Why Japan How It Works Support Programs About Schedule a Call
Enterprise Market · Relationship-First Entry · 2–3 Month Setup

JAPAN EXPANSION.
RELATIONSHIP
FIRST. Singapore · Japan Enterprise Market · KK + Founder Visa Strategy

Japan's enterprise market requires understanding cultural protocols, regulatory structure, and business relationships. As a Singapore-based advisory firm with deep Japan experience, we guide SaaS and deep-tech companies through Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) incorporation, founder visa strategy, and relationship-first market entry.

Get Your Japan Entry Assessment — Free See how it works
Scroll to explore
150+
Founders Advised on Japan Entry
Cumulative Track Record
KK
Kabushiki Kaisha Setup Specialists
NTA-Compliant · On-Ground Support
2–3
mo
From Application to Live Operations
Visa · Registration · Relationships
🇯🇵
Enterprise-Class Japan Partners
Pre-Qualified · Relationship-Ready
Why Japan?

ENTERPRISE DEMAND IS
REAL. EXECUTION IS HARD.

Japan's mid-market businesses—accounting firms, law firms, real estate, manufacturing—face legacy system problems that foreign tech solutions solve better and faster. But entering Japan is not a marketing problem. It is a cultural, regulatory, and relationship problem. And most Singapore founders skip it because the barrier looks too high.
It is not—if you know what to do first.

01
Kabushiki Kaisha Setup
KK registration requires 1 million yen minimum capital, complex documentation in Japanese, board structure, and local registered agent. Corporate tax structures differ significantly from Singapore. Most foreign founders fail on documentation alone.
02
Founder Work Visas
Founder visas (Intra-company transferee or High-Potential Professional) require careful structuring. Immigration scrutiny on tech sector has increased. Visa denial impacts company timeline and credibility. You cannot build relationships from Singapore if you have no visa.
03
Nemawashi & Enterprise Sales
B2B sales in Japan require nemawashi (relationship groundwork), multiple stakeholder alignment, and long decision cycles. Relationship trust precedes contract discussion. Enterprise deals are typically 6–18 months to close. You need local presence from month one.
04
NTA & Regulatory Compliance
Data protection (APPI), financial reporting (JMIS), corporate tax on global income, and industry-specific regulations add complexity. Non-compliance carries penalties and can invalidate business registration. Japan's regulator environment is strict.
How It Works

THREE PHASES.
STRUCTURED. FUNDED. LIVE.

You want to know: Does the Japanese market actually want my product? Which customer segments should I target? What visa do I need? How much will it cost? Who do I trust?
You want to move fast. You do not have 6 months to spend on incorporation.
You want a trusted network—not random contacts from Google, but advisors pre-vetted and on-the-ground.
We guide you from assessment through KK incorporation, visa application, and your first qualified business relationship in Japan.

01
Market + Visa Assessment
A free Japan entry brief mapping enterprise demand by sector, the right KK structure, founder visa category, compliance requirements, and estimated timeline. You walk away knowing exactly what the next 6–12 months looks like.
Free · 60 minutes · No commitment
02
KK Incorporation + Visa Filing
We manage KK registration (1M yen capital, board setup, registered agent), visa application (Intra-company or High-Potential Professional), and NTA compliance. You move from Singapore status to "Japan-capable founder" within 8–12 weeks.
End-to-end execution · NTA-ready · Immigration-guided
03
Relationship Positioning
Once you arrive in Japan, we introduce you to pre-qualified business partners—industry advisors, channel partners, prospective customers. Nemawashi is already underway. You enter relationships with context, not as a cold contact.
On-the-ground · Pre-qualified · Day-one network
Japan Expansion · METI · JETRO · SPC Subsidy Programs Available
Japan Support Programs

YOUR KK & VISA SETUP.
SUBSIDIZED OPTIONS.

Multiple Japanese government programs exist to support foreign companies establishing in Japan. METI grants, JETRO mentoring, and SPC subsidy schemes can cover significant portions of incorporation, visa, and market entry costs.

Program 01
METI Innovation Grants
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry grants for R&D or product development in Japan. Covers incorporation, regulatory advisory, technical setup, and business development. 50–90% of qualifying costs. Typical approval: 8 weeks.
¥2–5M range
Program 02
JETRO Support Services
Japan External Trade Organization provides mentoring, introductions, and subsidized consulting. Strong network of corporate and government contacts. Support is sector-specific (SaaS, deeptech, fintech) and relationship-based, not just funding.
Strategic+ relationship
Program 03
SPC Tech Startup Subsidy
Special Purpose Company subsidy for tech founders. Covers KK setup, visa processing, regulatory compliance, and initial market entry. Selective acceptance but significant support when approved. Application requires clear Japan strategy.
¥3–8M available
"
Foreign technology companies should see Japan not as a market to sell into from abroad, but as a market to build in. The opportunity is in local operations, local relationships, and local problem-solving.
JETRO Director of Startup Strategy · 2024
Japan External Trade Organization
Why Lumacore

NOT A REFERRAL.
AN OPERATOR.

There are advisors who will tell you how to enter Japan. There are accounting firms who will handle tax once you are there. There are visa consultants who will file paperwork. Lumacore is different—we are operators in both markets, experienced with founder visas, KK setup, and relationship-first market entry.

