Founders / Freelance
Freelancing, company registration, and running a business in Japan.
Startup Grind Tokyo
(startupgrind.com)
The Tokyo chapter of the global Startup Grind community, running regular founder/investor events.
Japan Startup Visa: How to Start a Business in Japan
(blog.gaijinpot.com)
GaijinPot's overview of the Startup Visa process and how it differs from the Business Manager visa.
How to Get a Startup Visa in Japan
(japan-dev.com)
A practical guide to Japan's Startup Visa as a runway into the stricter Business Manager visa for foreign founders.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 - Official Events
(sushitech-startup.metro.tokyo.lg.jp)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government's own startup event series - a reasonable entry point if you're trying to meet other founders without already knowing where to look.
How to incorporate a GK (Godo Kaisha)
(venturejapan.com)
Step-by-step from a company-formation service: GK setup costs about ¥100,000 and 2-3 weeks, versus ¥250,000 and 4 weeks for a KK.
Freelancing in Japan: Opportunities and Challenges
(japan-dev.com)
Realistic rundown of visa status, tax registration, and invoicing logistics for freelancing legally in Japan, from a platform that actually places foreign tech talent.