Build, Fund
& Grow Your
Business in Japan.
From company incorporation and business visas to government subsidies and revenue growth — we're the only team that walks with you through every stage of doing business in Japan.
100+
Companies Incorporated
60+
Business
Visas
15
Industries Served
50+
Businesses Scaled
Trusted Across Borders
We've helped more than 120+ companies from 15+ countries
What we do
Everything You Need to Succeed in Japan
Three service areas designed to work together — so you're not piecing together advisors from scratch.
Company Incorporation (KK / GK)
Business Manager Visa (100% approval)
Government Grants & Subsidies
JFC Loans (no personal guarantee)
Angel Investment Introductions
Website Design (EN / JP)
Google Ads & Google Maps (MEO)
Sales & Marketing Advisory
Market Entry Strategy
Sales Introductions
SmartStart — Business Setup
Get Your Company Properly Set Up in Japan
Japan's incorporation and visa process is paper-heavy, slow, and almost entirely in Japanese. We've handled it 100+ times — so yours goes smoothly from day one.
SmartBoost — Financing
Three Ways to Fund Your Business in Japan
Most foreign founders never access Japan's generous funding ecosystem. We make it simple.
Japan entities eligible
Access to larger angel investors
¥5M–¥50M per investor
US and Japan entities eligible
Access to 100+ investor profiles
Some revenue traction required
Best for : Startup with traction
¥5M–¥50M per investor
US and Japan entities eligible
Access to 100+ investor profiles
Some revenue traction required
Best for : Incorporated Companies
¥5M–¥50M per investor
US and Japan entities eligible
Access to 100+ investor profiles
Some revenue traction required
Best for: Incorporated Companies
SmartGrowth — Revenue Growth
Now Grow the Business You Just Built
We provide a variety of hands on services (Do For You) and advisory (Do With You) to grow your B2B and B2C business in Japan. The approach we recommend can varying and we offer two different tracks for potential clients.
- We help you get your first 1 - 10 customers
- We help you scale from 10 - 100 customers
Tyson actively advises 35+ companies on revenue, team, and operations and has helped 100+ business scale their revenue.
35+
Active advisory clients
8,000+
Students in co-founded schools
How It Works
No Japanese Required.
We Handle the Heavy Lifting.
Free Consultation
Tell us about your business and goals. We'll map out what you're eligible for — subsidies, loans, or setup services.
Program Matching
We shortlist the best funding or service options and walk you through the pros and cons — in plain English.
We Submit Everything
Documentation, translation, government submissions — all handled by our bilingual team on your behalf.
Funding or Setup Complete
We stay with you through approval and disbursement. You stay focused on running your business.
Who You're Working With
We've Built Businesses in Japan.
Not Just Consulted on Them.
Most advisors give you theory.
We give you the lived experience of actually incorporating, hiring, fundraising, and scaling here.
Tyson Batino
Co-Founder
Tyson Batino is a 4x serial entrepreneur in Japan who has helped more than 200 companies enter the Japanese market. He has assisted TJ with incorporating more than 100 companies with Smart Start Japan and is currently advising 35 companies with sales, marketing, and investment in Japan.
Tyson passed the JLPT N1 日本語検定1級 in 4 years and speaks and reads Japanese at a business level. His company One Coin English is one of the biggest English schools in Japan and was featured in the Japan Times as a successful Japan based entrepreneur.
He brings his operational knowledge to support Smart Start Japan customers and runs marketing. He will join your interactions with TJ and jump in from time to time to help make this an a better overall experience.
Resident Mentor — 500 Global
Helped company generate more than $15 million revenue
Advising 35+ companies on Japan growth
Helped Incorporate 100+ companies
TJ Yoon
Co-Founder
TJ Yoon leads SmartStart Japan's company incorporation, government funding, and business compliance services and is a native English and Japanese speaker due to his time growing up in both Japan and Australia.
Drawing on extensive experience supporting international entrepreneurs, he has successfully assisted with more than 100 company incorporations in Japan and over 50 government loan and subsidy applications.
His expertise covers company formation, Business Manager Visas, corporate bank account opening, accounting, tax compliance, and government funding applications. He provides end-to-end support, helping foreign entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses in Japan with confidence.
UNSW Graduate — Top 5 University, Australia
100+ company incorporations completed
50+ subsidy & loan applications
Whatever you need for the Japan market, reach out.
We can help you setup, fund, and grow your business or introduce you to the right person.
Success Stories
What Our Clients Say
I literally had no idea where to start on creating a K.K. company, and everyone else on social media made it seem like it was an obvious thing! I reached out to Tyson and TJ and they guided me, step-by-by. They offered options, suggested what I would need, and what I wouldn't need. They're quick, responsive, always helpful, and there's nothing I felt I couldn't ask. There's so much to learn, but knowing I can ask is helping me focus on what I do best, and leaving the rest to them.
Francis Fung
KiFor K.K
I moved to Japan to start a business focused on walking tours and food tours in Tokyo. The setup process was quite new to me, and I needed guidance. Tyson, TJ, and the SmartStart team provided valuable support helping me with everything around company/business setup. Their expertise and quick responses made the entire process smoother, and I’m grateful for their assistance.
Alex Schubach
Welcome to Japan 合同会社
Tyson and T.J are an absolute lifeline for trying to start something on your own in Japan. After living here for three years I still struggle to navigate all the paperwork so trying to do my own incorporation was beyond me. We managed to become official pretty smoothly. From helping with the incorporation to honest, frequent communication every step of the way it's been a huge help. They even introduced me to an amazing developer!
Sydney Seekford
Menuwiz K.K.
Ready to Start Building in Japan?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll tell you exactly what you qualify for and what the next steps look like.
SmartStart Japan is dedicated to helping international entrepreneurs confidently build and launch businesses in Japan.