Some of the larger embassies in Tokyo offer commercial support services to companies from their respective home countries. These services include market research, introduction to potential business partners and customers, paralegal services, incubator services, and so on.
It can be an effective solution to combine the services of a private consulting firm with the public services of an embassy, also from a cost point of view. GEN will be pleased to help clients coordinate initial discussions with their embassy, as well as the resulting assistance performed by its officers.
The Commercial Section of the Royal Danish Embassy in Tokyo, with whom we maintain excellent relations, can be found at the following link. Please contact Minister Counsellor Mr. Jens Peder Jensen either directly or via ourselves. http://www.eksporttiljapan.um.dk/da
Other embassies, such as the American, Swedish and Australian Embassies, offer similar services.
What’s Happening in Tokyo
Tokyo Metropolis is a weekly magazine loaded with classified ads as well as detailed information on restaurants, movies, and other listings and reviews. http://metropolis.japantoday.com/default.asp
For a bit of gossip and Who’s Who, go to the “Bill Hersey’s Partyline” section of the Tokyo Weekender website. This site also has many useful links. http://www.weekender.co.jp/
Tokyo Orientations
Tokyo Orientations, Inc. provides companies and individuals with relocation solutions to make the transition as smooth and cost-effective as possible. Tokyo Orientations recognizes that such moves present unique challenges to individuals, families, and human resource departments. Cultural and linguistic barriers can intensify the sense of dislocation and undermine a successful assignment so many expats find this service highly beneficial. There are many useful links on their website. http://www.tokyoorientations.com/
Housing and Daily Life
If you decide to station an employee in Japan, that person will of course need a comfortable place to live. We've found that the best real estate agents in Tokyo are the husband/wife team of Ken and Noriko Arbour. http://www.century21japan.com/
Club Life
The Tokyo American Club offers a home-away-from-home environment with sports and exercise facilities and excellent restaurants and bar, both casual and for business. Good for networking and establishing enduring friendships. Membership is about one-third American, one-third Japanese and one-third other nationalities, so the mix is both interesting and helpful for your business. http://www.tokyoamericanclub.org/
The Tokyo Sail & Power Squadron is a yacht club with no clubhouse but about 65 friendly members who can help you get on the inviting waters within easy reach of Tokyo. The group’s regular monthly meeting (“Keelhaul”) is held the first Wednesday of each month at a sports bar in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. Even if you are not a “salty dog” you may enjoy the beer and hamburgers as well as the friendly conversation. Find more details at their website. http://www.tspsjapan.org/
Some of the larger embassies in Tokyo offer commercial support services to companies from their respective home countries. These services include market research, introduction to potential business partners and customers, paralegal services, incubator services, and so on.