTok® Cross-border Live Commerce Platform A B2B2C cross-border live commerce platform on Douyin (Chinese TikTok) that uses an exclusive official ByteDance account to enable Japanese cosmetics, skincare, supplements, health food, beauty devices and D2C brands to sell directly to Chinese consumers through KOL live streaming, with comprehensive planning, studio operations, KOL casting, targeting ads, Mandarin customer service, fulfillment, and reporting.
- 日本優選良品 (Japan Yusen Ryohin) B2B Distribution Platform A WeChat mini-program B2B platform that distributes Japanese product catalogs to 100,000+ Chinese distributors, agents and corporate buyers with community marketing (社群), influencer scouting and negotiation support, and direct sales to local Chinese networks. Subscription starts at ¥80,000/month.
- GEO CHINA (Generative Engine Optimization) An AI-era marketing service that helps Japanese brands appear in AI-generated search recommendations (e.g., on ChatGPT and similar platforms), sold as an optional ¥240,000/3-month add-on to the 日本優選良品 platform.
- BupTok™ Cosmetics Channel A specialized Douyin live sales channel dedicated to Japanese cosmetics, built jointly with beauty magazine Bup publisher Megajin, featuring price control, genuine goods management, and the 9.1% cross-border tax with no translation requirements for packaging.
- CLIP JAPAN Tourism Merchandise Service A tourism merchandise introduction service that provides Japanese theme parks, museums, aquariums, zoos and sports venues with original commemorative merchandise (medallions, RFID passports) using Invengo products on a performance-based model with zero initial cost and no inventory risk.
- 日本優選置業 (Japan Yusen Chikushigaisha) Real Estate Sales Service A high-value Japanese real estate sales service targeting Chinese ultra-high-net-worth individuals (¥2B+ net assets) through WeChat advertising, Chinese bank VIP customer networks, Mandarin inquiry handling, business negotiation setup, interpretation, and contract assistance.
- Pet Goods Channel (よそのコも うちのコ) A specialized Douyin live commerce channel for Japanese pet product manufacturers covering outdoor gear, wellness/senior care products, bedding, tableware, and post-operative care apparel, with actress Ayaka Sugimoto as ambassador via partnership with Office彩.
- LiveTok® the icon Celebrity Ambassador Program A celebrity ambassador program that enables Japanese famous persons to be deployed as global brand ambassadors for LiveTok® clients, including pop panels, logos, trial/experience videos, premium Japanese TV shopping program applications, and celebrity interview content.
Companies that use Livetok®
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Livetok® technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
Livetok® partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- InvengoflagshipGlobal RFID technology company providing medallion and merchandise products. Invengo has deployment experience at Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Universal Studios Beijing, and Mercedes-Benz Taiwan. CLIP JAPAN uses Invengo products for tourism facility merchandise.
- Weimob Technology Co., Ltd.coreExclusive sales agent rights for Weimob's GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) marketing service in Japan. Weimob provides digital marketing SaaS, EC solutions, CRM, and mini-program development on WeChat ecosystem. This partnership enables Japanese brands to be recommended in AI-generated search responses.
- YUNGYUE INTERNATIONAL LTD. (映悦国际有限公司)coreChina-side coordination and integration partner for GEO CHINA service. Manages Weimob relationship and local implementation in China. Led by Zhang Yafeng.
- Megajin Co., Ltd. (株式会社メガジン)corePublisher of beauty magazine 'Bup' (b-up.online). Joint project BupTok™ creates Japan cosmetics-only Douyin sales channel combining Bup's editorial credibility with LiveTok®'s cross-border EC infrastructure.
- Office彩 (株式会社オフィス彩)flagshipTalent agency representing actress Ayaka Sugimoto. Pet goods channel partnership with dedicated Douyin channel. Sugimoto serves as ambassador for 'Other's Pet is Our Pet' (よそのコもうちのコ) project connecting Japanese pet products with Chinese market.
- ByteDance Ltd.flagshipPlatform provider for Douyin (Chinese TikTok). LiveTok® holds exclusive official account from ByteDance - a privilege granted to only ~50 companies globally. Direct contract enables official KOL recruitment and TikTok Shop operations.
