I realize that many proceed with caution when buying domains in general from a seller that is not fluent in the language, or not residing in the country that the domain stems from. Even for my portfolio older does not necessarily make certain domains the best keyword or even the best translation. These are few things to research yourself or just ask the seller.

1. Katakana translation of the word in English
This has been something I thing most don’t want to point out. For many keywords this is the only word or even the best in Japanese. But just putting the English keyword in katakana & selling it, would be something to look out for. Many times the seller is thinking this is the best term for the keyword & it isn’t. Honestly with many sales no one ever usually states “Hey this isn’t the most common translation for this”. But it is “a” translation so it is correct. One of those catch 22 things.

2. Why are there so many searches for this keyword?
I’ve seen some people sell keywords that the answer for this has been “Cause its popular in Japan”. Please don’t think Japanese are just strange everything usually has a reason. The domain is mostly associated with something like a magazine, TV Show, Celebrity, or even a band name.
3. What other translations are there for this term?
I bought a term, that I was only thinking of one translation of it. It was a location. I realized later it was associated with a bigger keyword. This only happened to me once, & I was pretty one minded in thinking about matching that IDN domain with the Ascii (Romaji) in the same extension. Unfortunately to me the set as a location is more valuable to my later plans.

4. Is there a Company, service, music group. magazine etc. With this keyword as the name?
This happens all the time, & most often unknowing by the seller who might not have time to research every domain they own.

5. Would a native think this is valuable?
Try to make a Japanese friend who might have some association with the keyword. If its shopping related go on facebook or any of those SNS & meet someone & just send a message. You only need one or two people to reply.

6. Is this keyword even used in Japan?
Yep I’ve seen this too, selling keywords that are popular services in the States but aren’t in Japan.

7. English keywords with an s added to it in dot JP
Japanese “usually” use many English words in singular form even when describing something in the plural. For example Convertible.jp  works, register Convertibles.jp & selling it well, the seller just got duped. Japanese are going to forget the “S” at the end.

Anyway just my tribute to this… right back to work.