AQ Partners Blog

Guide to severance pay and retirement allowances in Japan. Covers calculation methods, departure reason coefficients, favorable retirement income tax treatment, defined contribution and defined benefit plans, and typical settlement packages in mutual separation negotiations.

Comprehensive guide to employee termination in Japan for foreign employers. Covers the abusive dismissal doctrine, four requirements for economic redundancy, ordinary and disciplinary dismissal standards, mutual separation agreements, labor tribunal process, and comparison with at-will jurisdictions.

Guide to office setup options for foreign companies in Japan. Covers virtual office legality, serviced offices, coworking spaces, commercial lease terms including key money and security deposits, regional cost comparison, and impact on bank account approval and visa sponsorship.

Practical guide to Japanese business culture for foreign companies. Covers meishi exchange protocol, meeting etiquette, indirect communication styles, nemawashi consensus decision-making, relationship building through after-work socializing, gift-giving conventions, and common cultural missteps.

Detailed cost breakdown for Japan market entry covering incorporation fees, recurring operating costs, office space by city, social insurance burden, and first-year total budget scenarios for solo founders, 5-person teams, and 20-person subsidiaries.

Month-by-month checklist for Japan market entry covering incorporation, bank account opening, tax registrations, social insurance enrollment, first hire, and year-end compliance. Includes step-by-step timeline from entity decision through first fiscal year-end.