🇯🇵 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.
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