Start with the activity
A property can look convincing in photographs while being difficult to use. List the activities it must support, the people who use it and the relationships between rooms. Separate essential requirements from preferences. That distinction helps a design team compare sites without turning every desirable feature into a fixed obligation.
Ask for the building information
Collect available plans, service information, access arrangements and the building team’s review process. Discuss what is known, what needs checking and who will check it. An interior proposal should not be used as a substitute for a property survey or specialist advice.
Separate the interior project from business establishment
International businesses should coordinate their interior plans with their wider establishment programme. JETRO publishes guidance on business setup and support in Japan. Treat that as a separate professional workstream; the design brief should state the dependencies without assuming the interior team handles company registration or immigration matters.
Further reading: JETRO — Setting Up Business in Japan ↗
Discuss your brief ↗