India's knitwear exports to Japan made up just 0.3 per cent of the total knitwear products imported by the country in 2014. Interestingly, India enjoys duty free access to Japan. Indian knitwear exporters need to come out with innovative designs that suit the taste of Japanese. They have to improve product quality and display better adherence to delivery schedules.

Though Chinese textile exporters do not enjoy duty free access in Japan, almost 80 per cent of the total range of textile products imported into Japan is from China. India's share in wovens garments to Japan stands at 1.45 per cent. It is not just pricing that works in Japan, the color and design for a particular season is very important. Fashion trends in Japan change every 40 days. By the time Indian exporters ship the readymade garments, they are already out of season in Japan.

One way out is for Indian apparel makers to seek the help of Japanese fashion designers who can offer color and fabric forecasts to help Indian apparel exporters understand Japan’s changing styles in clothing. And as it happens, Japan is trying to reduce its dependence on Chinese clothing. India can seize this opportunity to make inroads.