How to Land Your First Customer in Japan:
A "Small Start" Guide

Winning your first customer in Japan is less about immediate revenue and more about creating a publishable proof point that unlocks the rest of the market. This paper lays out a low-risk path: start small, define a tight ICP and use case, run paid PoCs with clear pass/fail criteria, and convert the first 3–5 customers into references that compound credibility and velocity.