FOR ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE JAPAN
First branch, First step.
From the first Japanese page to a team that runs on its own, we work alongside you, step by step, until you can carry it forward yourselves.
Free to apply. Nothing is published without your approval.
What you get
For nonprofits, companies and other organizations outside Japan that want people in Japan to understand their work, reach them, and take part.
Explain who you are, in Japanese
Translation alone rarely tells people in Japan why your work matters or how to join it. We write a Japanese explanation from your own materials: your purpose, what you actually do, who it is for and how people can take part.
Before anything goes live, you receive an English version of the same text, so your headquarters can check every fact and approve the wording.
Give people in Japan a way to reach you
A Japanese inquiry form and FAQ answer the questions people ask first. An AI assistant replies only within content you have approved, and passes anything new or sensitive to your team.
When you need a person to reply, a Japanese-speaking staff member can handle email for you within agreed hours (Standard and above).
Keep your headquarters in the loop
Inquiries are forwarded to your headquarters by email, in English. Short updates show what people in Japan are asking and which answers could be added to the FAQ.
Decisions stay with you. We record how things are handled, so your team can understand the situation and choose its next step: continue with us, take it in-house or hand it to someone else.
A person, not just a tool. We work alongside you until you can run your Japan activities yourselves. The website, form, FAQ and AI are there to support that work, not to replace it.
AI guidance and HQ forwarding start from Starter. The free introduction is a simple page only.
What a free introduction looks like
A short Japanese page on HIUP's introduction listing. It covers your overview, activities, a photo and a link to your official website.
- Written in Japanese by HIUP from your materials
- You review an English version before anything goes live
- Visitors are directed to your official website
- It does not include a dedicated site, inquiry handling or AI assistant
ハーバーライト・ラーニング（架空）
地域の図書館と協力し、大人向けの読み書き講座をオンラインと対面で開いている団体です。
公式サイトを見る（英語） ↗
From a first introduction to your own Japan branch
Most organizations do not need everything at once. Start where you are, move forward when it helps, and stop at any stage. By “branch” we mean a working base of people and routines in Japan, not a legal entity.
- 01 · FreeBe introducedA Japanese introduction page lets people in Japan find and understand you for the first time.
- 02 · StarterOpen your Japan baseYour own Japanese site, inquiry form and FAQ, connected to your headquarters.
- 03 · StandardRespond with peopleA Japanese-speaking person replies, checks with HQ and writes down how to handle each case.
- 04 · PlusBuild your first branchA Japan-side lead plans activities, coordinates people and partners, and forms your team.
- 05 · Your teamRun it yourselvesRoutines, records and handover notes stay with you, so your team can carry on.
Who you'll work with
Sho Asai
Representative, HIUP LLC · Kawasaki, Japan
Running activities on the ground in Japan
For about 11 years, from its early days, Sho was involved with KIF Japan, the Japan organization of an international nonprofit headquartered in Los Angeles, eventually serving as its Secretary General. His work included:
- Recruiting and interviewing volunteers and assigning roles
- Working with 90+ volunteers on Discovery Tours across Japan
- Coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, chapters and local partners
- Scheduling, flight arrangements, event preparation and on-site operations
- Japan-side headquarters functions, meetings and website management
Responsibilities as described by Sho. KIF Japan's achievements as a whole belong to the many people involved.
Building the tools ourselves
HIUP is a certified Brevo Master Partner. We publish Japanese-language information about Brevo and support Japanese teams with setup and operations. We build websites, forms and AI tools in-house, so the person who understands your situation is also the one who sets things up.
KIF Japan and Brevo are Sho's and HIUP's own experience. They are not client cases of this service.
Sources
KIF Japan — event report, June 10, 2023 (Japanese) ↗KIF Japan — organization profile (Japanese) ↗Brevo Navi — Japanese Brevo information by HIUP ↗[Brevo partner directory URL — to be confirmed]Plans
Start free. Move to a paid plan only if and when it helps. Prices in Japanese yen; [tax treatment, contract term and payment method to be confirmed].
Free
¥0
Be introduced in Japanese.
- A simple page on HIUP's introduction listing
- Overview, activities, one photo and your official link
- Private preview and English check copy
- Published only after your approval
Not included: a dedicated website, inquiry handling on your behalf, AI assistant.
Request a free introductionStarter
¥10,000 / month
No setup fee
Open your own Japan base.
- Initial interview and design
- A Japanese website built from your materials
- Standard inquiry form and FAQ
- AI first-line guidance within approved content
- Inquiries forwarded to your HQ by email
- Short updates on what people are asking
Good to know: replies to inquiries come from your team. Monthly update scope [to be confirmed].
Ask about StarterStandard
¥100,000 / month
Setup fee [to be confirmed]
Respond to people in Japan with a person.
- Email replies in Japanese by a Japanese-speaking staff member
- Checking with your HQ before replying on new topics
- Written response procedures and manuals
- Regular reports on inquiries, in English
- Video calls available as a separate option
Good to know: support within monthly hours agreed in advance [to be confirmed]. Whether Starter items are included [to be confirmed].
Talk to us about StandardPlus
¥250,000 / month
Setup fee [to be confirmed]
Build your first branch in Japan.
- A Japan-side lead who moves your activities forward
- Activity plan, roles, team size and budget design
- Coordination with your HQ, partners and local people
- Managing progress with your members in Japan
- Standard routines and handover documents
Quoted separately: recruiting, staff pay, event and travel costs, professional services. Monthly hours [to be confirmed].
Talk to us about PlusNo plan includes unlimited support. Paid plans are optional and can be changed as your activities grow.
Options, when you need them
Not every organization needs these. Each option is discussed case by case and quoted separately from your monthly plan. We cannot guarantee sponsorship, participants or staffing.
Event planning and operation
When a seminar, workshop or community event would help people in Japan experience your work, we plan it with you: the purpose, schedule, venue, speakers, announcements and registration, and the day itself.
Afterwards you receive a short report on what happened and what people said, to decide whether and how to continue.
Working with partner companies
Local companies sometimes want to support activities that their customers or communities care about. We help you find where your goals overlap, approach potential partners, and agree on roles such as venues, speakers or in-kind support.
We keep your organization's funds, partner contributions and our fees clearly separate.
Building your Japan team
As activities grow, someone in Japan needs to own them. We help you decide what roles you need, how volunteers or staff will work together, and how meetings, records and decisions will run.
The goal is a team that can keep going without us, with routines and handover notes in your hands.
FAQ
What does the free introduction include?
A simple Japanese page on our listing with your overview, activities, a photo and your official link. Inquiry handling, AI guidance and a dedicated site are not included.
Do we have to move to a paid plan?
No. Paid plans are optional.
Can we communicate in English?
Yes. All communication with your headquarters is in English, by email.
Will anything be published without our approval?
No. You review a private preview first. Submitting the form does not publish anything.
How is the free page different from a Starter website?
The free page is a short introduction on HIUP's listing. Starter gives you your own Japanese site with a form, FAQ, AI guidance and forwarding to your HQ.
Is a “Japan branch” a legal entity? Do you set one up?
No. By branch we mean a working base of people and routines. Company registration, visas, tax and legal matters need licensed professionals, and a legal entity is not required to start with this service.
Can you guarantee members, visitors or donations?
No. We make it easier for people in Japan to understand you and reach you, but we cannot guarantee results.
Request a free introduction
Takes about two minutes. We reply by email in English. Interested in paid support? Use the same form and choose your interest.
- Submitting is not approval to publish
- Submitting does not create a contract
- Photos and detailed texts come later