Start Your Business and Life in Japan Smoothly ― Comfortable Living with Corporate Housing and Furnished Rentals in Tokyo

1. Why Is Securing Housing in Japan So Difficult?

Japan is a highly attractive market for business professionals worldwide. However, many foreigners who attempt to move or expand their business to Japan face a major obstacle before they can even begin: finding a place to live.

“I finally found the perfect apartment, but just a few days after submitting my application, I received a vague rejection: ‘Unfortunately, we cannot proceed this time.’”
“Right after arriving in Japan, while busy launching my business, I had to spend every weekend shopping for furniture and appliances.”

These are not rare cases. Foreigners often face disadvantages due to language barriers, cultural differences, and the lack of a credit history in Japan. A typical example: “My visa has just been issued, I just opened a bank account, and although I registered my company, I still have no personal credit record.” As a result, many entrepreneurs lose their first few weeks to apartment hunting and upfront costs—one of the greatest stress factors when starting out in Japan.

• Strict rental screening for foreigners: Japanese rental contracts require a guarantor or guarantee company. Many guarantee companies are extremely cautious with foreign tenants, and even those with stable income may be rejected.
• High upfront costs: With Japan’s unique practices like security deposits, key money, and agent fees, tenants may need to pay 4–6 months’ rent upfront in cash—one of the highest levels globally.
• Starting from zero: Most apartments come unfurnished. For busy professionals, setting up an entire household from scratch is both time-consuming and mentally exhausting.

2. The Solution: Corporate Housing Through a Japanese Entity

The corporate housing system allows companies to rent residences on behalf of executives or employees. This smart solution enables initial costs and furnishings to be treated as business expenses, minimizing personal burdens and risks.

As long as you have a legal entity in Japan (subsidiary or branch), you can take advantage of this system. By signing the lease under the company’s name, you can bypass the usual hurdles of personal contracts.

3. Three Strong Advantages of Corporate Housing

Corporate housing offers far more than easier access to apartments—it provides unique tax and contractual benefits under Japanese law.

Advantage 1: Significant Tax Benefits by Treating Rent as a Business Expense

The most attractive feature is that the majority of the rent can be recorded as a corporate expense.

Example

For instance, if a company rents an apartment at ¥500,000 per month as executive housing, according to National Tax Agency rules, the executive’s personal share may only be a few tens of thousands of yen. The rest is paid by the company and treated as a deductible expense, resulting in major tax savings.

*The actual amount depends on factors such as property tax valuation and floor area. The above is only a general example.

Advantage 2: Smooth Contracts Without Relying on Personal Credit

Since the contract is in the company’s name, the foreign executive’s personal credit history is not a barrier. In Japan, even high earners may fail screenings if their employment is new or if the company was just established. A corporate contract eliminates such uncertainties, making the process far smoother.

Advantage 3: Access to Premium Central Tokyo Residences

With higher approval chances, upscale central Tokyo residences—previously out of reach under personal contracts—become realistic options. A safe, comfortable home is the foundation for maximizing business performance.

4. A One-Stop Solution Covering Furniture and Initial Costs

We provide a unique solution that maximizes the benefits of corporate housing while supporting every step of your new life in Japan.

• Interior and furniture costs covered as business expenses
  Our service allows not only essential furniture and appliances, but also premium interiors and fittings—normally a personal expense—to be treated as corporate expenses. Instead of settling for temporary furnished apartments, you can enjoy a true “home in Japan” with zero personal burden.
• Minimized personal upfront costs
  All initial expenses such as deposits, key money, agency fees, key changes, and fire insurance are processed as corporate costs. This relieves you from the stress of large out-of-pocket payments upon arrival.
• A structure that ensures approval
  Through our unique “sublease model” and extensive real estate network, we act as the tenant under a corporate contract, taking on the risks that worry landlords (such as rent arrears). This greatly reduces the risk of rejection for foreign tenants. In addition, we have access to a large pool of properties welcoming foreign residents, ensuring smooth proposals.

5. Simple Process to Move In

The steps from inquiry to move-in are straightforward:

1. Consultation: Tell us about your preferred area, budget, and lifestyle needs.
2. Proposal: We suggest the most suitable properties, including the use of corporate housing benefits.
3. Contract Support: We handle all paperwork and negotiations that may otherwise be complicated by language or customs.
4. Move-in Preparation: From furniture delivery to utility setup, everything is arranged.
5. Move-in: Once the keys are handed over, you can start your new life immediately.

6. Conclusion: A Comfortable Home Base Is the First Step to Success in Japan

Expanding your business and securing a home in Japan comes with challenges. But with the corporate housing system and our one-stop solution, those challenges can be overcome smartly.

You can free yourself from complicated screenings and heavy upfront costs, and focus on business from the day you arrive. That is the first—and most important—step toward success in Japan.

For Those Who Prefer Personal Contracts

If you wish to sign as an individual rather than a company, we can still help. Leveraging our strong relationships with property owners, we can support smoother screenings while arranging furniture, appliances, and interiors to your preference. We can also assist if you have difficulty finding a guarantor.

For Companies Considering Entry into Japan

If you are planning to establish a legal entity in Japan, we can also support you from company registration to corporate housing setup in a seamless process.

For details and inquiries, please feel free to contact us here.

FAQ: How Is This Different from Monthly Apartments or Serviced Apartments in Tokyo?

Q. Isn’t corporate leasing possible with monthly or serviced apartments?

A. Yes, it is possible. However, these options are typically short-term and more expensive. In addition, the National Tax Agency’s tax benefits under the corporate housing system often do not apply.
*Only leases categorized as “residential rental” qualify. Hotel-style or lodging-type properties (regulated under hotel business law) are excluded.

Q. What makes the corporate housing service different?

A. The corporate housing system allows most of the rent to be expensed by the company, reducing the executive’s share to just a fraction. It also provides access to long-term, high-end residences in central Tokyo.

Q. Who is this recommended for?

A. Monthly or serviced apartments are convenient for short-term stays, but for foreign executives establishing a company or those planning mid- to long-term business in Japan, corporate housing is far more advantageous.

Q. I don’t yet have a Japanese bank account. Can I still move in?

A. Yes. Payments can be made by credit card in Japanese yen (JPY), including overseas-issued cards, with no special procedures required.
If you plan to stay long-term, payments can later be switched to a Japanese corporate bank account.

Q. Can I rent even without long-term residency status?

A. Yes, contracts are possible as long as you pass the screening.
However, to stay in Japan for more than 90 days, you will need a proper visa. For repeated short-term stays, contracts are still possible, but long-term residence requires a valid visa.