This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
What the people who succeeded had in common were 3 things: a strong passion for starting a business, thorough preparation, and an attitude of understanding and respecting Japanese culture and business customs.Every one of them set out market research, an analysis of competitors and a revenue model concretely in their business plan, and consulted experts and more experienced managers repeatedly before applying.
For those who want to start a business in Japan but are unsure whether it can really be done, we have gathered the accounts of people who actually got a business off the ground.
What follows is introduced on the basis of real accounts, and does not apply to every case. Please check your own particular circumstances with an expert.
They set out market research on Japan, an analysis of competitors and a concrete revenue model in their business plan, and consulted an expert many times over before applying.
Having built a career as an IT engineer in the United States, this person was drawn by Japan's technical strength and the potential of its market, and decided to start a business here. Obtaining 「経営・管理」, however, was by no means easy, they say.
"Preparing the business plan was a real struggle. I had to set out market research on Japan, an analysis of competitors, and a concrete revenue model. My communication in Japanese was not yet perfect either, so I had a certified administrative procedures legal specialist (gyoseishoshi) advise me many times over."
With careful preparation and the support of an expert, they obtained 「経営・管理」 without trouble, then set about developing their own software using AI and began offering the service to companies in Japan.
"I felt that Japanese business culture places more weight on personal relationships than the United States does. I learned that, to build a relationship of trust with clients, it is important to communicate carefully and to take time deepening the relationship."
The business has since grown, and is drawing attention from companies overseas as well as within Japan. The secret of that success, it may be said, lay in an attitude of understanding and respecting Japanese business culture, on top of strong technical ability.
They set out clearly a vision of not merely exporting goods, but working with Japanese artisans to develop new products.
Having worked in traditional crafts in China, this person was moved by the delicacy of Japanese handwork and design, and conceived a business to spread Japanese traditional crafts around the world.
"In applying for 「経営・管理」, it was important to show that the business could be sustained. I got across clearly a vision of not merely exporting goods, but working with Japanese artisans to develop new products and to carry Japanese culture outward."
As well as selling Japanese traditional crafts overseas through an e-commerce site, they developed the business in several directions, including inviting Japanese artisans to exhibitions abroad to run workshops. That enthusiasm and originality were recognised, and they obtained 「経営・管理」.
"I feel that customers in Japan value not only the quality of a product but the story behind it and the feeling of the artisan. By conveying carefully the story held in each individual piece, we struck a chord and built up repeat custom."
A clear concept, secured supply routes and a strategy for attracting customers had to be set out concretely in the business plan.
Having honed their craft in Lyon in France, this person was captivated by the richness of Japanese ingredients and the delicacy of the food culture, and came to Japan dreaming of opening a French restaurant here.
"Applying for 「経営・管理」 was a great challenge for me. I had plenty of experience as a chef in France, but the way business works in Japan, and the laws and regulations on running a restaurant, were a completely unknown world. In the business plan, I had to set out concretely a clear concept, secured supply routes, and a strategy for attracting customers."
They consulted repeatedly with a consultant versed in Japanese food culture, and with more experienced French people who also run restaurants in Japan, and prepared thoroughly. They also went energetically around Japan's food markets, sparing no effort to find suppliers they could trust.
"Customers in Japan are highly conscious not only of how the food tastes, of course, but of the quality of the ingredients, the beauty of the presentation and the fineness of the service. While keeping to traditional French methods, I made a point of taking in Japanese seasonal ingredients and serving dishes that can be enjoyed with both the eye and the tongue."
3 things: passion, thorough preparation, and an understanding and respect for Japanese culture and business customs.
These stories share the following 3 points.
Obtaining 「経営・管理」 is by no means easy, but with a clear vision and support from those around you, a way opens up.
The requirements and procedures for obtaining 「経営・管理」 may change, so please always check the latest information on the official website of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and similar sources.
In these accounts, market research on Japan, an analysis of competitors and a concrete revenue model were said to be needed. In the case of food and drink, a clear concept, secured supply routes and a strategy for attracting customers were also set out concretely.
The person in IT started from a position where communication in Japanese was not yet perfect, and prepared while consulting a certified administrative procedures legal specialist (gyoseishoshi) many times over. Getting the support of an expert is a realistic way to proceed.
The person in traditional crafts showed it by getting across clearly a vision of not merely exporting goods, but working with Japanese artisans to develop new products and to carry the culture outward.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.