What are the main steps to incorporate a company in Japan?
Incorporating a company in Japan typically involves preparing articles of incorporation, having them certified where required, depositing capital, and registering the company with the Legal Affairs Bureau. Once registered, the company receives a corporate number and can then complete tax and social insurance registrations.
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How it works
A KK requires notarisation of its articles before registration, while a GK does not require this step, which is one reason GK incorporation is often quicker. After registration, the company must separately register for national and local tax purposes and, once it has employees, for social insurance.
Commonly mixed up with
Registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau is sometimes assumed to complete all obligations at once. Tax registration and social insurance registration are separate steps handled by different authorities.
What are the main steps to incorporate a company in Japan?
| Knowledge, Tokyo | Business and finance |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Incorporating a company in Japan typically involves preparing articles of incorporation, having them certified where required, depositing capital, and registering the company with the Legal Affairs Bureau. Once registered, the company receives a corporate number and can then complete tax and social insurance registrations. |
| How it works | A KK requires notarisation of its articles before registration, while a GK does not require this step, which is one reason GK incorporation is often quicker. After registration, the company must separately register for national and local tax purposes and, once it has employees, for social insurance. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau is sometimes assumed to complete all obligations at once. Tax registration and social insurance registration are separate steps handled by different authorities. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is a Japanese address required?
- A registered address in Japan is required for the company.
- Must a representative live in Japan?
- Requirements have been eased over time, and current rules should be checked with the relevant authority.
- How long does registration take?
- Processing time varies with the Legal Affairs Bureau and the completeness of the filing.
- Is capital required in cash?
- Capital is deposited as part of incorporation, following set procedures.
- Where is official incorporation guidance published?
- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry publishes guidance for setting up a business in Japan.
Sources
More in this track
- What is the difference between a KK and a GK company in Japan?
- Should a foreign company open a branch or a subsidiary in Japan?
- When does a business have to register for Japanese consumption tax?
- How does corporate tax work for a company in Japan?
- What must an employer set up before hiring staff in Japan?
- What is Japan's qualified invoice system for consumption tax?
- What support exists for foreign companies investing in Japan?
- What should a new business know about office space in Tokyo?
- What business support does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government provide?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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