Foreigners can also establish a company in Japan. However, the required documents may differ slightly.<\/p>\n
The key points of this article are as follows:<\/p>\n
| \u2713\u3000The method of establishing a company is the same regardless of nationality.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2713\u3000Foreigners may need a “Business Management Visa” to become business owners or managers.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2713\u3000If you do not have a seal certificate, a signature certificate can be used instead.<\/strong><\/mark><\/span><\/p>\n \u2713\u3000When depositing capital in a foreign bank, it must be a branch located within Japan.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n In this article, we have summarized the methods and required documents for foreigners to establish a company<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/mark> We also introduce the rules for submitting documents in foreign languages.<\/p>\n By knowing the procedures and necessary documents in advance, you can establish your company smoothly. Be sure to take a look.<\/p>\n The method of establishing a company is the same regardless of the nationality of the representative. However, depending on the type of residence status, even if you establish a company, you may not be able to become a business owner within Japan. Let’s look at the conditions necessary to establish and manage a company.<\/p>\n Foreigners who have the following qualifications are not subject to any restrictions regarding company establishment or becoming a business owner:<\/p>\n There are no restrictions on the type of company, so like Japanese nationals, you can establish a corporation in any preferred form.<\/p>\n On the other hand, even if you do not fall into any of the above categories, you can still establish a company. However, if you are staying in Japan with a residence status other than a “Business Management Visa,” you cannot become a business owner within Japan.<\/span> Additionally, if you are involved in the company in Japan as a branch manager or director, you will need to obtain a “Business Management Visa.”<\/strong><\/p>\n If you do not have the necessary residence status for managing a company, you will need to obtain a “Business Management Visa.” To obtain a “Business Management Visa,” you must meet the following three conditions and apply for the visa at the Immigration Bureau:<\/strong><\/p>\n Usually, you establish the company before obtaining a “Business Management Visa.” In this case, the company must be real, not virtual.<\/strong> Additionally, if the business office is at the same address as your residence, it may not be recognized as a legitimate business office, so caution is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n After securing a business office, it is required to invest at least 5 million yen as capital. If the capital is less than 5 million yen, you can substitute this requirement by employing two or more full-time employees.<\/strong> However, the employees must have one of the following qualifications:<\/span><\/p>\n When applying for a “Business Management Visa,” the stability and continuity of the business will also be verified. For example, if you rent the business office on a short-term contract, it may be judged as lacking continuity, and you might not be able to obtain the “Business Management Visa.”<\/span> Similarly, if the business plan is deemed to have low feasibility, it could be considered lacking stability and continuity.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are reports suggesting that the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager Visa may become stricter around October 2025. Although this is not confirmed information at this stage, the following points have been highlighted as potential changes:<\/p>\n \u30fbIncrease in capital requirements<\/strong> \u30fbMandatory employment of full-time staff<\/strong> \u30fbIntroduction of requirements for the manager\u2019s background and academic qualifications<\/strong> For those considering starting a business in Japan or applying for a Business Manager Visa, it is necessary to prepare on the assumption that such changes may take place.<\/p>\n For the latest information and procedures tailored to your specific situation, please feel free to contact our office.<\/p>\n Even if a foreigner is hired as a manager in a non-investing role such as a director, department head, or branch manager, a “Business Management Visa” is required.<\/strong> In addition to meeting the following requirements for the “Business Management Visa” when engaging as a business manager:<\/strong><\/p>\n The following two additional requirements must be met:<\/strong><\/p>\n You must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration. If you specialized in management or administration in graduate school, that period can also be included.<\/p>\n You must receive a salary that is comparable to or higher than that of a Japanese person performing the same duties. When applying for a “Business Management Visa,” you will need to submit documents that show your salary, such as pay slips.<\/p>\n Here are the required documents for establishing a company. These documents are the same for both Japanese and foreigners, but there are alternative documents that can be submitted as well.<\/p>\n The company registration application form can be in either Japanese or a foreign language. However, if it is prepared in a foreign language, a Japanese translation must be attached.<\/span><\/p>\n Summarize the company’s rules and regulations in the Articles of Incorporation. When establishing a joint-stock company, have the Articles of Incorporation certified by a notary public before submitting them.<\/p>\n Deposit the capital and have a financial institution issue a “Certificate of Capital Deposit.” The financial institution where the capital is deposited must be one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n If the company founder does not have an account with a Japanese bank, you may consider having a collaborator with an account at a Japanese bank become a director.<\/strong> Additionally, when depositing capital from overseas into the above-mentioned banks, documents proving the exchange rate will also be required.<\/span><\/p>\n A “Letter of Acceptance” is a document that indicates the appointment of a director of the company. However, if the founder is establishing the company, the submission of a Letter of Acceptance is not required.<\/span><\/p>\n A seal certificate of the founders and directors is required. If a seal certificate is not available, a “Signature Certificate” can be submitted instead.<\/strong> The Signature Certificate can be obtained at an embassy.<\/p>\n Submit the “Seal Registration Certificate” of the company representative. The Seal Registration Certificate can be issued by registering the company representative’s seal with the Legal Affairs Bureau.<\/p>\n Here is the procedure for establishing a company. The process is the same for both Japanese and foreigners.<\/p>\n Determine the basic matters of the company (such as business content, capital, business office, etc.). Additionally, create the company seal that will be registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau.<\/p>\n Summarize the basic matters in the Articles of Incorporation, and if it is a joint-stock company, submit it to a notary public office for certification. Since the format of the Articles of Incorporation is standardized, it can be smoothly created by consulting with a legal professional such as a judicial scrivener.<\/p>\n Deposit the capital into a bank in Japan. Do not forget to create the “Certificate of Capital Deposit” during this process.<\/strong><\/p>\n Gather all the necessary documents for establishing the company and register the company at the Legal Affairs Bureau. For a joint-stock company, if 0.7% of the capital amount is less than 150,000 yen, pay 150,000 yen; if 0.7% of the capital amount is 150,000 yen or more, pay 0.7% of the capital amount.<\/span><\/p>\n |