Start It Up!

Starting a business anywhere is a demanding endeavor, but doing so in Japan presents its own particular set of hurdles and idiosyncrasies. For those who can navigate the process, however, there are many rewards to be had. Although the dynamics can vary widely depending on the industry, the top challenges facing startups in Japan include simply breaking into the market, language and cultural differences, the time it takes to build a customer base, bureaucratic requirements, and difficulties raising money.