Frequently Asked Questions
About the Service
What is jpwork hub?
jpwork hub is a matching service that connects overseas clients with professionals and specialists active in Japan (Partners).
A Client sends a "Request" describing what they need, their budget, and their desired timeline. Partners who match the conditions respond, and the Client selects a Partner to work with and finalizes the contract.
What kinds of services are supported?
We support four categories: "Business Coordinator & Guide" (investment property viewings, factory tours, VIP accompaniment, etc.), "Interpretation & Translation" (accompanying interpretation for meetings, due diligence, trade shows, etc.), "Real Estate & Living" (property search, viewing on your behalf, relocation consultations, etc.), and "VIP Shopping & Collectibles" (personal buying of rare items, accompaniment to specialty stores, etc.).
What is a Partner?
A Partner is a professional or specialist based in Japan who has been registered after passing jpwork hub's screening process. Our Partners range from licensed real estate transaction agents to experienced interpreters, attendants, and personal buying specialists across many fields.
What is a Client?
A Client is a registered jpwork hub user who sends requests to professionals in Japan.
Do I need to speak Japanese to use this service?
No, you don't need to. jpwork hub is designed for overseas clients who may not be comfortable communicating in Japanese. If you request a Partner in the "Interpretation & Translation" category, they can accompany you as an interpreter for meetings or on-site visits.
Can I use this service if I've never been to Japan?
Yes. Many of our services, such as viewing investment properties on your behalf or gathering information before relocating, can be requested without visiting Japan in person. Please consult a Partner in the "Real Estate & Living" or "Business Coordinator & Guide" category.
Can two people who both live in Japan use this service together?
Yes, you can. jpwork hub is mainly designed for clients living overseas, but we do not restrict requests between people who both live in Japan.
About Partner Reliability
How are Partners screened?
After applying for provisional registration, Partners undergo a review by our operations team before full registration is completed.
For Partners who hold a qualification — such as a National or Regional Government Licensed Guide Interpreter, a real estate transaction agent, or a secondhand dealer's license — we ask for supporting documents such as a certificate of registration or license, to help prevent impersonation. Note that none of these qualifications are required to provide our interpretation or accompaniment services themselves.
Is a Partner's real name made public?
No. A Partner's personal information, such as their real name and contact details, is not published on listing or profile pages before a contract is finalized. Only profile information such as nickname, nationality, available languages, qualifications held, service areas, plans offered, and self-introduction is made public.
Is my personal information and the content of our discussions kept confidential?
Yes. Partners sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) with jpwork hub when they complete full registration. We also automatically monitor message content to help prevent issues such as solicitation for direct off-platform dealings or harassment.
About Requests
What is a Request?
A Request is what a Client sends to Partners, specifying conditions such as what they need, their desired budget, and a response deadline.
What happens after I send a Request?
Partners who match the conditions you entered are notified, and those who are available will respond with an "application."
Among the applications received by the response deadline, you can compare profiles, choose the Partner you'd like to work with, and complete payment to finalize the contract.
What happens if no Partner matches my desired conditions?
If no applications are received by the response deadline, the Request will not be fulfilled. Please review your conditions, such as the service details, budget, or service area, and submit a new Request.
Can I request a specific Partner by name?
Not currently. When you send a Request, it's broadcast to all Partners who match your conditions, and you then choose who to work with from among those who respond.
Can I request a property viewing in Japan while I'm still overseas?
Yes. A Partner in the "Real Estate & Living" category can visit investment properties or potential relocation homes on your behalf, and report back with photos, video, and a written summary.
Can a Partner accompany me directly to a business meeting or factory tour?
Yes. A Partner in the "Business Coordinator & Guide" category can accompany you in person to business meetings, factory tours, VIP guidance, and similar on-site needs.
About Fees and Payment
How are fees determined?
The Client sets their desired budget when submitting a Request. Only Partners who are satisfied with the budget and Request details will apply, so if you're not receiving many applications, consider reviewing your budget or conditions.
What payment methods are available?
We accept credit card payments via Stripe. Once you've chosen a Partner, you'll complete the payment process on the site.
