Procedures for Japan company set up typically evolve with:

i) company name check at the Legal Affairs Bureau prior;

ii) preparation of articles of incorporation, including appointment of directors, shareholders, company representatives and auditors;

iii) arranging notarization of these documents by a Japanese notary public;

iv) registering the company seal; and

v) submitting a company registration application to the Legal Affairs Bureau to complete formalities.

Approximately four weeks later, the government issues a Certificate of Registration and a company seal registration certificate, confirming that the set up is complete.

The application for Japan company set up is filed with the Legal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice, usually through a Japan-based professional corporate services firm. This firm will legally incorporate your company and act as the Japan-resident representative, company secretary and registered office, assist your firm to fulfill your statutory legal obligations in Japan and apply for employment visas for foreign staff following the Japan company set up.

Most entrepreneurs use a corporate services firm to handle all Japan company set up formalities, including arranging for translation of corporate documents and liaising with regulatory authorities in Japan. That said, the World Bank ranks Japan as the world’s 18th easiest place to do business in its 2011 Doing Business survey. Furthermore, only an estimated 93,000 people in Japan speak English fluently, thereby highlighting the language issues.

Most Japanese companies do not require a business license, with the exception of financial services and insurance companies. Sectors restricted for foreign investment include agriculture, forestry, fisheries and mining.

For more detailed information on Japan company set up, purchase our Asia Business Setup book, contact email@healyconsultants.com or call us in Tokyo at +81 345 801 776.