When I go to Asian countries to inspect local business, I always go to local convenience store, department store and supermarket. I check out simply two points there.
Firstly check the point of how many convenience stores have become widespread in the town and the point of how much woman's shoes is in a supermarket and department store. It's because these points will be the indicator of economic growth in developing countries. The main consumer of convenience store is middle-income segment so many people belonging to middle-income segment will live in the area where there are a lot of convenience stores. And making sure how much woman's shoes, I can observe the degree of economic wealth of general household in the area so I will always refer to this point.
Secondly, I check array of versions of products. In asian countries, the number of super market and convenience store is increasing year after year, and they displays foods , cultural unique products and customised products to match with consumer's preference. Nevertheless, compared with Japanese convenience stores an assortment of goods displayed at shops is very few and one of convenience stores are very far from enriching the system of post and pre-paid service.
Firstly check the point of how many convenience stores have become widespread in the town and the point of how much woman's shoes is in a supermarket and department store. It's because these points will be the indicator of economic growth in developing countries. The main consumer of convenience store is middle-income segment so many people belonging to middle-income segment will live in the area where there are a lot of convenience stores. And making sure how much woman's shoes, I can observe the degree of economic wealth of general household in the area so I will always refer to this point.
So find potential needs that you can explore lacking service and foods in your viewpoint that you would feel it more convenient if you had that products or services and providing products which respond these needs will become business.
Of course, It is good idea that you buy unique and popular products in foreign country and sell those in Japan. In some cases, need to improve products or service by considering the feature of cultural climate but basically if you are able to see the product which is sold in Japan but is not sold in overseas or is in Japan or is sold in overseas but is not sold in Japan, you can dig unique products or service which nobody haven't found yet.
East asian countries' economic growth speed is very fast but being in the process of growth means all products or service is in the condition of beta version which is needed more improvement so every dissatisfaction element that you can feel against products or services by living in east asian countries in your high living standards can be a seeds of business.