Field manual · Japan business systems

Get the systems right.

Practical starting points for websites, business systems, payments and team workflows in Japan. Use them to define the work before choosing a tool.

Chapters
6
Guides
8
Comparisons
9
§ 01

Websites and payments

For when customers need to find you, book and pay.

  1. Guide

    Accepting payments for a Japan business

    Your payment setup needs to work for the customer and the person reconciling the books. Begin with how you sell, then choose the methods.

  2. Comparison

    Stripe and PayPay: choose the payment flow first

    An online checkout and a payment at the counter have different requirements. Compare them against the transactions your customers need to complete.

  3. Comparison

    Webflow vs WordPress for a Japan website

    A website has to be edited, found and maintained after launch. Choose the platform that supports those jobs as well as the design.

§ 02

Customers and sales

For when leads and follow-ups live in inboxes and spreadsheets.

  1. Guide

    Choosing a CRM for a Japan SME

    A CRM should make the next customer action obvious. It will not settle an unclear sales process or make people agree on who owns a relationship.

  2. Guide

    An affordable CRM for a Japan startup

    Affordable means the team can use and maintain it. A free subscription is expensive if everyone keeps a second spreadsheet to do the real work.

  3. Comparison

    kintone vs Salesforce for a Japan business

    A custom business workflow and a sales operation are not necessarily the same problem. Define the records and decisions you need before choosing a platform.

§ 03

Team tools and communication

For when files, messages and meetings are spread across too many places.

  1. Guide

    Getting a Japan team working in Google Workspace

    Buying accounts is the easy part. Adoption means people can find the right file, share it safely and continue working when a colleague is away.

  2. Comparison

    Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 in Japan

    Start with the files, identities and relationships your business already depends on. Switching office suites changes more than email.

  3. Comparison

    Chatwork vs Slack for Japan teams

    The best chat tool is the one that helps colleagues and clients finish work without making every conversation an interruption.

  4. Comparison

    Zoom, Google Meet and Teams for Japan meetings

    The right meeting platform lets the people you need join without a rehearsal. Start with your existing accounts and your guests' constraints.

  5. Comparison

    Backlog vs Jira for Japan teams

    Choose the issue tracker your team can keep accurate. Compare one real project, including the people who approve work but rarely open a development tool.

§ 04

Accounting, invoices and records

For when the books, invoices and tax records need a reliable process.

  1. Guide

    Invoices and electronic records in a Japan business

    Your accountant needs usable records, and your team needs a process it can follow. Choose the workflow with qualified tax advice before relying on a software vendor's compliance label.

  2. Comparison

    freee vs Money Forward Cloud for a Japan business

    Choose accounting software with the person who will close your books. A system your accountant and staff can work in together beats a clean dashboard.

§ 05

Automation

For when the same information is copied between tools by hand.

  1. Comparison

    Zapier vs Make for business automation

    Compare automations on a complete workflow, including failure and recovery. A successful demo is only the first test.

§ 06

The whole stack and the people who run it

For planning the full set of systems, hiring, and who looks after it all.

  1. Guide

    A practical technology stack for a Japan SME

    Start with what the business must do: receive inquiries, deliver work, collect payment and keep accurate records. Choose software for those jobs rather than buying a list of fashionable tools.

  2. Guide

    Systems to prepare before hiring in Japan

    A new employee needs a usable first day: the right accounts, clear responsibilities and a reliable way to get paid. Prepare the operating process alongside the employment paperwork.

  3. Guide

    Fractional technology support for a Japan business

    You may need experienced technology judgment without a full-time leadership hire. Be precise about whether the gap is a decision, a project or daily support.

Appendix

Understand your existing setup.

The guides help you frame the decision. The Diagnostics turns that into a practical map of what your team already uses, where workflow handoffs are breaking, and which changes deserve attention first.

Review the Diagnostics →

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