If you are a consumer services type, find an accountant to talk to. Also ask yourself if Japan is the right place to be doing this. Entrepreneurial work is risky even in your own culture. In a foreign culture, it's going to be a whole lot harder and will require an extra set of business, language and culture skills. Furthermore, the current economic climate in Japan does not favor imports right now.
Consumer spending is down, as is the yen, making imports more expensive.
An entrepreneur starting up a mail order import operation this year will need very deep pockets, indeed, to survive. Still, Chuck likes the entrepreneurial opportunities in mail ordering. For one thing, it can be done from anywhere. Look to the new storefront operation for the answers. Chuck wants to make the shop the most fun and friendly place in Kansai for foreign food and books.