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Office Space
Companies should think carefully about their priorities when selecting office space in Japan as prices can vary considerably in a country where old buildings and new buildings can co-exist on the same block. One consideration is of course cost. Because rent is a constant monthly cost, it can be a burden on cash flow and poor cash flow is often one of the biggest threats to a starting company. Keeping expenses down is always a sound strategy.
As well as cost, there are several other factors to consider when choosing an office such as location for employees and guests, proximity to main customers, appearance of the building and interior, local amenities, accessibility by subway and train, reputation of the location, leasing terms and the facilities. By considering what you really need and don’t need, you may find that a much more affordable office will suit your requirements more than you originally thought.
Some ideas for starting companies locating their first offices:
JETRO Business Center
You can apply for free office space within JETRO’s facilities for a short period of time – approximately 5 to 50 days. You will receive a clean, modern office able to accommodate 2 to 3 people, printer, fax, phone and internet access, access to conference and presentation rooms, a common meeting area and a general assistant to direct calls and take messages. JETRO offices are centrally located in most major Japanese cities.
Temporary Offices
There are several Temporary Office providers; Servcorp, Regus and The Executive Center being amongst the better known. Usually offices can accommodate from 1 to 5 people depending on the size you rent. They provide all business facilities, including a general secretary to direct calls and take messages. Some of them also provide a ‘virtual office’ service, where you can rent a booth like space at a considerably cheaper rate, which comes with a general secretary. The virtual office can be useful for traveling executives. The interior, furnishings and locations are of high standards; however they come with a price. Prices and term conditions can usually be negotiated with the Facility Manager though.
Permanent Offices
After a year or two, most companies are ready to expand their business and usually grow out of their initial offices. Companies begin to look for more permanent locations. A company may still have to undergo 2 and sometimes 3 more office moves depending on expansion plans so it is important to look carefully at the terms and conditions related to the leasing contract, especially in regard to who pays for renovation to original state! A 100sq/m office should accommodate 8 to 10 employees comfortably with enough space for meeting room(s). A 100sq/m office in a mid sized building in central Tokyo could cost around US$4,000 to US$7,000 per month in rent and many of them ask for a 10 to 12 month deposit. The deposit can be a substantial bill for a start up, so you might want to shop around to find offices which require no deposit or shorter terms.
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