EMS is an expensive way for shipping, but it's
very fast and safe.  If you want cheaper
shipping cost, you can ask the sender to use 
different shipping method in Japan, like send it
through by regular airmail or seamail.  For heavy
item, I suggest to use seamail, it's slow (one to
two months), but if you're not in a hurry to get 
the item, that's the most cheapest way.  If the
item is light, regular airmail will do fine, and
it's cheaper than using EMS.