Nomae Expats
Infrastructure

Infrastructure — 2.3

Productivity Stack

Coworking hierarchy, internet redundancy, and the accounting infrastructure that supports a Japan-based operation. Set it up correctly once.

3

Best coworking cities

1 Gbps

Fiber internet speed

¥40–100k/mo

Accounting stack cost

2–4 weeks

Installation wait (fiber)

Coworking Hierarchy

Tokyo

SpaceBest forLocationPrice (desk)
WeWork (multiple)International network, polished environmentsMarunouchi, Roppongi, Ginza¥50,000–80,000/mo
SpacesCreative businesses, event accessShibuya, Shinjuku¥40,000–70,000/mo
RegusProfessional meetings, short-term, virtual officesCBD locations¥30,000–60,000/mo
CocoDesk (7-Eleven)Drop-in work, 15-minute incrementsNationwide 7-Elevens¥250/15 min
TimeSharingCafe-style drop-in, hourlyShibuya, Harajuku¥500–1,500/hour
VENTURE CAFE TokyoStartup ecosystem, Thursday eventsToranomon HillsFree Thursdays

Fukuoka

  • Fukuoka Growth Next: government-backed startup hub in a converted primary school, central Tenjin. Subsidized rates for startups, strong ecosystem events.
  • The Company (Hakata): solid international coworking, English-speaking staff, good for short-term stays.
  • Liveup Daimyo: boutique coworking in the creative quarter, strong design and tech community.
  • BIZ COMFORT (multiple): budget option, reliable internet, private rooms available, ¥15,000–25,000/month.

Osaka

  • WeWork Honmachi: central, reliable infrastructure, international client base.
  • Synth Osaka: Japan-focused startup coworking, strong manufacturing and trade networks.
  • Plug.Osaka: startup accelerator with coworking, Midosuji area.
  • HATARABA (Umeda): budget option, excellent transport access, ¥10,000–20,000/month.

Private office vs hot desk

If you are doing client calls regularly, the hot desk math breaks down fast — background noise and interruptions cost more than the premium for a private office. Budget ¥80,000–150,000/month for a private office in central Tokyo. Outside Tokyo, ¥30,000–60,000.

Internet Infrastructure

Home fiber

Japan has excellent internet infrastructure. 1 Gbps fiber is standard and affordable. The installation wait is the main friction — budget 2–4 weeks.

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Internet Infrastructure

Home fiber

Japan has excellent internet infrastructure. 1 Gbps fiber is standard and affordable. The installation wait is the main friction — budget 2–4 weeks.

  • NTT Flets Hikari: the underlying fiber network used by most ISPs. Most reliable, widest coverage.
  • NURO Fiber (2 Gbps): fastest residential service where available. Excellent for bandwidth-heavy work. Installation takes longer — 3–6 weeks.
  • Softbank Hikari, au Hikari: competitive alternatives, often with smartphone bundle discounts.
  • Monthly cost: ¥4,000–6,500/month for fiber + ISP combined.

Redundancy

  • Primary: home fiber connection
  • Backup: pocket WiFi or mobile hotspot on a separate carrier (if home is Softbank, use Docomo or au for backup)
  • Critical meetings: use wired ethernet, not WiFi — Japanese fiber is stable, but eliminating WiFi variables matters
  • Rakuten Mobile unlimited data plan: ¥3,278/month — best backup SIM option, no data cap

Immediate internet on arrival

  • Pocket WiFi rental: available at airports, ¥300–700/day — use until home fiber is installed
  • SIM data plans: IIJmio, Mineo, or Rakuten Mobile — activate day one with residence card
  • Many monthly apartments include WiFi — confirm speed before booking if it matters

Office Setup Standards

Japan's compact living spaces require deliberate home office setup. Good ergonomics in a small space are achievable — they just require planning.

  • Desk: IKEA has significant Japan presence (online delivery). Herman Miller and Steelcase available through business suppliers.
  • Monitor: Yodobashi Camera and BicCamera are the main electronics retailers. Often cheaper than importing.
  • Standing desk: FlexiSpot Japan is the most accessible option — ships in 1–2 weeks.
  • Acoustic treatment: critical in Japanese apartments with thin walls. Acoustic panels from Amazon Japan, or portable desk screens.
  • Climate control: Japan's humidity makes a portable dehumidifier essential in summer (June–September). Budget ¥30,000–50,000.

Tax and Accounting Stack

Japan's accounting and tax system requires professional support unless you have specific Japanese tax knowledge. The cost of getting this wrong — through late filings, incorrect tax elections, or unoptimized deductions — far exceeds the advisory cost.

The stack

FunctionRecommendedCost
Bookkeeping softwarefreee or MFクラウド会計¥2,980–5,980/month
Corporate tax filingJapanese CPA (税理士)¥100,000–200,000/year
Monthly accountingBookkeeper + CPA review¥30,000–80,000/month
Personal tax returnCPA with expat experience¥50,000–120,000/year
Payroll (if employing)Freee HR or outsourced¥5,000–15,000/month

Finding a CPA

  • Look specifically for a 税理士 (zeirishi / tax accountant) with experience in foreign-owned companies
  • Ask explicitly if they are comfortable working with English-speaking clients — many are not
  • Recommend sources: International Entrepreneurs Association Japan, Tokyo American Club referrals, expat Facebook groups for accountant recommendations
  • Expect initial consultation fee: ¥10,000–20,000 for a 1-hour session. Worth it.

Critical election

When you incorporate, you must decide whether to opt into the consumption tax (消費税) simplified taxation method or standard method. For new companies, the simplified taxation election can be filed by the end of the first fiscal year to apply from year one — but for all subsequent years it must be filed before the fiscal year begins. This cannot easily be changed. Also consider the Invoice System (インボイス制度): B2B clients cannot claim consumption tax credits from your invoices unless you register as a qualified invoice issuer. Get CPA input on both decisions before the election windows close.

Consulting

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