GS1 Japan is proceeding with the translation of GPC into Japanese. Since 2005, the latest versions of GPC content in 7 segments, Food/Beverage/Tobacco, Baby Care, Beauty/Personal Care/Hygiene, Healthcare, Homecare, Pet Care and Home Appliances have been translated into Japanese. They are published on the tool called GPC Browser, which GS1 Japan developed, along with other languages.

Fig.2.3.1-1 GPC Browser

On the other hand, GS1 Japan has been administrating the JICFS/IFDB classification system (see section 6.1 for details) since 1985. This system was developed by GS1 Japan with the cooperation of major industry groups. Master data synchronization using JICFS/IFDB is being widely used in Japan and this classification is being developed as a part of the SCM Project (see section 2.2 for details).
When Japanese companies import and export products or search for product information using the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), GPC will play an important role. But currently GPC is not being used in Japan, and GS1 Japan may develop a tool that enables searching for GPC using JICFS codes and keywords.

In October 2004, GS1 Japan entered a contract with UCC (Uniform Code Council, now GS1 US), the managing body of UNSPSC, and became the official Japanese translation agency. Currently, the latest Japanese version (9.1201) can be downloaded from the UNSPSC website.