Is a 1 year visa long enough to do anything serious?
It's probably long enough to get a company to the point where the company can sponsor you for a longer term visa.
Japan eyes startup visa program
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Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#12I don't think Italy is a great place to do business, but it's a good place to live in many ways. They've got something similar that might be of interest to the right person http://italiastartupvisa.mise.gov.it/#ISVhome
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#13Good luck finding a place to rent.
Silicon valley -> Tokyo expat here. It took me Just like anything, there's right and wrong ways to do it.
If you do it the traditional way with a japanese speaking landlord who mistrust foreigners, yes it can be hard. That is a significant portion of the market.
One thing I will say, there are real estate companies that actually cater to foreigners.
This has been my landlord for a year and I just renewed: http://tokyoeasyrent.com/en/
There are other companies like this in the space. Look on places like gaijinpot for more information like this: https://gaijinpot.com/
It's just like any real estate market, do your research beforehand.
Where I will admit it can be harder is when you want to procure a larger house. They don't tend to ask too many questions for studios (which should be enough for entrepreneurs family aside).
That being said, if you do have family, spend your time finding right place and ask for referrals.
Japan has its downsides but it's by far the best place I have ever lived (especially compared to SF) both food wise and price wise.
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#14Is a 1 year visa long enough to do anything serious?
It's probably long enough to get a company to the point where the company can sponsor you for a longer term visa.
Can confirm this is true. It was easy enough for me to sponsor myself after the company was setup.
In my case my first hire helped us set it up, and then he handed director over to me. You obviously have to do this with someone you trust. Would not recommend this for every situation.
Edit: I obviously hit a nerve here somewhere. I stand by my position here. Get the right legal help. I can say it was a pain to find but once I did the process was smooth. It's not impossible like people make it out to be. Any process has bumps.
Don't be crazy and do it yourself though.
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#15>Based on the New Business Implementation Plan, Fukuoka City officials will conduct a review on the progress of startup businesses founded by entrepreneurs who utilized this system and received approval for his/her Business Manager residential status. There will be three review sessions during the six-month period, of which at least one session will be held either at the entrepreneur’s place of business or residence.…
It can be yes. The govt agencies have their downsides.
We worked with jetro (skymind):
https://www.jetro.go.jp/usa/topics/companies-chosen-global-i...
While it has not been too bad, the paperwork and initial startup was a bit of a hassle.
I would be careful around this route.
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#16This is quite something because traditionally Japanese culture has been fairly close to foreigners and probably for a good reason. Japanese people are likely the most courteous and honest people in the world. You can leave your luggage in the middle of the road and come back to find it still there. These folks have little experience with foreigners and often even western culture would be too harsh and rowdy for them. Some people are even afraid of impact of foreigners coming down during Olympics.
Overall, this is interesting times when world's supposedly most open country like USA is closing borders to foreign talent while supposedly most closed country opens up their border for the same.
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#17> During the review sessions, the business’s bank account, lease for the place of business, and employment contracts may be reviewed. If progress is not satisfactory, Fukuoka City may direct the entrepreneur to return to his/her home country.
Thanks, but I didn't move out of my parents' house just to recreate the experience in Japan...
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#18Good luck finding a place to rent.
Silicon valley -> Tokyo expat here. It took me Just like anything, there's right and wrong ways to do it. If you do it the traditional way with a japanese speaking landlord who mistrust foreigners, yes it can be hard. That is a significant portion of the market. One thing I will say, there are real estate companies that actually cater to foreigners. This has been my landlord for a year and I just renewed: http://toky…
I've read getting a place to stay has become easier, but I still hear people complain about getting a bank account without help from an employer.
Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#19Good luck finding a place to rent.
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Re: Japan eyes startup visa program
#20This is quite something because traditionally Japanese culture has been fairly close to foreigners and probably for a good reason. Japanese people are likely the most courteous and honest people in the world. You can leave your luggage in the middle of the road and come back to find it still there. These folks have little experience with foreigners and often even western culture would be too harsh and rowdy for them.…
That's quite a roundabout way of saying "foreigners are criminals"...
Seriously, I'm extremely deferential to the local customs when I'm abroad. But I felt being pushed into a subway car during rush hour to be quite "harsh and rowdy". Not to mentioned the drunk guys who spit in my faced an laughed.