Quote:
Originally Posted by Asakura
I'm a Martial Artist and I'd like to go to Japan to Study and Teach Martial Arts. My ultimate goal is to open my own Dojo (yes in Japan).
I'd like to know about buissness sense you might have to have. How buissness is conducted between the Japanese and Forigners wanting to start Buissnesses in Japan. Especially working with Japanese youth and children.
Sorry if the question seems compicated but it's one that has been eating at me for awile.
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Hmm... your question is a complicated one, i agree. I'm not familiar with martial arts but let me tell you what i know and see about businesses in japan in general.
There are a few factors you need to think about
:
1. Visa
Unless you have Japanese parents or grandparents, you can never become Japanese citizen. THe most you can be is Permanent Resident status. But before you get PR status, you need some kind of valid visa first - mainly issued visas are student, working, or spouse. In anyway, try to get one of them. Visa status can be changed after you come to Japan. Visit
here for more details
2. Language Skills
Do you speak Japanese? If you don't now. I suggest that you start working on your Japanese skills. THis is not only useful for your business but for sure you need to be able to speak some in your normal day to day life. People here really do not speak English and I mean, not even simple words.
3. Opening your dojo
I just had a quick look on the internet for you. Basically there are some dojos available but they seem to be full all the time. For example, the 東京武道館 (tokyo dojo)
http://www.tef.or.jp/tb/index.php has several dojos available for public rental but you have to go through a lucky draw process. That means, you can't have scheduled regular lessons. Your best bet will be to make your own dojo but that would be quite expensive not to mention that many shop owners do not rent to foreigners. My suggestion is to go into some kind of martial art association and see if there is anyone who would share the facilities with you.
4. Needs of a dojo
You should also think about who your target customers will be. There are many many dojos in Japan and you should define how you can get your customers. Personally, I think you can use your English skills to attract customers such as "Learn English while learning Karate (for example) as your business model. There is a huge market here in Japan for teaching English. Many japanese parents are willing to pay loads to put their kids into English schools etc. So, I think you have a good advantage as compared to other dojos. However, having said this, i know that there are some dojos that are using this business model already but not too many of them yet.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.
