This week in Small Business Japan
#JapanRedTape, a new tag
I'm currently writing a report for a subsidy of over ¥10 million that we won for a client. This report is required to receive the grant money.
This week in Small Business Japan
Disaster landscape
In November 2011, I spent a month volunteering in Iwate Prefecture, one of the areas affected by the tsunami.
Disaster Preparedness
Beyond the emergency kit: Disaster preparedness for families – certificates, community, and more
Continuing from the previous article, explore unique challenges for families with children in case of natural disaster and learn about preparedness for that.
Disaster Preparedness
Disaster preparedness: Unique challenges for families with children
A newly published book compiling interviews with families affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes, reveals unique challenges parents and children face in the aftermath. We asked the author for tips on disaster preparedness for families with children.
Announcement
Family disaster prep: Learn essential skills at a 'Bosai Picnic'
A Tokyo-based NPO MAMA-PLUG offers courses and workshops designed to meet your specific needs and preferences. The organisation is flexible and can work with you to create a programme that suits your schedule and target audience.
This week in Small Business Japan
Why 'socialise' is a foreign concept in Japan: A Japanese perspective
When I went to the UK to study for a Master's degree, I came across the word 'socialise'. I think it was in a booklet for new students, which said something like, 'Let's be proactive and socialise'. To be honest, I found the idea a bit of a chore.
This week in Small Business Japan
Wonderful restaurants inevitably become 'neverland diners', and that's okay
The Japanese book Neverland Diner: At That Restaurant I Can Never Go to Again (Edited by Kyoichi Tsuzuki, 2021, the original title in Japanese 'Neverland Diner – 二度と行けないあの店で') is a unique 'guidebook' to vanished restaurants and bars.
Editorial: The 'harsh reality' of running a restaurant
There is a 'harsh reality' of running a restaurant. These are high break-even points and long depreciation.
For your business
Beyond the business plan: Essential steps for F&B success in Japan
Tokyo's JR Yoyogi Station's east exit leads to a block packed with izakayas, a diverse range of restaurants such as sushi and Korean BBQ, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Just a short stroll from this scene, you'll find yourself transported to Ireland.
Visa
PR application: Your spouse's tax & social insurance record also matters
Securing permanent residency in Japan requires more than just paying taxes and social insurance. Experts emphasise the importance of reviewing your employment contract and the spouse's tax payment history, as even minor discrepancies can derail your application
Visa
Key considerations after the 2024 Immigration Law amendments
Japanese government amended its immigration law in July 2024, imposing stricter requirements for permanent residency, including revoking it for intentional non-payment of taxes or social insurance. These changes take effect within three years.
Visa
Basic requirements for Permanent Residency
This series provides key considerations for applying for a Permanent Residency, or PR, in Japan. In the first article, we covered (1) the basic requirements, (2) the key changes introduced by the 2024 immigration law amendments, and (3) specific guidance for office workers and business owners.