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Insights into Japan's Entrepreneurial Landscape

A virtual office company, Virtual Office 1, recently conducted a survey between November 4-7, 2025, targeting entrepreneurs and business owners about their ideal business districts. The survey received responses from 363 participants residing in the Kanto region of Japan. The results shed light on the preferences of various demographics, including age and gender, when it comes to selecting a business address, especially for proudly displaying it on their business cards.

Survey Overview

The survey primarily examined which special wards of Tokyo entrepreneurs prefer for their business locations. The respondents included self-employed individuals (74.9%), business executives (24.8%), and a small fraction of office workers (0.3%) from the broader Kanto area encompassing Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, and Kanagawa. The average age of participants ranged from 23 to 64, with a gender distribution of 81.8% male and 18.2% female.

Utilizing the Surveyoid platform for data collection, the survey revealed interesting insights regarding urban entrepreneurship and its nuanced trends in Japan.

Key Findings

The following represents the top three districts where respondents wish to start their business:

1. Minato Ward: 20.4%
2. Shibuya Ward: 18.2%
3. Shinjuku Ward: 15.4%

These areas are not only famous business spots but also reflect the culture and image that entrepreneurs want to embody through their addresses. For example, Shibuya and Harajuku (15.2%) was most valued for embodying the dream of a trendy business area, followed by Aoyama and Omotesando (13.8%) and Marunouchi, Otemachi, and Yurakucho (10.7%).

Gender Preferences

The survey also revealed that men slightly favored options outside the top five districts compared to women. In examining preferences for specific wards, Minato Ward was popular among both genders, while Shibuya Ward saw a notable preference among men (19.2% vs. 13.6% for women). Women, on the other hand, leaned towards areas with traditional business images, like Chiyoda Ward (16.7%) and Chuo Ward (12.1%).

Age Differences

Age demographics indicated distinct trends: 38.5% of those in their twenties favored Minato Ward, while older age groups, particularly those in their fifties and sixties, showed a preference toward areas outside the top five—indicating a focus on cost and reliability over prestige and status.

Interestingly, while Tokyo locals often preferred nearby districts emphasizing accessibility, respondents from surrounding regions favored the renowned Minato Ward for its business allure. This pattern highlights the stark contrast in attitudes between urban areas and peripheral regions.

Employment Type Considerations

Focusing on employment types, business executives were more inclined towards traditional business districts, such as Chiyoda and Chuo, whereas self-employed individuals appeared more adaptable, with many choosing areas outside the primary five wards. This reflects a shift in entrepreneurial mindset, where past concepts of established business locales are becoming less critical.

Conclusion

The results present a comprehensive look at how both geographical and sociocultural factors influence where entrepreneurs in Japan aspire to set up their businesses. Understanding these variables can help shed light on broader trends in the entrepreneurial space.

About Virtual Office 1

Virtual Office 1 operates locations in Shibuya, Chiyoda, and Hiroshima, catering to the needs of startups and freelancers. With a strong focus on providing business addresses that embody both prestige and practicality, they serve as a bridge for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to establish their image in the competitive landscape of Japanese business.

For more detailed survey results, you can view the complete article here.