New Member: HireWise Japan
The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) welcomes HireWise Japan to our expansive membership base. HireWise Japan offers specialised services that assist companies with their first hire in Japan.
HireWise Japan helps non-Japanese companies decide the most practical way to hire their first talent in Japan through a concise, personalised Decision Pack.
When companies consider their first hire in Japan, the question of ‘how to hire’ tends to remain under-discussed. The emphasis is often placed on ‘what role do we need?’ and ‘how do we find the right person?’ In other cases, ‘how do we localise our product?’ and ‘how do we find the right partner?’ may dominate the discussion, while the hiring route is reduced without much consideration to the one assumed option of setting up a local entity. In reality, setting up an entity is not the only possible route. It can require significant investments in time, effort and money, and may not be ideal in an early exploration phase. Other routes also exist, each with different implications for cost, speed, flexibility and compliance. Choosing the wrong route can lead to wasted effort, delayed execution, and avoidable risks.
We provide actionable decision support for companies facing this question. Through a concise personalised report, we clarify the best hiring route that prevents wrong-path effort and enables effective execution. We help clients prepare for execution not only with a clear list of next steps in the report, but also through our network of recruiters, consultants, employment service providers, and other relevant specialists.
HireWise Japan’s role is not recruitment or employment execution. Good execution relies on good decision-making. Deciding the right hiring route underpins the execution that follows. That is why we focus on getting the decision-making right, before introducing trusted partners for smooth execution. This decision support should be easily accessible for busy companies with limited resources. That is the principle behind our compact report-based approach. Filling out one simple online form allows us to prepare a concise report based on the client’s individual needs and situation. Additional questions or requests can be discussed during an optional follow-up call.
This service is designed for teams that are considering, preparing, or navigating their first hire in Japan. Typical cases include a software company hiring its first Japan-based operator for JST coverage, or a travel agency re-hiring a home-country employee in Japan as a country manager.
Whether you are an overseas company entering the Japanese market, or a Japan-based service provider, we look forward to working with you to support aspiring businesses across borders.
Meet Kenji de Montalte, Founder of HireWise Japan
'I consider joining the BCCJ as an important step in both my business and personal development. I am thrilled to be part of this vibrant community, and look forward to any opportunities to learn, contribute, and build meaningful connections.'
Why did you join the BCCJ?
I joined the BCCJ for the trusted community of British and international businesses in Japan. As HireWise Japan is still in its early stage, I wanted to be closer to companies entering or growing in the Japanese market, and to learn from the practical issues they face. I was also drawn to the BCCJ’s active events, and the warm, personalised support offered by the chamber team.
What do you most hope to gain from your time as a member?
I hope to build long-term relationships with fellow members, founders, and service providers in the community. I also hope to gain deeper insight into how British and international companies approach Japan market entry and local hiring. In particular, I would like to better understand the real decision-making process of a first Japan hire, including what triggers the need, what internal concerns arise, and where companies need external support.
What makes your organisation unique in your industry or market?
Our uniqueness stems from the focus on the hiring route decision-making, coupled with its connectivity to the subsequent execution. Hiring route advice is typically integrated into a larger offer that provides a more comprehensive and commitment-heavy service. We have carved it out into a compact, focused package to make it more affordable and easily accessible, while keeping it simple and light.
What recent achievements or milestones are you most proud of?
I am proud of turning HireWise Japan from an early concept into a clear, public-facing service. Over the last few months, I have solidified the core offer, built the basic brand assets, launched the website, and created the first pilot version. I am particularly proud of placing the service in the decision support layer, instead of recruitment or employment execution. Joining BCCJ feels like another important step in developing the product in the right community.
What kind of collaborations or connections are you most interested in building through the BCCJ?
I am especially keen to connect with two groups. The first is British and international companies that are considering, preparing, or currently navigating their first hire in Japan, particularly where external decision support may be useful. The second is Japan-based ecosystem partners, such as recruiters, consultants, employment service providers, and other related specialists, where HireWise Japan can play a complementary role.
Interested in working with HireWise Japan?
Email Kenji at: [email protected]
Or, download the sample Decision Pack here.