TOKYO, May 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Rakuten Group ( RKUNF )

is partnering with eBay ( EBAY ) to test U.S. demand for used

Japanese fashion goods, made all the cheaper with the yen

trading near a 34-year low.

The tie-up, which started on May 8 with just seven vendors

on Rakuten's ( RKUNF ) second-hand goods unit Rakuma, aims to capitalise

on the currency effect and also a move toward bargain hunting as

cost-of-living pressures around the world crimp spending.

eBay ( EBAY ) lists Rakuma's selected goods through its site and

handles shipping and customer service in the U.S. in exchange

for commissions on sales.

The trial is starting with used fashion and accessories,

which have cachet overseas due to Japanese users' reputation for

treating their luxury goods gently, said Rakuma general manager

Kenichiro Hasegawa.

"Because of the use of cases and covers and such, these

second-hand goods are in quite good shape," Hasegawa said. "To

say something is 'used in Japan' gives some immediate value."

The tie-up comes amid an investment and tourism boom in

Japan, partly fuelled by the yen's slide that has made the

country's goods relatively cheap. Second-hand stores, notably in

Tokyo's electronics district of Akihabara, have been swarmed by

overseas customers looking to snap up vintage games and toys.

Rakuten ( RKUNF ) did not provide a sales target for the venture with

eBay ( EBAY ). Hasegawa said there has not been any feedback from the

seven vendors yet, but if the trial goes well the goal would be

to link up all Rakuma shops and users with eBay ( EBAY ).

Used and refurbished items make up about 40% of eBay's ( EBAY ) gross

merchandise volume. Global sales of "thrifted" clothing, shoes,

and accessories increased more than five-fold in March 2024 from

the year before, the company said.

After the U.S., eBay's ( EBAY ) next biggest markets are Canada,

Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany, and its "ultimate

goal" would be to expand Rakuma offerings to those countries,

said Naoki Kitamura, eBay Japan's head of category management.