How to set up business in Japan

Non-Japanese people can set up business in Japan by incorporate a company or open a branch of their foreign company.

Mainly, there are 2 types of companies in Japan. One is the Joint-stock Company and another is the Limited Liability Company. Non-Japanese people can incorporate and be a representative of the company.

Foreign companies can register branches in Japan. The branches must have a representative who has registration address in Japan.

Joint-stock Company

Japanese Joint-stock Company is KABUSHIKI GAISHA.

How to establish a Joint-stock Company by non-Japanese people

  • Non-Japanese people can be an incorporator and president of a company even if they are not resident in Japan.
  • The incorporators and the president of the company must prepare certificate of registration seal impression or certificate of signature.
  • Directors and Auditors shall prepare a form of identification such as copy of driving license.
  • The incorporators shall make an article of association (article of incorporation) of the company.
  • The company's constitution shall be described in the article of association such as name of the company, business purposes, capital, organization and so on.
  • The article of association must be notarized by a Japanese notary public.
  • The capital shall transfer to a bank account in Japan which is held by an incorporator or the president of the company.
  • The president shall register a company seal.

Limited Liability Company

Japanese Limited Liability Company is GODO GAISHA

How to establish a Limited Liability Company by non-Japanese people

  • Non-Japanese people can be an investor and a functional managers of a company even if they are not resident in Japan.
  • The functional manager of the company must prepare certificate of registration seal impression or certificate of signature.
  • The incorporators shall make an article of association (article of incorporation) of the company.
  • The company's constitution shall be described in the article of association such as name of the company, business purposes, capital, organization and so on.
  • The capital shall transfer to a bank account in Japan which is held by an investor or the functional manager of the company.
  • The functional manager shall register a company seal.

Registration branch in Japan for foreign company

Foreign companies can register branches in Japan.

How to register branches in Japan for foreign companies

  • The foreign company shall appoint a representative in Japan who has registration address in Japan.
  • The representative of the foreign company shall make an affidavit which describe registration matters of the company and is authorized by official of their country.
  • The representative in Japan shall register a company seal.

Fees for Incorporation

Contents Fees
(Yen) 		Tax
(Yen) 		Total
（Yen）
Joint-stock company 200,000 150,000 350,000
Limited liability company 140,000 60,000 200,000
Registration branch 210,000 90,000 300,000
  • Incorporation charges shall rise if the company has capital more than 21,428,572 yen.