Are you a foreign business owner seeking resources from your home country’s chamber of commerce in Japan? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Focusing more on international chambers of commerce in Japan, this article will help you understand what these chambers can do to help you grow and support your business.
- What are the Chambers of Commerce in Japan?
- What is a Chamber of Commerce Membership and why would I want one?
- How can I join a Chamber of Commerce?
- Top 5 Active Chambers of Commerce in Japan
- How can the Chambers of Commerce in Japan help me scale my business?
- How can the Chambers of Commerce in Japan contribute to the long-term success of my business?
- Final Thoughts
What are the Chambers of Commerce in Japan?
A chamber of commerce is a privately owned non-profit organization funded by its members which consist of large and small businesses. Compared to organizations such as the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) which promote trade and investment on an international scale, chambers of commerce have a relatively smaller scope.
According to the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), which was the very first chamber to be established in Japan, these organizations are regional; consist of a community of both large and small companies in every industry; are non-profit and non-political; and mirror the same structure as chambers in other countries. As of November 2023, there are currently over 80 chambers of commerce in Japan; about 50 of which are Japanese while the remaining are foreign chambers (e.g. American Chamber of Commerce in Japan).
Chambers of Commerce in Japan also hold different events open to the public such as free online seminars by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Annual British Business Awards by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Although there are different types of chambers of commerce in Japan, the difference is mainly their scope. Examples of local chambers of commerce in Japan would be the Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, and Ibaraki chambers of commerce. These local chambers cater to businesses and organizations operating within the specific geographic area they serve. A regional chamber of commerce would be significantly larger, covering a specific region or prefecture such as Kyushu or Okinawa.
Lastly, international chambers of commerce in Japan serve businesses that operate internationally. The member community of these chambers would be much more diverse with both Japanese and foreign business owners or companies.
What is a Chamber of Commerce Membership and why would I want one?
Direct Benefits of Membership
Some common benefits of joining these chambers of commerce in Japan as a member include networking opportunities, access to exclusive events, inclusion in publications, and business promotions. Benefits like these would open up new doors for you and your business. Participating in a chamber’s networking opportunities will help establish valuable connections with potential partners, clients, and industry experts. In doing so, such connections could be taken further and turned into collaborations, insights, and overall enhanced business success in the market. Exclusive events such as seminars may also reward you with education and learnings that you may implement into your business.
In addition to the standard benefits mentioned in the earlier paragraph, chambers of commerce in Japan also offer member-to-member benefits. For example, members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCCJ) are provided the CJU Update Service which provides them with a quarterly publication of The Canadian. This is helpful for its members as it serves as an informative publication that updates its members on new developments, market trends, and insights. Such information provides members with valuable knowledge to stay competitive in their respective industries.
Another example of a member-to-member benefit algeria phone number library is exclusive discount codes on certain products from members of the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Discounted products help businesses substantially cut their costs and use the saved money to invest in other resources that would help with its growth and development. Furthermore, offers like these from companies will foster a sense of community and collaboration within chambers of commerce in Japan seeing that the members can share their privileges.
How can I join a Chamber of Commerce?
If the previous paragraphs have piqued your interest in joining chambers of commerce in Japan, this section is for you! The next paragraphs will focus on the hows and about of joining a chamber of commerce in Japan so that you, too, can be part of a community that has much in store for your business.
General Requirements
- Membership Eligibility: Chambers of Commerce in Japan have no strict eligibility requirements. Membership is generally open to individuals and companies of all nationalities.
- Membership Fee: Membership fees vary widely depending on the membership type and the chamber. For example, the following table shows the different types of memberships and their fees at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ).
| Membership Type | Annual Cost (¥) |
|---|---|
| President’s Circle Package | 7,500,000 |
| Corporate Sustaining Membership | 1,800,000 |
| Company Membership | 250,000 |
| Small Company Package | 150,000 |
| Educational Institution Package | 150,000 |
| Individual Membership | 75,000 |
| Non-resident Membership | 30,000 |
| Graduate Student Membership | 24,000 |
- Required Documents: Upon preparing your application, you will likely be required to submit certain documents to confirm your identity and/or your business. Some examples of documents you may need to submit are a company registration certificate, a membership motivation composition, and some form of personal identification.
- For our readers who are still in the process of starting their business in Japan, you may be required to open a corporate bank account before obtaining a company registration certificate. In such a case, you may want to take a look at our Guide to Corporate Bank Account in Japan.
- Screening Requirements: Some chambers of commerce in Japan may conduct screening processes that involve interview/s and/or referrals.
- The general process of applying for membership in chambers of commerce in Japan includes around seven steps. However, this may change depending on how certain chambers wish to screen their applicants.
Joining Procedure
- Check Eligibility
- Double-check your chamber’s website for any specific eligibility requirements. There will usually be a choice to contact them about your eligibility, or the conditions will already be displayed on the website.
- Choose membership type
- Read into the different membership types or categories and compare their features to find out which one suits your preferences the most. Don’t forget to consider the annual fees!
- Prepare required documents
- Some chambers of commerce in Japan allow applicants to order an information package that contains more details about membership. Otherwise, a list of required documents should be readily available on the chamber’s page.
- Submit application
- Once you’ve prepared all the necessary why is instagram influencer marketing so effective? documents, it’s time to send in your application. Take note that sending your application may be done online or by post. This will also depend on which chamber you are applying for.
- Screening process
- After submitting your application, you will need to give the chamber some time to review your documents. The next step is either the result of your application (approved or denied) or an interview for the chamber to get to know you and/or your business in further detail.
- Pay membership fee
- You’re almost there! Upon the chamber’s approval of your application, you’ll need to pay the membership fee depending on which type you have selected in order to lock in your membership in the chamber.
- Attend orientation
- If you aren’t already an official member of the chamber upon paying the membership fee, it’s most likely because you need to attend an orientation session to brief you on your responsibilities. Not all chambers require this, but it’s a great way to inform you about what it really means to be a full-fledged member.
Top 5 Active Chambers of Commerce in Japan
Now that we’ve got the application process down, do you have any chambers of commerce in Japan in mind that you’d like to join? The table below provides a list of the 5 most active chambers of commerce in Japan. We have listed some of their notable members, as well as the membership types and annual fees of each for your reference. In the event that you wish to learn even more about these chambers, feel free to visit their respective websites.
If you can’t find your country’s Chamber of ch leads Commerce in Japan or if it isn’t as active as the chambers we’ve mentioned, we’ve got your back! We have a whole article about business networking in Japan, so feel free to give it a look. It doesn’t only tell you where and how to do business networking in Japan, but how to thrive at it as well!
