Find the Right Experts for Your Company Incorporation in Japan

Under Japanese law, only the company founder (originator) or a licensed professional authorized by law can file an incorporation application. This means that you may handle the incorporation process yourself with professional consulting support if needed. Alternatively, you may delegate this task to a SHI-HO-SHO-SHI, a licensed professional specializing in commercial registration, or appoint a CPA to act as your agent.

Establishing a new business in Japan can be a complex process. To enable you to focus on your business, we provide comprehensive support for incorporation procedures. We offer expertise in company incorporation and provide critical assistance before and after your company's establishment.

Common challenges with incorporation in Japan

The Japanese Language Barrier

The most significant challenge when incorporating a company in Japan is the language barrier. English-language resources on the incorporation process are scarce. Furthermore, applying for and obtaining a corporate certificate requires visits to a notary public office and the Ministry of Justice Legal Affairs Bureau. The entire process involves extensive Japanese-language documentation and requires knowledge of Japanese corporate law.

Corporate Seal (Hanko) and Affidavit

Another key challenge is obtaining and registering a corporate seal ("inkan" or "hanko"). Japanese companies typically use three types of seals:

• Registered seal (Jitsuin) – Used for official documents such as contracts and must be registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
• Square seal (Kakuin) – Typically used for invoices and receipts.
• Bank seal (Ginkōin) – Traditionally registered with a bank and used exclusively for banking transactions.

To simplify management and enhance security, many companies now use their registered seal (Jitsuin) as their bank seal instead of maintaining a separate one. We recommend this approach as a practical measure to streamline administrative processes while ensuring proper seal management.
Company incorporators must also register their personal seal and obtain an official seal certificate. However, non-residents of Japan must provide a signature certification affidavit since they cannot obtain a seal certificate.

Capital Requirements and Head Office Location

While the minimum capital requirement is just JPY 1, the recommended amount varies depending on specific needs, such as bank account opening, work visa approval, and post-incorporation tax planning.

As for the head office location, companies may use a virtual office for mail reception. However, an office lease agreement—whether for a physical or virtual office—can only be signed after the company is officially established. Additionally, the choice of head office location is important, as it determines the tax office where corporate tax returns must be filed, and certain areas may be more favorable for business operations.

Our Value

As a licensed CPA in Japan, we specialize in assisting foreign businesses with company incorporation. We prepare all necessary application documents and act as your agent to manage the entire incorporation process, allowing you to focus on critical business matters such as hiring personnel, securing financing, and making strategic investment decisions.

Beyond incorporation, we provide expert consulting services to help you understand and adapt to Japanese business culture. Our goal is to streamline the incorporation process and guide you through the crucial initial steps of establishing and operating your business in Japan.

Leveraging our expertise and experience, we also assist with securing a physical office, financial planning, tax compliance, and financial reporting. Our firm offers a comprehensive, one-stop solution to navigate Japan’s complex business environment, enabling you to concentrate on business growth and operations with confidence.

With our extensive knowledge and professional support, we are committed to helping you successfully establish and expand your business in Japan.

Incorporation Procedures