Our Japanese Business Diary #1: How did I start a business as a foreigner?

Lisa Anglade • 12/05/2025 • 10 min read

‍

These days, I keep receiving the same DMs: “Wait… how did you manage to open a business in Japan??” Usually with a second, louder question hiding right behind it:

‍
“…and can I do it too?”

‍

So let’s talk about it… because honestly? It’s about 50% willingness, 45% business relationships, and 5% pure, unfiltered paperwork pain. (If you know, you know.)

‍

But before all the “how,” let me rewind a bit.

‍

‍

Landing in Japan… then unexpectedly diving into startups

‍

‍

I came to Niigata city with an engineer visa and zero plans to become an entrepreneur here. The first reason being that starting a business in Japan as a foreigner sounded like one of those “technically possible but not for normal humans” things.

And the second being that I had the same stereotypical image as many people do : I pictured Japan as a land of traditional offices, endless hanko stamping, and rigid hierarchies.

‍

So imagine my surprise when I travelled to Tokyo, started chatting with people and discovered… Tokyo is a massive startup hub. Like, genuinely dynamic, modern-minded, experimental, and ridiculously international in some circles.

‍

Before I knew it, I was hopping from event to event, from shiny startup expos in Odaiba, to small, chaotic networking mixers in Shibuya, to those slightly suspicious “business seminars” you attend just for the free coffee.

And somewhere along the way, I met Hayate, who would become my co-founder.
It was then clear for both of us.

“Yep. We’re doing this. Let’s build something.”

‍

So… what did we actually build?

‍

Long story short: we opened a (mostly) digital marketing agency.

But not your usual digital marketing setup. Our whole thing is helping Western companies enter Japan and Japanese companies expand to Europe or the US.

‍

We work on digital strategy, content, social media…
Then, because we both like making our lives harder, we added:

• video production
  
  
• event organization
  
  
• in-person business networking
  
  

Basically, we became the bridge for companies who want to cross the “cultural and communication gap” without falling into it face-first.

‍

‍

The struggles nobody puts on their Instagram

‍

Let’s get real for a second.
Starting a business in Japan is not just cherry blossoms and signing paperwork with a cool hanko.

‍

‍

1. The Administration (aka: The Boss Level)

‍

Unless you have a Japanese co-founder, employee, or someone you can hire to help… the paperwork might eat you alive.
Forms, requirements, the occasional mysterious document that suddenly appears from the abyss… all fun.

‍

In our case, having Hayate made the process significantly smoother.

‍
Trying to do it alone? Possible… but I hope you’re well-rested and have snacks.

‍

‍

2. Banks (they WILL judge you)

‍

Japanese banks are very, very scrutinous.
You can’t just show up with a business plan and a dream. You need backup proofs to show them that you’re a financially responsible adult.

‍

‍

3. Finding your people (slow but so worth it)

‍

Japan is deeply relationship-based, even more than many Western countries. Networking matters. Trust matters.

‍
You can’t just push your business card into someone’s hand and expect magic.

So Hayate and I went to everything we could: big startup exhibitions, small niche meetups, cross-cultural business events, tech mixers, community coworking spaces…

Little by little, you start recognizing faces. Then you get introduced to more people. Then someone remembers you, and boom : a business relationship is born.

‍

It’s slow, but it’s real.

‍

‍

So… can you do it too?

‍

Yes. A hundred percent yes.

It’s not “easy,” but it’s absolutely possible.

‍
You need a big shot of willingness and patience. And you need the strength to laugh at the occasional absurd form asking for information you didn’t even know existed.

‍

But if I could do it (arriving in Japan with an engineer visa and zero plan to become a founder) then honestly, so can many others.

‍

‍

If you need help building your network… you know where to find us.

‍

If expanding into Japan (or out of Japan!) is on your mind and you want support (especially with networking, event organization, and finding the right communities) just reach out.

‍

We’ve been through the fun, the chaos, and the “what even is this form” stage.

‍
If we can make the process easier for someone else, we’re happy to.

‍

‍

Lisa Anglade,
Co-founder at Pont Miyabi🌏

🔗 Connect: LinkedIn | Website
📩contact@pontmiyabi.com

‍

‍