Japan

Japan is one of the world’s leading business hubs, known for its strong economy, advanced infrastructure, and strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers a stable regulatory environment, a skilled workforce, and a well-developed corporate governance system, making it an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Common Business Entities in Japan

  1. Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) – The most popular corporate structure, equivalent to a corporation, offering strong credibility and limited liability.
  2. Godo Kaisha (GK) – A flexible and cost-effective option similar to an LLC, often chosen by startups and foreign companies.
  3. Branch Office – A direct extension of a foreign company, suitable for businesses that want to operate in Japan without incorporating a separate entity.
  4. Representative Office – A non-revenue-generating office used for market research and liaison activities.

Corporate Compliance and Filing Requirements

  • Company Registration – Businesses must be registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau and obtain a company seal.
  • Annual Filings – KKs and GKs must submit annual financial statements and tax filings.
  • Registered Address & Representative – Companies must maintain a registered office and appoint a local representative.
  • Corporate Governance – KKs require a board of directors or at least one director for smaller entities, while GKs operate with more management flexibility.
  • Foreign Investment Reporting – Certain industries require approval from the Bank of Japan under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA).

How We Can Assist as Your Trusted Corporate Services Partner

Navigating Japan’s corporate regulations can be complex, especially for foreign businesses unfamiliar with local requirements. Our firm provides comprehensive corporate services to ensure seamless entry and compliance in Japan.

Our Key Services Include:

Entity Formation & Business Registration – Guidance on selecting the right structure and handling all incorporation paperwork.
Registered Agent & Office Services – Providing a local registered address and compliance support.
Corporate Secretarial Services – Managing annual filings, shareholder meetings, and regulatory reporting.
Tax & Accounting Compliance – Coordinating with local tax professionals to meet Japan’s strict financial reporting requirements.
Legalization & Document Retrieval – Assisting with notarization, apostille services, and certified document retrievals.
Ongoing Compliance & Governance Support – Monitoring deadlines and ensuring businesses stay in good standing.

With our global expertise and local knowledge, we help businesses efficiently establish and maintain operations in Japan. Whether you are setting up a new entity or managing compliance for an existing company, we provide tailored solutions to meet your needs.

Let us handle the complexities so you can focus on growing your business in Japan. Contact us today to learn how we can support your expansion.

IBCF Services inJapan

Entity Formations and Foreign Registrations

Japan offers several entity structures to accommodate different business needs, with the most common being the Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) and Godo Kaisha (GK). The KK is a joint-stock company, widely recognized for its credibility and preferred by larger enterprises and foreign investors. The GK, similar to an LLC, is a more flexible and cost-effective option, commonly used by startups and small businesses. Foreign companies can also establish a Branch Office, which operates as an extension of the parent company, or a Representative Office, which is limited to non-revenue-generating activities such as market research.

The incorporation process in Japan involves several steps, including choosing a business structure, registering with the Legal Affairs Bureau, obtaining a corporate seal, and fulfilling tax and social insurance registrations. KKs and GKs must also draft and notarize Articles of Incorporation and deposit initial capital in a local bank account. The process requires strict compliance with local regulations, official documentation in Japanese, and coordination with various government agencies.

Navigating Japan’s incorporation procedures can be complex, especially for foreign businesses unfamiliar with local requirements. Our company provides comprehensive entity formation services, ensuring a smooth and compliant registration process. From choosing the right structure to handling paperwork, translation, and ongoing corporate compliance, we manage every step efficiently. Partner with us for expert guidance, local expertise, and a hassle-free entry into the Japanese market.

Registered Agent/Registered Office

In Japan, all registered entities, including Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) and Godo Kaisha (GK), must maintain a registered office address in the country, which is listed in official company records and used for receiving legal and government correspondence. The registered office must be a physical location, not a P.O. Box, and is often required during the incorporation process. Foreign companies without a local presence may find it challenging to secure a suitable address that meets regulatory requirements. Partnering with our company ensures full compliance by providing a reliable registered office service, along with mail handling and official document forwarding. Additionally, we offer corporate secretarial support to ensure your business stays in good standing with Japanese authorities. With our expertise, you can establish and maintain a legally compliant presence in Japan while focusing on your core operations.

Document Retrievals (i.e Good Standing, Certified Copy)

Obtaining corporate documents from the Japan Corporate Registry (Legal Affairs Bureau) is essential for businesses needing Good Standing Certificates, Certified Copies of Articles of Incorporation, and Corporate Registry Extracts. These documents are often required for regulatory compliance, banking, and international transactions. However, the process can be challenging due to language barriers, strict procedural requirements, and in-person application needs for certain records. Our company streamlines this process by leveraging local expertise and direct access to the registry, ensuring fast and accurate retrieval of official documents. We also provide translation and legalization services, making your documents valid for international use. Partner with us for a seamless, reliable, and fully compliant document retrieval process in Japan.

Apostilles/Legalizations

In Japan, the apostille and legalization process is crucial for businesses and individuals needing to authenticate documents for international use. As a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, Japan issues apostilles for documents such as corporate records, notarized agreements, and personal certificates, eliminating the need for further embassy legalization in member countries. For non-member countries, a consular legalization process is required, involving multiple steps with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the relevant embassy. Navigating these procedures can be time-consuming and complex, especially for foreign businesses unfamiliar with Japanese regulations. Our company provides end-to-end apostille and legalization services, ensuring fast, accurate, and hassle-free processing of your documents. With our expertise and strong local connections, we handle every step efficiently, so you can focus on your business while we take care of the paperwork.

Due Diligence Searches (i.e Lien, Judgment, Bankruptcy)

Conducting due diligence searches in Japan is essential for assessing the financial and legal standing of businesses and individuals. Common searches include court record checks for litigation history, bankruptcy filings, and liens to identify potential financial risks. However, accessing these records can be complex due to language barriers, strict privacy laws, and the need for local expertise. Our company provides comprehensive due diligence services, ensuring accurate and timely retrieval of critical information from official sources. With our deep understanding of Japanese regulations and a strong local network, we streamline the process while maintaining full compliance. Partner with us for thorough, reliable, and legally compliant searches, helping you make informed business decisions with confidence.

Compliance

Doing business in a foreign jurisdiction is time consuming enough, let alone the corporate governance and reporting that goes with it.

Partnering with IBCF as your single point of contact can assure you that your critical corporate compliance requirements are handled in a timely, expeditious and cost conscious manner.

An overview of our corporate compliance offerings include:

• Manage yearly jurisdictional compliance requirements and information
• Preparation and filing of statutory filings with corporate registry
• Maintenance of corporate information on compliance specific platform
• Due date tracking capabilities
• Maintain company shareholders and minutes
• Prepare board and/or shareholder resolutions
• Prepare and file audit documents related to corporate changes
• Prepare and file director, officer and shareholder changes
• Prepare meeting documents
• Registered Agent/Registered Office
*Availability of Services are subject to change

For additional information and pricing about our corporate compliance offerings, please contact us and a compliance specialist will contact you shortly.

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