How are Partners paid?
Payments from Clients are received by jpwork hub first. After deducting our prescribed commission, we transfer the remaining amount to the Partner's registered bank account. All transfer-related procedures are managed by our operations team.
The payment process isn't working correctly.
Depending on your browser, the payment page may not display correctly. Please try a different browser, such as Google Chrome or Safari. If the issue persists, please contact us using our inquiry form.
What currency is used for payment, and are there conversion fees?
All payments are processed in Japanese Yen (JPY). USD amounts shown on the site are for reference only — your card issuer automatically converts the JPY charge to your local currency using their current exchange rate. We do not add any extra currency conversion fee on our end.
How secure is the payment process?
Payments are processed through Stripe, a globally trusted payment infrastructure. Supported cards go through additional 3D Secure authentication to reduce the risk of fraud. We never store your full card number.
Can I pay with a credit card issued overseas?
Yes. We accept credit card payments via Stripe, including cards issued outside Japan. Payments are processed in Japanese Yen (JPY), and your card issuer will automatically convert the charge to your local currency.
About the Messaging Feature
Can I exchange direct contact information with a Partner?
We ask that you refrain from exchanging personal contact information (phone number, email address, social media, etc.). Please always use jpwork hub's messaging feature to communicate with your Partner.
When can I start using the messaging feature?
Once payment is complete and the contract is finalized, the messaging feature for that Request is unlocked, allowing you to discuss details directly with your Partner. Please note that messaging is disabled once the contract is marked as completed, so be sure to finish any necessary discussion before then.
My Partner hasn't responded to my message.
Partners often handle other work alongside our Service, so a response may take some time. If you're unable to reach your Partner after a while, please contact our operations team using the inquiry form.
Are messages with my Partner automatically translated?
Messages themselves are delivered exactly as written, without automatic translation. If you're not confident communicating in Japanese, consider requesting a Partner in the "Interpretation & Translation" category, or using a translation tool alongside the messaging feature. Note that notification emails (such as payment confirmations) are automatically translated into your registered preferred language.
About Changes and Cancellations
How do I change the details of my request after the contract is finalized?
For minor adjustments, please discuss directly with your Partner via the messaging feature. If you'd like to make major changes to the request details or conditions, please contact us using the inquiry form, and we will proceed according to the procedure set out in our Terms of Service.
Can I cancel after the contract is finalized?
Cancellation is possible before the contract is marked as completed. A Client-initiated cancellation results in a partial refund with the Stripe payment processing fee (approx. 3.6%) and other actual costs deducted; a cancellation due to the Partner's own circumstances results in a full refund. If you wish to cancel, please be sure to contact our operations team using the inquiry form, in addition to notifying your Partner.
What happens if the Partner cancels due to their own circumstances?
If a Partner is unable to provide the service due to unavoidable circumstances on their end, the full matching fee will be refunded. Arranging an alternative Partner or otherwise resolving the situation in detail is, in principle, a matter for the Client and Partner to discuss directly — our operations team does not mediate or negotiate refunds on your behalf. If you're unable to reach the other party, or they are not responding in good faith, please report this to us using the inquiry form. After investigating, we may suspend the account of a party found to have acted in bad faith.
About Your Account
I'd like to change the information I registered.
Both Clients and Partners can update their registration information at any time from the profile edit screen after logging in.
How do I close my account?
You can do this from "Delete Account" on the profile edit screen. However, you won't be able to close your account if you have a request that has been paid for but not yet marked as contract completed (Clients also can't close their account while they have a request that is still open for applications). Please mark the request as contract completed or withdraw it first, then try again. If you're a Partner with a connected Stripe account, it will be automatically disconnected when you withdraw.
Is there a fee to register?
No. Registration and use of the service are free for both Clients and Partners. (We operate by deducting a commission from each Client's payment or each Partner's earnings, rather than charging a signup fee.)
What is the minimum age to register?
Clients must be at least 18 years old, and Partners must be at least 20 years old, to register.
Still have questions?
If you couldn't find the answer you were looking for, our operations team is happy to help.