Routes open in Japan
| Route | Max credits | Who qualifies | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Activate Founders | $1,000 | Self-funded, no institutional funding, live website | Apply online in the Activate console |
| Activate via a Provider | Up to $100,000 | Backed by an accelerator, VC or incubator in the Activate network | Get an organization ID from your provider |
| Keio University partnership | Up to $5,000 | Keio-affiliated SaaS startups, plus discounts and engineer consultations. Announced 2023; status unknown. | Through AWS's local team |
| AWS Generative AI Accelerator | Up to $1,000,000 | Early-stage generative AI startups, 10-week program. 2025 round closed; 2026 round not checked. Lead. | Through AWS's local team |
| Local accelerator or VC | Varies | Accepted into a local program | Apply to the program; credits follow |
| Our partner match | Same as AWS | Any stage; we suggest the best route | Use the credit check on this page |
Amounts are the maximums AWS advertises; approval is never guaranteed. Source: AWS Activate terms
Who qualifies from Japan
- Your company is usually under 10 years old and hasn't had Activate credits before.
- You have a live company website, and you sign up with an email on that domain.
- For the $100,000 tier, you're backed by an Activate Provider and haven't raised a Series B yet.
- Company in Japan: apply with it directly. Company abroad (for example a US Delaware company): apply with whichever entity owns the AWS account. No company yet: start with Founders once your website is live.
Region, latency and data rules
- Data protection law
- APPI
- Must data stay in-country?
- No general rule
- Regulator
- Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC)
What your credits buy here
A typical early-stage stack (a few small servers, a managed database, storage and traffic) costs about $600/month in ap-northeast-1, or about $660 with 10% Consumption tax paid in cash.
$1,000
1.7
months
$5,000
8.3
months
$25,000
42
months
$100,000
99
months
Estimates. Credits usually expire after 12 to 24 months, so large amounts rarely last their full length.
Startups like you
Local accelerators
Accelerators, incubators and startup programs in Japan worth asking about AWS credits.
Open Network Lab
Tokyo · Accelerator
Ask the provider
J-Startup
Tokyo · Government program
Ask the provider
Check with each program that it's a current Activate Provider before you rely on it.
Notable local investors and funds
Investors, accelerators and government funds active in Japan. If one backs you, ask whether they can give you an Activate Provider code.
Grants, non-dilutive funding and R&D tax credits
Money you can stack on top of AWS credits in Japan.
Setting up a local company
- Common startup entity
- Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) or Godo Kaisha (GK)
- Minimum share capital
- Paid-in minimum capital: 0% of income per capita (World Bank Doing Business 2020; data as of May 2019)
- Time and cost to register
- 11.15 days, 8 procedures, cost 7.5% of income per capita (Doing Business 2020; data as of May 2019, series discontinued)
Capital and registration figures are from the World Bank (Doing Business 2020 / B-READY 2025). Check the registry for current rules.
What's different in Japan
- Billing entity
- Amazon Web Services Japan G.K.
- Currency
- JPY, USD
- Tax AWS adds
- 10% JCT. Not covered by credits.
- Payments and verification
- Most international Visa and Mastercard cards work. Make sure foreign and online payments are switched on before you sign up.
Credits don't cover taxes. Source: AWS Promotional Credit terms
Paying the AWS bill from Japan
- Billed by AWS Japan in JPY with consumption tax; invoice (qualified invoice) numbers are shown on bills.
Startup scene
6
unicorns
Sakana AI ($2.64B), SmartNews ($2B), Preferred Networks ($2B), SmartHR ($1.6B), Spiber ($1.22B)
Startup sectors
Main economic sectors
Unicorn data: CB Insights, as of 2 October 2026. Sectors: CIA World Factbook.
Startup visa
Startup visa (Designated Activities, via participating municipalities/METI)
Key requirements: Up to 2 years to prepare a business; conversion to Business Manager status now needs JPY 30 million capital, 1 full-time employee and B2 Japanese (from 16 Oct 2025)
AWS events and community in Japan
Sources for Japan (14)
- 1. https://www.nedo.go.jp/activities/ZZJP_100205.html
- 2. https://sbir.nedo.go.jp/onestop-recruitment/osr-start
- 3. https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/economy/keiei_innovation/sangyokinyu/rd-zeisei.html
- 4. https://www.j-startup.go.jp/en/
- 5. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/global-infrastructure/latest/regions/aws-regions.html
- 6. https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/global-infrastructure/localzones/locations/
- 7. https://aws.amazon.com/legal/aws-contracting-party/
- 8. https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/accepted-payment-methods
- 9. https://aws.amazon.com/tax-help/japan/
- 10. https://aws.amazon.com/awscredits/
- 11. https://www.aoshearman.com/en/insights/ao-shearman-on-data/amendments-to-the-act-on-the-protection-of-personal-information-promulgated
- 12. https://aws.amazon.com/jp/blogs/startup/aws-summit-japan-2026-startup-zone-guide/
- 13. https://aws-startup-lofts.com/apj/loft/tokyo/1000
- 14. https://aws.amazon.com/events/community-day/
Research current as of 2 October 2026. Not legal or tax advice.
Questions
Is AWS Activate available in Japan?
Yes. AWS takes sign-ups from Japan, and the AWS Activate terms don't exclude it.
How much in AWS credits can a startup in Japan get?
Self-funded teams usually start with $1,000 from Activate Founders. Teams backed by an Activate Provider can get up to $200,000.
Do I need a company registered in Japan?
No. You can apply with a Japan company, a company registered abroad (for example a US Delaware company), or as an early team with a live website. Use the entity that owns the AWS account.
Do AWS credits cover Consumption tax in Japan?
No. Credits don't cover taxes, so any Consumption tax (10%) is charged to your card.
What's the closest AWS region to Japan?
ap-northeast-1 in Tokyo, inside the country. Typical latency is under 20 ms from the main cities.
Can I apply without an accelerator or VC?
Yes. Activate Founders is open to self-funded startups. A partner can also point you to other routes.
Will using a partner change how much I get?
No. The credits come from AWS on the same terms. A partner just helps you find the right route and prepare the application.
Find your best route from Japan
Answer four questions and we'll match you with a partner who knows Japan. Free, and the credits are the same as going direct.
Cloud Credits is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Amazon Web Services. AWS and AWS Activate are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Data last checked 2 October 2026; check AWS for current terms.