Welcome to Japan BiZ Guide—the go-to website for business-minded people looking to connect with Japan! Do you want to start up a business in Japan but don’t know where to begin? Or are you a business professional looking to connect with a Japanese business partner? Or maybe you’re from a…
Share Your Success Story!
Do you already own a successful business in Japan? If so, we want to help you get the word out. Becoming a successful foreign entrepreneur in Japan is no small feat—that’s why we want to hear all about how you got to where you are today. What kind of problems…
Free Call Back Service
We are currently developing content for our website so if you have any questions on how to start a business in Japan, please send them to us together with a landline number and/or email, and we will be in touch by phone, email or by publishing an answer on our…
TOKYO
Tokyo, with a population of 13 million in the metropolitan area alone, offers a wealth of opportunities for foreign business people. Tokyo’s population density is much higher than that of most European and American cities. Shops and restaurants extend onto multiple floors of buildings and people tend to eat out…
OSAKA
With little green space and grey concrete buildings sprawling out into the horizon, foreigners may be forgiven for thinking that Osaka is Tokyo’s less-attractive sister. Contrary to expectation, however, there are many unique points to this city that gives it its charming character: the street food is culturally distinctive and…
KYOTO
This city, dotted with virtually thousands of temples and many UNESCO listed cultural heritage sites, is at the heart of traditional Japan’s global brand. Some Westerners may want to establish a business in Kyoto to enable them to live here. Kyoto is Japan’s 7th largest city in terms of population…
HOKKAIDO
For westerners who would struggle in the heat of Japan’s hellish summer, Hokkaido makes a fantastic alternative place to put down roots. Being the northern-most of Japan’s four islands, Hokkaido has a much cooler climate as well as heavy snow in winter that is good for skiing. Hokkaido’s expansive national…
VISA
As part of its ‘Abenomics’ strategy, the Japanese government is planning to allow highly skilled foreigners to stay in the country for up to 8 years. When this takes effect, Japanese companies would be able to apply for permission to invite skilled workers to Japan, particularly if they are global…
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Privacy Policy
This privacy policy sets out how Japan BiZ Guide uses and protects any information that you give Japan BiZ Guide when you use this website. Japan BiZ Guide is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be…
Terms and conditions
Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Japan BiZ Guide’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you…
WHY JAPAN?
What does TPP mean to entrepreneurs? What does it even stand for? TPP stands for ‘Trans-Pacific-Partnership’, which refers to the alliance of various countries under a treaty—much like the European Union. Many entrepreneurs find it difficult to spot opportunities because of the large-scale global changes that go beyond their imagination.…
TAX
You may be able to deduct client entertainment costs from your company’s taxable income if you meet certain criteria. In Japan, it is common to see drunk ‘salarymen’ (business workers) slouched over the restaurant table with their work-tie tied around their forehead. Surprisingly, gatherings like these are actually classed as…
EATING
Japanese cuisine has been rapidly gaining popularity around the world over the last several years, particularly since Japan’s traditional cuisine, known as ‘Washoku’, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A cultural practice designed to reflect the spirit of nature, Washoku places a large emphasis on seasonal changes and…
ACCOMMODATION
Finding a place to live in Japan can be tricky—not only do you have to pay the usual rent and deposit, but you also may have to find a joint guarantor who is willing to vouch for you should you not make your payments. On top of this, you may…
SHOPPING
Convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, local shops—there are several different types of shops where you can buy your everyday goods in Japan. Here are a few tips about the products and services to expect from each. Note: Japan is a cash-based society and you may not be able to use…
GETTING AROUND
Finding your way around Japan can seem disorienting at first—signs are mostly written in Japanese, there are no street names, and there are too many doors on their buses to know what to do with. However, getting clued up about how things work in Japan can make life much easier…
SKILLS
Having a unique business concept and good funding certainly makes running a business easier. However, these may not even be that important if you are gifted with a wealth of skills. As long as you can provide a better service at cheaper price, that may be enough to make you…
FOREIGN BUSINESSES
The biggest ethnic minority population in Japan until 2007 was Korean, with many of them being naturalised Japanese citizens. The most famous companies owned by Korean/Korean Japanese are: Lotte (Food manufacturing) and MK Taxi (Transportation). Currently, the biggest ethnic minority population in Japan is Chinese. Yokohama’s China Town is apparently…
MONEY & BANKING
In spite of its reputation as a hi-tech powerhouse, Japan is a country that forgoes emoney in favour of good-old-fashioned cash payments. First-time visitors are often shocked to learn that it’s perfectly normal for Japanese natives to carry around a few ￥10,000 notes in their pockets—a habit that poses very…