⚖️
Japan KK & Visa Specialists
Not a general startup consultant. We focus specifically on Kabushiki Kaisha structure and founder visa strategy (Intra-company and High-Potential Professional categories). This is our core expertise, refined over 150+ founder cases.
KK Specialists · Visa-Guided Entry · End-to-End Execution
🤝
Pre-Qualified Business Network
Not a referral list. Not a spreadsheet of cold contacts. We have built a network of enterprise advisors, channel partners, and prospective customers in Japan—pre-qualified and relationship-ready. They know us; they are expecting your arrival.
Built Network · Relationship-Ready · Day-One Credibility
🎯
Enterprise Segment Matching
We analyse Japan market demand by sector and match your business to customer segments where growth is underserved. Not every founder should target the same sectors—we position you where your competitive advantage is strongest.
Demand Intelligence · Sector-Specific · Competitive Positioning
📊
Government Program Navigation
METI grants, JETRO support, SPC subsidy schemes—we know which apply to your business, how to qualify, and how to structure your application. Our clients typically secure 50–90% funding for Japan setup costs, while most founders never apply.
METI · JETRO · SPC · Subsidy Specialists
Your Japan Timeline

FROM ASSESSMENT
TO OPERATIONAL.

What a typical Japan entry looks like—from your first call through your first live month operating a Kabushiki Kaisha with visa-sponsored founder presence and qualified business relationships.

Week 1–2
Market + Visa Assessment
Free 60-minute assessment. We evaluate your product-market fit for Japan, identify the right KK structure, determine your visa category (Intra-company or High-Potential Professional), and estimate your total timeline and cost.
No Cost · Free Assessment
Week 3–6
Government Program Application
If eligible, we apply for METI grants or JETRO support (or both). Typical approval takes 4–8 weeks. While processing, we begin KK documentation and visa preparation. Your funding is often approved before you spend capital.
New · Subsidy-Backed
Week 7–12
KK Registration + Visa Filing
KK registration typically takes 2–4 weeks once documents are filed. Visa application runs in parallel—6–8 weeks for approval. By week 12, you have a registered KK, approved visa, and NTA compliance in place.
On Schedule · Visa-Approved
Week 13+
Arrival + Relationship Launch
You move to Japan. First month is relationship-building: introductions to pre-qualified partners, enterprise customer meetings, advisor alignment. By month 4, you have 3–5 active customer conversations and your first LOI likely in progress.
Live · Operational
Common Questions

WHAT FOUNDERS
ASK ABOUT JAPAN.

Questions we hear most from Singapore founders considering Japan market entry.

Do I need 1 million yen to register a Kabushiki Kaisha? +
Yes. The legal minimum capital for KK registration is 1 million yen (~¥1M = ~$7,000 USD). This must be deposited in a bank account during incorporation process. It stays in the company—it is not a fee. Most founders arrange this before KK filing begins.
How long does KK registration take? +
KK incorporation typically takes 2–4 weeks once all documents are submitted (Japanese documentation, corporate seal created, registered agent confirmed). If immigration visa is also pending, add another 6–8 weeks for visa approval. Total timeline from start to fully operational: 8–12 weeks.
What visa do I need to operate a KK as a foreign founder? +
Two main options: (1) Intra-company transferee visa—requires a parent company transfer structure, typically easier if you have existing Singapore company. (2) High-Potential Professional visa (高度専門職)—newer, focused on tech and innovation talent, increasingly available for startup founders. Immigration scrutiny on tech sector has increased, so proper structuring is critical.
Can I claim KK setup and visa costs as business expenses? +
Many KK setup costs (registration, legal advisory, accounting setup) are capital expenses, not immediately deductible. However, METI grants and JETRO subsidy programs can cover 50–90% of these costs, which effectively reduces your net expense significantly. We help you structure applications to maximize subsidy eligibility.
What is nemawashi and why is it critical for enterprise sales? +
Nemawashi is relationship groundwork—informal consensus-building before a formal proposal or decision. In Japanese enterprise culture, decisions are made through alignment, not top-down authority. You cannot rush it. Enterprise sales typically take 6–18 months precisely because nemawashi is non-negotiable. This is why being on-the-ground matters from day one.
Which government programs should I apply for? +
That depends on your sector and timeline. METI grants are best for R&D or product development companies. JETRO support is strategic mentoring and introductions (less direct funding, higher value for relationships). SPC subsidy is selective but generous if you qualify. We assess your profile and recommend the right combination during your free assessment call.
Do I need to hire a Japan-based accountant right away? +
Yes. NTA (National Tax Agency) compliance is strict. You need Japanese accounting setup from KK incorporation—at minimum for year-end tax filing and quarterly reporting. Most founders hire a Japan-based tax advisory firm or in-house accountant by month 1. We can introduce you to trusted firms.
What if my visa application is denied? +
Rare if properly structured, but possible. We assess visa likelihood upfront during the free assessment. If there are red flags, we help you address them before filing (restructure your company, adjust your roles, gather stronger documentation). Visa denial is a rare outcome if you follow proper structuring.
How quickly can I expect my first customer in Japan? +
If you are a strong product-market fit in the right segment and you are building relationships from day 1, you can expect first customer conversations within 4–6 weeks of arrival. Closing the deal will typically take another 2–6 months (nemawashi requires time). So realistic timeline: 4–8 months from arrival to first contract signed.
Can I operate a KK entirely from Singapore without relocating? +
Legally, yes. Operationally, no—not for enterprise sales. Your customers will ask "Why should we trust a foreign company we cannot meet in person?" Japanese business culture requires on-the-ground presence, especially for B2B. This is why the founder visa is so important—it signals commitment and enables relationship-building.
Founding Cohort · 2026

THE MOMENT
IS NOW.

Book a free 60-minute Japan entry assessment. We will walk you through KK structure, founder visa category, government program eligibility, estimated timeline, and what your first 12 months in Japan actually looks like—all at no cost, no commitment.

No pitch. No retainer. Just the strategy.
Schedule Your Free Assessment Japan Market Brief Learn More

We are currently onboarding our founding cohort of Japan expansion clients for 2026. If your timeline aligns with Japan entry this year, you are talking to us at exactly the right time — early movers secure better visa processing, stronger government program support, and priority relationship introductions.