What It Really Takes to Build a Startup in Japan & East Asia

Lessons from Founders Who’ve Done It

I had the honor of moderating a powerful and eye-opening panel discussion titled “How to Run Your Startup Survive and Thrive in Japan and East Asia.”

The event featured three remarkable founders—Tyson, Alexander, and Serkan—who have all built companies from the ground up in one of the world’s most challenging yet opportunity-rich markets.

What they shared went far beyond theory. These were real stories, battle-tested advice, and hard-earned lessons from founders navigating Japan’s deeply cultural and highly complex business landscape.

Whether you're a foreign entrepreneur looking to enter Japan, or a founder scaling within East Asia, these insights are gold 👇

Want to dive deeper? Check out the full YouTube recording of the panel discussion below.

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1. Japan Rewards Long-Term Commitment

Forget fast wins. Japan values trust, patience, and showing up consistently. The panelists emphasized that nothing happens quickly, but once trust is earned, it unlocks powerful momentum.

“If you're serious about Japan, invest for the long haul. The relationships you build today will pay off years from now.”

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2. Local Partners Are Your Secret Weapon

From government support to supplier relationships, the most successful foreign founders didn't go it alone. They partnered with locals who helped them navigate regulations, open doors, and build credibility.

If you want to survive and thrive in Japan, get a Japanese co-founder, advisor, or connector early.

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3. Bootstrapping Works—If You’re Gritty Enough

Not all success stories begin with a VC check. In fact, several of our panelists built six-figure revenue companies without external capital.

How?

• Lean teams

• Perfect timing

• Deep understanding of local customer needs

• And a relentless willingness to say “yes” where others say no

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4. Corporate Japan Moves Slowly—And That's a Strength

Don’t expect Silicon Valley speed. In Japan, it’s about certainty, not urgency. Enterprise clients, government bodies, and even consumers expect you to respect a slower, more deliberate tempo.

“Patience isn’t optional—it’s a growth strategy.”

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5. Give Before You Ask

In Japan’s tight-knit business world, your network matters. But here’s the secret: build it before you need it. Offer help. Share knowledge. Show up for others. Then, when you ask for support, it will come back naturally.

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 6. Authenticity Wins in Consumer Markets

If you're working in tourism, food, education, or culture-based products, authenticity isn't just nice to have—it’s essential. 

You need to: 

• Work with locals 

• Respect cultural nuance 

• And deliver real value beyond the surface 

• Panelists shared how building trust with Japanese consumers unlocks loyalty like few other markets can.

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7. Fundraising Isn’t a Must—Timing Is Everything

Many founders wait to raise capital until they've built traction, revenue, and trust. Raising too early in Japan can backfire. 

Instead, raise when: 

• You’re truly ready to scale 

• You understand the market

•  And you’ve proven what works 

  
  

“If you raise, raise for a reason—not just because it’s what startups are ‘supposed’ to do.”

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Final Advice from the Panel: The Founder’s Compass

Here’s what every founder should remember when building in Japan or East Asia: 

✅ Be patient 

✅ Be local 

✅ Be global in mindset 

✅ Build real relationships before you need them

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A Big Thank You

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Tyson, Alexander, and Serkan for sharing their candid experiences with such honesty and practical wisdom. And a special thank you to the entire Founder Institute Japan community for creating an environment where authentic conversations like this can happen.

If you are thinking about building or expanding into Japan, I highly encourage you to watch the full panel replay (link in the comments). The insights you’ll gain could be the difference between success and a hard lesson learned too late. There are no shortcuts here. No "growth hacks." No instant wins. But for founders willing to commit, listen, adapt, and respect the journey, the opportunities are unmatched.

Let’s keep building across borders, with respect, resilience, and a commitment to the long game.