Living in Japan? How to Become a Michi Proxy Shopper — Free
Looking for flexible side income while based in Japan? Registering as a Michi proxy shopper is completely free — no documents, a short WhatsApp video call to verify, and review in as little as 3 business days.
TL;DR
- Registration and listing are completely free — Michi takes no commission from shoppers
- You set your own rate: typically 10–20% of the item price, or a flat fee from ¥500
- Verification is a single WhatsApp video call — no government documents required
- Not an employment relationship — pick up requests on your own schedule
- Review takes as little as 3 business days, and any city in Japan qualifies
Buyers across Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia want Japanese products but can't always get to Japan themselves. Michi connects those overseas buyers directly with shoppers based in Japan. If you live in Japan — regardless of nationality or visa type — this can be a flexible side income you run in your spare time.
Who this is for
- Based in Japan (students, working holiday, expats, or Japanese residents themselves)
- Looking for flexible side income, not full-time employment
- Knowledgeable in a niche (beauty, anime goods, sneakers, luxury, food) or near a shopping hub (Shibuya, Ginza, Akihabara)
How the money works — Michi takes zero commission
Michi is an information platform: it connects buyers and shoppers and doesn't touch the transaction itself. Buyers pay Michi a monthly membership fee to unlock shopper contacts — none of that goes to shoppers. Your income is the service fee you charge the buyer directly, which you set yourself — typically 10–20% of the item price, or a flat fee starting from ¥500.
Five steps from sign-up to listing
- Free registration: name, city, and specialty
- Identity check: a short WhatsApp video call to confirm you're in Japan — no recording, no government ID, no address proof or bank details collected
- Build your profile: set your commission rate, payment terms (deposit + balance, or full upfront), and services (livestream shopping, photos, queueing, shipping)
- Internal review: as little as 3 business days
- Go live: once approved you appear in the Michi shopper directory with a ✓ Verified badge, and buyers contact you directly
What you need — and don't
Needed: being based in Japan, a WhatsApp-reachable contact, and a clear description of your specialty. Public SNS showing your life in Japan (Instagram, RedNote, X) helps build buyer trust.
Not needed: government ID, a deposit or registration fee, a registered business, or your residence card number. Michi never collects any of these.
What kind of income to expect
Most shoppers set 10–20% of the item price — a ¥10,000 item at 15% is ¥1,500 per order. Actual income depends on order volume, specialty, and response speed; more experienced shoppers tend to land higher-value requests. Michi does not guarantee income — treat this as flexible, self-paced side work.
Summary
Registering as a Michi shopper is free, requires no documents, and can go live in as little as 3 business days — a practical way to turn being based in Japan into flexible side income.
FAQ
Is it really free? Will I be charged later?+
Registration, listing and staying listed are all free. Michi never charges shoppers a commission or monthly fee — your income is the service fee buyers pay you directly.
Is this an employment relationship? What about taxes?+
You are not employed by Michi — you deal directly with buyers as an independent arrangement. Tax and insurance treatment depends on your own visa/residency status; Michi does not provide tax or legal advice.
Can students or working holiday visa holders apply?+
Anyone based in Japan can apply regardless of visa type, but if your visa restricts work you should confirm this fits within your status before applying.