Hi, I’m Neil — an American entrepreneur who has called Japan home for the past 14 years, with the last 7 spent running my own business full-time.
When I first started thinking about launching a business in Japan, I scoured the internet for resources on legal requirements, grants, visa options, and support systems for foreigners. What I found was frustratingly limited and often outdated. Most of the information was either hard to understand or simply not written with foreign entrepreneurs in mind.
That’s why I created Expat Biz Japan — a place for people like me: foreigners trying to build something meaningful in a country that isn’t their own. Whether you’re just getting started or already running a business here, I know how isolating and confusing it can feel. You’re dealing with not just the usual challenges of entrepreneurship, but also language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar systems.
This site exists to make that journey a little easier. I share articles, insights, and personal reflections about starting and running a business in Japan as a foreigner. I also highlight the stories of other expat entrepreneurs who are out there doing it too — so you can find both practical guidance and inspiration when you need it most.
If you ever have a question or want to share your story, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading — and best of luck on your business journey in Japan.