TOKYO: Japanese distributors ARATA CORPORATION and PALTAC CORPORATION, along with data exchange firm PLANET, INC., said on Monday they will establish a new company to centralize product information management for the consumer goods industry.
The new venture, Product Registry Services, Inc., aims to create a single, standardized source for product data – such as descriptions and images – for items like cosmetics and daily necessities.
The initiative, developed in cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), is designed to address inefficiencies and rising costs in the supply chain.
Currently, product information is managed individually by suppliers, leading to manual data entry, inconsistencies, and communication delays. The companies warned that without modernization, it could become difficult to maintain current service levels, potentially affecting product availability for consumers.
The new registry is aligned with METI’s “Commodity Information Platform Concept,” which promotes principles like single data input by brand owners and the use of common identifiers to ensure accuracy.
ARATA and PALTAC, which handle over 2 trillion yen ($12.6 billion) in goods annually, form a crucial link between manufacturers and retailers. PLANET provides the underlying infrastructure for digital transactions like ordering and invoicing.
The three partners will operate the company initially, with plans to seek broad industry participation from manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
COMPANY DETAILS:
- Name: Product Registry Services, Inc.
- Capital: 100 million yen
- Ownership: ARATA (30%), PALTAC (30%), PLANET (40%)
- Launch: Established in November 2025, with service starting in April 2026.
- Business: Centralized collection and maintenance of product data, and provision of that information to supply chain partners.
($1 = 158.5300 yen)