FEW Meeting March, 2010 Setting Up A Business In Japan. From The Beginning Of The Story To Now

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Running your own business through the ups and downs.

Chuck Grafft, Founder of the Foreign Buyers Club

Time:

7pm

Venue:

The Wesley Center, 6-10-11 Minami Aoyama

Price:

3000 yen members 6000 yen guests

Chuck first came to Japan in 1985 with what he calls a “real job,” and expected to stay a year or two. After a year, his wife to be, Kelly, joined him and they started their life together in Kobe. Both loved their life in Japan and experiencing the Japanese culture, however, there were those niggling moments when they just wanted that Mexican bagel or particular breakfast cereal from home. They started importing these items using the personal import system and with no idea of what was to come, the foundations for FBC were laid.

Chuck will tell us about his background, the process of coming to Japan and setting up FBC. He’ll be sharing with us the tough stuff he’s faced and how he’s beaten it, including the Kobe earthquake and it’s impact on FBC. He’ll also share his personal three tips for business success in Japan. Come along to find out more about setting up a business in Japan and to learn from someone who’s been there and got the t-shirt!

Building Address:
Wesley Center
6-10-11 Minami Aoyama
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062

Directions to Wesley Center
From Shibuya Station, take Bus 1 (200 yen) to the first bus stop at Aoyama Chutobumae.  From that bus stop, turn right and walk straight up the slight incline.  (On the opposite side of the expressway, there is Monsoon Restaurant and Eneos Gas Station. )  Back to your side of the expressway, there is an open area (future road) and the Wesley Center has a low brick sign in front of the building.  (It is the 2nd building from the expressway.