Japan Startup Guide 2013

Japan Startup Guide 2013

New Insider Insights for Entrepreneurs to Start a Business in Japan

About the Book

The most up-to-date guide for entrepreneurs who want to go to Japan to start a business.

With deep answers to 207 questions, this will save you weeks of research, or months of trial-and-error.

  • insights into the local Japan mindset
  • advice on how to thrive in this unique market
  • suggestions on where in Japan you should set up your office
  • negotiation insights : how to tell a yes from an indirect no
  • the government departments you should know for best advantage
  • predictions of what changes are likely in the next five years
  • hiring and firing tips
  • expected time and costs
  • foreigner-friendly law firms, accountants, and banks
  • hints at what products and services are missing in Japan
  • advice on marketing inside Japan

Look at the Table of Contents for the full list of 207 questions.

The answers to each question were gathered by multiple researchers, both locals and expats with hands-on experience in Japan, so that this book is not one person’s opinion, but the insights of many, combined.

By buying this book, you will have lifetime access to all research at woodegg.com, including the ability to ask us any question about Japan, and we will find you the answer.

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    • Management

About the Author

Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers

Derek Sivers created CD Baby in 1998, which became the largest seller of independent music online, with $100M in sales for 150,000 musicians.

In 2008, Derek sold CD Baby for $22M, and moved to Singapore to start his new company.

He is “Entrepreneur In Residence” at INSEAD Business School.

In 2011, he published a book which shot to #1 on all of its Amazon categories.

He is a frequent speaker at the TED Conference, with over 5 million views of his talks, and 275,000 Twitter followers.

More about Derek at sivers.org

Table of Contents

  • IMPORTANT : READ THIS FIRST
  • Country
  • Current stats
  • Quick history as it affects current business environment
  • 2012 zeitgeist
  • Near-future outlook
  • Relationship with other countries
  • Culture
  • Mindset
  • Religion and Race
  • Asia 101
  • Individualism
  • Local differences
  • Personal attitudes towards foreigners
  • What to wear
  • Attitude towards time and promises
  • Common conversational references
  • How to blend in
  • When not to blend in
  • Recommended reading/watching
  • Life
  • Quality of life
  • Cost of living
  • Western standards vs local standards
  • Language / English proficiency
  • Safety
  • Immigration / Visa
  • Where to live (short-term and long-term)
  • Typical living arrangements
  • Transportation
  • Internet / Phone
  • Food
  • Credit card? Cash? Check?
  • Availability of products/services
  • What’s not online
  • Differences in service standards
  • Expat community
  • Recommended resources
  • Business Culture
  • Mindset
  • Understanding “face”
  • Direct vs indirect communication
  • How to tell “yes” from “no”
  • Hierarchy
  • Who to speak with in organizations
  • Business attitudes towards foreigners
  • Signals of respect
  • How to build trust
  • Introductions
  • Business cards
  • Negotiation
  • Signaling success
  • Innovation vs status quo
  • Passing-through vs Full-time
  • Advantages to foreigners
  • Advantages to locals
  • Risks
  • Corruption
  • Government
  • General role of government
  • Who’s who: departments you need to know
  • What the government is emphasizing now
  • Incentives
  • Grants
  • Business Setup
  • Ease of doing business
  • Local partners?
  • Business structure choice
  • Business name choice
  • Timeline
  • Cost
  • Incorporating
  • Where to locate
  • Real estate
  • Big city vs outlying areas
  • What your location says about your business
  • Utilities
  • Permits
  • Contracts
  • Lawyers
  • Accountants
  • Paying taxes
  • Ongoing requirements
  • Recommended resources
  • Hiring
  • Local talent strengths
  • Hiring local people
  • How much to pay?
  • How to find good people?
  • Online vs offline
  • Hiring foreign people
  • Step-by-step process
  • Labor laws
  • Payroll
  • Unions
  • Firing
  • Recommended resources
  • Money
  • Banking overview
  • Bank comparison
  • How to open an account
  • Online banking
  • Paying employees
  • Paying vendors
  • Getting a bank loan
  • Getting investors
  • What if they don’t pay?
  • Industry sectors
  • Industries
  • What’s missing?
  • What’s unique?
  • Growing the Business
  • Marketing
  • Expanding outside the country
  • CREDITS
  • Researchers:
  • Michael Keferl
  • Loren Fykes
  • Hidetomo Tanaka
  • Editor:
  • Lori Wolf
  • Artwork:
  • IMPORTANT : READ THIS FIRST

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