- WeChat (Tencent)coreWeChat mini-program ecosystem powers 日本優選良品 B2B platform and 日本優選置業 real estate platform. 14 billion active users in China. WeChat official partner network enables distribution and community marketing.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Livetok® competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Rakuten: Japan-headquartered e-commerce and cross-border (Rakuten Global) platform — broader incumbent with overlapping Japanese merchant base considering China cross-border sales.
- Tmall Global (Alibaba): Alibaba's flagship cross-border B2C marketplace for international brands entering China — broader incumbent and the dominant destination platform LiveTok® routes Japanese brands through.
- BigCommerce: NASDAQ-listed SaaS e-commerce platform with multi-currency, multi-channel, and cross-border capabilities for mid-market and enterprise brands — broader incumbent offering overlapping cross-border infrastructure.
- Shopify: NYSE-listed global e-commerce platform with Shopify Markets cross-border tooling — broader incumbent addressing the same cross-border enablement need across a much wider merchant base.
Direct peers
- Global-e Online: NASDAQ-listed end-to-end cross-border e-commerce enablement platform (localization, payments, logistics, FX) — directly comparable cross-border DTC infrastructure provider serving brands entering China and other markets.
- Shopline: Hong Kong-headquartered cross-border e-commerce platform enabling Asian brands (including Japanese) to sell into China and Southeast Asia via storefronts, logistics, and KOL integrations — directly comparable cross-border DTC enablement model.
- Ecwid (Lightspeed): Cross-border e-commerce platform (now under Lightspeed) enabling SMB brands to set up multi-channel storefronts and sell internationally — comparable lightweight cross-border EC enabler.
- Cafe24: Korean cross-border e-commerce platform providing storefronts, payments, logistics, and global marketplace (including Tmall Global) integration for SMB brands — comparable cross-border EC enabler targeting Asian manufacturers.
Emerging players
- Temu (PDD Holdings): Cross-border discount marketplace from PDD Holdings targeting Western consumers with China-sourced goods — emerging cross-border commerce player whose model competes for KOL/digital attention and reverse-directs Chinese demand dynamics relevant to LiveTok®.
Others
- Weimob: HKEX-listed Chinese SaaS provider for SMB merchants (WeChat mini-program, CRM, EC, GEO marketing) and LiveTok®'s named partner for the exclusive Japan GEO distribution rights — adjacent ecosystem enabler.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Livetok® social profiles
Digital presenceLivetok® financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Livetok® leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Livetok® funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Livetok® M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Livetok®
What does Livetok® do?
Livetok® operates a cross-border e-commerce ecosystem that helps Japanese manufacturers, brands, and real estate owners reach Chinese consumers and investors. Its core is the LiveTok® platform on Douyin (Chinese TikTok), which uses an exclusive official ByteDance account (one of only ~50 globally) to run KOL-driven live commerce on behalf of Japanese cosmetics, supplements, health food, apparel, and D2C brands. The company also operates a B2B WeChat mini-program platform (日本優選良品), a GEO AI-search optimization service, a cosmetics-only channel (BupTok™), a tourism merchandise service (CLIP JAPAN), a luxury real estate program (日本優選置業), a pet goods channel, and a celebrity ambassador program (LiveTok® the icon).
Is Livetok® a public or private company?
Livetok® is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Livetok® founded?
Livetok® was founded in 1996.
Where is Livetok® based?
Livetok® is headquartered in Kobe, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Livetok® make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. LiveTok® Live Commerce Commission is the primary driver. The others are 日本優選良品 B2B Platform Subscription, GEO Marketing Service, 日本優選置業 Real Estate Platform and CLIP JAPAN Merchandise.
Who are Livetok®'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Rakuten, Tmall Global (Alibaba), BigCommerce and Shopify. Direct peers are Global-e Online, Shopline, Ecwid (Lightspeed) and Cafe24. Temu (PDD Holdings) is listed as an emerging player. Weimob is listed as an others.
Does Livetok® have an API?
No public API is recorded for Livetok®.
What industry is Livetok® in?
Livetok®'s product category is Cross-border E-commerce Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAFANAD, Live Shopping Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMAGAJ, Social Commerce & Livestream Shopping Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51621 and its SIC code is 7310.