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.

In exchange for commissions on sales, eBay ( EBAY ) lists Rakuma's

selected goods on its site, while a Rakuten ( RKUNF )-contracted vendor

handles shipping and customer service in the U.S.

The trial is starting with used fashion and accessories,

which have cache 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."

Investment and tourism are booming in Japan, partly because

the yen's slide 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 the seven vendors have not provided feedback

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, a company report said.

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

United Kingdom, Germany and Australia. The "ultimate goal" would

be to expand Rakuma offerings to those countries, said Naoki

Kitamura, eBay Japan's head of category management.

An eBay ( EBAY ) spokesperson clarified the goal was for the Japan

business, not eBay ( EBAY ) as a whole.