🇯🇵 Japan · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
Foreigners commonly set up a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) or the simpler Godo Kaisha (GK). Formation involves preparing articles (notarised for a KK), depositing capital and registering with the Legal Affairs Bureau, followed by tax and social-insurance filings.
Companies are incorporated by registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau (under the Ministry of Justice). The most common forms are the kabushiki kaisha (KK) and the gōdō kaisha (GK).
- The KK (joint-stock) and GK (similar to an LLC) are the two most common company types.
- Incorporation involves notarized articles (for a KK) and registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau.
- A company seal is commonly registered and used for official filings.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose the company type
The kabushiki kaisha (KK) is the traditional stock company; the gōdō kaisha (GK / LLC-style) is cheaper and faster to form. Both give limited liability.
- 2
Prepare the articles of incorporation
Draft the articles of incorporation (teikan) setting the company name, purpose, address, capital and officers, and prepare a company seal (inkan).
- 3
Notarise the articles (KK only)
For a KK the articles must be certified by a notary public; a GK does not require notarisation.
- 4
Deposit the capital
Pay the stated capital into a founder’s bank account and keep proof of payment for the registration file (capital can be as little as ¥1).
- 5
Register at the Legal Affairs Bureau
File the incorporation registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau (Hōmukyoku); on registration the company acquires legal personality and a corporate number (hōjin bangō).
- 6
Notify tax and social-insurance offices
File the incorporation notifications with the tax office (and local tax authorities), enrol in social and labour insurance, and open a corporate bank account. Foreign investors may also have reporting duties under the Foreign Exchange Act.
Checklist
- Company type chosen (KK or GK)
- Articles of incorporation (teikan) + company seal
- Notarisation of articles (KK only)
- Capital paid + proof of payment
- Legal Affairs Bureau registration → corporate number
- Tax-office incorporation notifications
- Social + labour insurance enrolment
- Corporate bank account (+ FX Act reporting if foreign)
Official authorities
- Ministry of Justice — Legal Affairs Bureau
Commercial and corporate registration.
- JETRO — Setting up business
Official guide to establishing a company in Japan.
Frequently asked questions
KK or GK — which company type?
A GK (LLC-like) is cheaper and simpler; a KK (joint-stock) has more prestige and easier fundraising. Both give limited liability.
Do I need a resident director?
A Japan-resident representative is no longer strictly required, but a local address and bank account make setup and banking much easier in practice.
How much capital do I need?
There is no meaningful legal minimum, but capital affects visa eligibility (e.g. the Business Manager visa) and credibility.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Prime Minister's Office of Japan — Official site of Japan's Prime Minister — cabinet policies, press conferences, policy statements
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Japan visa applications, overseas safety info, consular services, and diplomatic policy
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan — Residence status, work visas, permanent residency, and naturalization in Japan
- National Tax Agency (Japan) — Income tax, corporate tax, consumption tax filing and e-Tax online submission