■ Hero Section
Entering Japan is not difficult. Getting it wrong is.
Japan is one of the largest and most attractive markets in the world.
Yet many global companies struggle — not because of the opportunity,
but because of misalignment in strategy and execution.
We help you enter Japan with clarity, structure, and speed.
■ The Problem
Most companies don’t fail because of the market.
They fail because of how they enter.
Common mistakes include:
- Misunderstanding how Japanese customers actually buy
- Over-reliance on direct sales without a partner strategy
- Hiring too early or too late
- Failing to secure early adopter customers
- Misaligned GTM between HQ strategy and local execution
These mistakes are expensive — and often difficult to recover from.
■ The Solution
Japan Market Entry Advisory
We help you align:
- Assumptions
- Strategy
- Execution
So you can move forward with confidence.
■ What We Do
We work hands-on with leadership teams to support:
1. GTM Strategy Design
- Market segmentation and positioning
- Target customer definition
- Channel strategy (direct vs partner)
- Pricing and packaging considerations
2. Early Adopter Development
- Identifying initial target accounts
- Structuring early customer acquisition
- Building feedback loops into GTM and product
3. Partner Strategy & Development
- Partner model design
- Identification of key partners
- Support in partner engagement and deal development
4. Hiring Support
- Defining key roles for Japan
- Hiring strategy and sequencing
- Support in evaluating early hires
■ Why Us
This is not theoretical consulting.
Susumu Kitagawa has spent over 30 years in enterprise IT and SaaS, building and scaling Japan operations for global companies.
- Scaled a Japan team from 3 to 25 employees
- Delivered 10x revenue growth in a market expansion phase
- Led partner-driven GTM with leading Japanese resellers
- Worked directly on enterprise deals and execution
He has seen both success and failure in Japan market entry.
That’s why the focus is on what actually works — in real execution, not theory.
Led by Susumu Kitagawa (CEO, Bay Area Networks) Check the bio link
Every engagement is personally led by him — from defining strategy to driving execution on the ground.
■ About
Susumu Kitagawa is the Founder and CEO of Bay Area Networks, supporting global SaaS companies entering and scaling in the Japan market.
He has over 30 years of experience in enterprise IT and SaaS, including building and scaling Japan operations and leading partner-driven go-to-market strategies.
→ View Full Bio
■ Engagement Model
Step 1: GTM Design (Entry Engagement)
- Duration: 4–6 weeks
- Fixed fee: JPY 3,000,000
Step 2: Ongoing Advisory
- Monthly fee: JPY 1,000,000 / month
- Minimum commitment: 6 months
Step 3: Success Fee (Optional)
- Partner agreement: JPY 500,000 per partner
- Revenue-based: 3% of first-year revenue
■ Who This Is For
- Global SaaS companies planning to enter Japan
- Companies in early-stage Japan expansion (0 → 1)
- Leadership teams seeking practical, execution-focused support
■ What You Get
- Clear decision-making structure
- Faster market entry with fewer mistakes
- Practical, real-world execution support
- Reduced risk in a high-investment market
■ Key Message
We don’t provide answers. We help you validate your decisions.
■ Call to Action
Start with GTM Design.
If you’re considering entering Japan,
let’s structure your approach first.
Contact Us
Schedule a Call
■ Closing
Entering Japan is a significant investment.
The cost of getting it wrong is far greater than the cost of doing it right.
We help you get it right.