#516 - Amazon Japan, AI Ads, And Global Growth

Amazon Japan is bigger than most sellers realize. In this episode, let’s unpack market differences, cheaper ad opportunities, AI strategy, and Japan travel tips. What makes Amazon Japan worth serious attention from global sellers? In this episode of the AM/PM Podcast, Bradley Sutton sits down with Nate Shurilla, Head of APAC at Pacvue, to break down why Japan remains one of the most overlooked opportunities in e-commerce. From marketplace size and shopper behavior to lower advertising competition, the conversation highlights why brands selling in the US or Europe should take a closer look at Japan before the window gets more crowded.   Bradley and Nate explore how the Japanese market differs from Western markets in ways many sellers do not expect. They discuss how Amazon and Rakuten dominate e-commerce in Japan, why convenience culture changes online shopping behavior, and how Japanese consumers often respond better to detail, trust, and brand story than flashy simplification. They also cover how lower tool adoption has created a unique opening for sellers using Helium 10 and Pacvue to gain an advantage in research, ads, and category analysis.   The episode then shifts into advertising and AI, where Nate shares why automation can be powerful but also dangerous when used without the right data or business context. He explains why many AI tools optimize for surface-level ad metrics instead of true business growth, and how Pacvue approaches this differently by factoring in organic performance, incrementality, budgeting, and specialized AI agents. For brands trying to decide between Helium 10 and Pacvue, Nate gives a practical breakdown of who each platform is best suited for and how both fit into a smarter advertising strategy.   To close things out, the episode adds a fun personal angle with Japan travel hacks and regional recommendations beyond the usual tourist stops. From scenic train rides between Osaka and Kyoto to hidden gems like Aomori and Yamagata, this conversation blends marketplace strategy with cultural perspective in a way that makes the episode both useful and memorable. It is a valuable listen for any seller interested in international expansion, smarter advertising, and understanding how local market behavior can shape global opportunity. In episode 516 of the AM/PM Podcast, Bradley and Nate discuss: 00:00 - Introduction 00:52 - Nate Shurilla Joins Live From Japan 01:40 - The Hanshin Tigers And Matt Merton Story 04:09 - Why Nate Moved To Japan 05:48 - How Nate Got Into E-Commerce 07:03 - How Big Amazon Japan Really Is 08:49 - What Makes Japanese E-Commerce Different 10:17 - Why Japanese Shopping Pages Look So Busy 12:38 - Why Amazon Japan CPCs Are Still Low 18:17 - Why Helium 10 Users Have An Edge In Japan 20:20 - How To Decide If Your Brand Should Enter Japan 23:06 - Helium 10 Vs. Pacvue For Advertisers 27:05 - Japan Travel Hacks Beyond Tokyo And Kyoto 30:16 - Why Nate Called His Talk “AI Is Trash” 33:13 - The Right Way To Use AI In Advertising 43:02 - What The Pacvue Agent Can Do 45:56 - Final Takeaways And Wrap-Up