FOCUSADS vs Shirofune
Shirofune is a Japanese tool that automates ad operations for Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft and Facebook/Instagram so that advertisers and agencies can run campaigns in-house. Its fee is a percentage of ad spend. FOCUSADS is a managed service: our team plans and runs campaigns, including Japan’s local platforms and offline media, for a fee that is separate from media.
Last reviewed Reviewed by FOCUSADS editorial deskNext review due
At a glance
| Dimension | FOCUSADS | Shirofune |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Managed service: planning, implementation and reporting run by the FOCUSADS team, with a client dashboard | Self-serve tool, with an optional support plan |
| Who runs campaigns | FOCUSADS strategists and media buyers, with client approval before budget changes and launches | You or your agency |
| Pricing visibility | Service fee, one-time setup and add-ons on separate lines; media budget paid directly to the platforms | Published: 5% of ad spend, minimum ¥25,000 |
| Channel scope | Online, offline and local media planned together (search, social, retail, OOH, DOOH, radio, TV, print, sponsorships), each with a measurement plan | Search, display and social ads |
| Markets | Country-level research of local search engines, social, retail, broadcast and outdoor media in every market we serve | Japan (site published in Japanese) |
Best for
Where Shirofune is the stronger choice
Japanese advertisers who want to bring ad operations in-house with automation
Teams without ad experience who want a tool plus monthly guidance
Where FOCUSADS fits better
Foreign brands entering Japan that need a plan and execution
Plans combining Japan with other countries, or with offline media
Where FOCUSADS is different
Fee basis
Shirofune charges a share of ad spend. FOCUSADS charges a service fee on its own line, so the fee does not rise automatically with media.
Who operates
Shirofune helps your team operate. FOCUSADS operates for you, with your approval at budget and launch points.
What the competitor publishes
Self plan tool fee is 5% of monthly ad spend (excluding tax), with a minimum of ¥25,000 and a two-month free trial. 1
Support plan adds a support fee of ¥100,000 a month (excluding tax), with a three-month minimum term and a monthly online review. 1
Its homepage describes managing Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft ads in one place, and lists Facebook and Instagram ads. 2
Sources
- Shirofune, Pricing (Japanese), accessed
- Shirofune, homepage (Japanese), accessed
We compare against what each company publishes, with the date we read it. Where a company does not publish a fact, the page says “not publicly confirmed” rather than guessing, and each comparison names the buyers who would be better served by the alternative. If something is out of date, tell us through the contact form and we will review it.
Shirofune is a trademark of its owner, used here only to identify the product. FOCUSADS has no affiliation with it. Facts are taken from its public pages on the dates shown.
See what FOCUSADS would do for your business
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