Guide overview
Start a Business in Japan
A guided learning path for founders deciding how to start in Japan: structure, incorporation, timing, setup, and the first banking decisions.
What this guide covers
Choose the right structure, incorporate at the right time, and get your company set up properly.
At a glance
- • 11 articles in this learning path
- • Status: Available now
- • Plain-English explanations for non-experts
- • Built for readers making real business decisions in Japan
Chapters
Follow the guide article by article
Each article handles one decision clearly. Readers can follow the recommended sequence or jump to the blocker they have right now.
Article 1
AvailableHow to Open and Run a Business in Japan
The master beginner playbook for deciding when to formalize, which structure to use, how to incorporate, and how to keep the business operational in Japan.
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Article 2
AvailableDo You Need to Formalize Side Income in Japan? When to Stay Casual, Register a Sole Proprietor, or Incorporate
A practical guide for side income in Japan: when a side gig can stay casual, when sole proprietor status starts making sense, and when incorporation becomes the better move.
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Article 3
AvailableSole Proprietor vs. Corporation: Do You Need to Incorporate in Japan?
A practical decision guide for founders in Japan: when a sole proprietorship is enough, when incorporation starts to make sense, and what actually changes.
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Article 4
AvailableKK vs. GK: Which Company Type Should You Choose?
A practical comparison of Japan's two main company forms, with the real setup and operating tradeoffs founders actually feel.
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Article 5
AvailableHow to Incorporate a Company in Japan (Step by Step)
A practical founder-first walkthrough for setting up a KK or GK in Japan without getting lost in the paperwork.
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Article 6
AvailableMinimum Capital for a KK in Japan: What You Actually Need
A practical explanation of the gap between Japan's legal minimum capital and the capital foreign founders actually need for operations, banking, and credibility.
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Article 7
AvailableWhen to Incorporate in Japan: The Practical Timing Guide
A concrete way to decide when the move from sole prop to company actually makes sense.
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Article 8
AvailableShould You Incorporate Before Moving to Japan or After? The Practical Timing Guide
A practical guide to deciding whether to form the company before relocating to Japan or after you are already on the ground.
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Article 9
AvailableFirst Operational Basics for New Founders
The first-month checklist for turning a launch into a working business.
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Article 10
AvailableTaxes, Invoicing, and Getting Paid in Japan
The minimum financial and compliance layer every founder needs to handle early.
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Article 11
AvailableBusiness Bank Accounts and Financial Setup in Japan
How to set up the money side of the business so you can receive payments cleanly and keep records straight.
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