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Investing in Japan

How to Set Up Business in Japan

Provides an overview of the laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up a business in Japan, as well as an easy-to-follow Flowchart outlining the basic steps and a Model Case showing approximate start-up costs.

Laws & Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan

Laws & Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan Latest Update (Revise Point)

  • 2018.7.31
    Based on legal revision of the 2018 fiscal year, all of the items of Section1 - 5 are Update.
    All Section

Section1: Incorporating Your Business

Definitions and comparisons of various business operations; procedures and guidelines for establishing/registering each of these distinct operations in Japan.

  1. 1.1 Types of operation in Japan
  2. 1.2 Comparison of types of business operation
  3. 1.3 Procedures for registering establishment
  4. 1.4 Information listed in articles of incorporation of a company
  5. 1.5 Certificate on registered company information and company seal impression certificate
  6. 1.6 Notifications required after registration
  7. 1.7 Closure of branch offices or subsidiary companies
(Reference)
  1. Consultation with specialists on business establishment
  2. Procedures for establishing a representative office
  3. Consultation on opening corporate accounts

Section2: Visas and Status of Residence

Entry procedures into Japan, conditions and provisions that apply to various types of visas and working/residence statuses; the alien registration process; details concerning family members accompanying foreign nationals.

  1. 2.1 Entry procedures
  2. 2.2 Relation between visa and status of residence
  3. 2.3 Process from acquisition of Certificate of Eligibility to acquisition of visa
  4. 2.4 Types of working statuses
  5. 2.5 Temporary visitor visa and status
  6. 2.6 Reciprocal visa exemptions for temporary visitor
  7. 2.7 Resident card and residency management system
  8. 2.8 Re-entry permission
  9. 2.9 Family members accompanying working foreign nationals
  10. 2.10 Extension of period of stay and change of status of residence
  11. 2.11 Points-based preferential immigration treatment for highly skilled foreign professionals
  12. 2.12 Promoting acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs
(Reference)
  1. Consultation with specialists for procedures
  2. Flowchart of procedures for establishment of operations in Japan and acquisition of visa/status of residence

Section3: Taxes in Japan *As of June 2018

Aspects of Japan's tax systems most relevant to a foreign corporation/individual investing in Japan (emphasis on corporate tax structures, tax treaties as well as personal and consumption taxes).

  1. 3.1 Overview of Japanese corporate tax system for investment in Japan
  2. 3.2 Domestic-sourced income
  3. 3.3 Overview of corporate income taxes (corporate tax, corporate inhabitant tax, enterprise tax)
  4. 3.4 Overview of withholding income tax
  5. 3.5 Tax treaties
  6. 3.6 Overview of consumption tax
  7. 3.7 Overview of individual tax system
  8. 3.8 Other principal taxes
  9. 3.9 Other principal corporate taxation regarding international transactions
  10. 3.10 Handling of corporate, local, and consumption taxes depending on capital amount
(Reference)
Consultation with specialists on accounting and tax support

Section4: Human Resource Management

Japan's labor laws and regulations; topics include; recruitment; employment contracts; wages, working hours; work rules; workplace safety and hygiene requirements; resignation and dismissal procedures and Japan's social security, health and pension systems.

  1. 4.1 Application of laws
  2. 4.2 Recruitment
  3. 4.3 Labor contracts
  4. 4.4 Wages
  5. 4.5 Legislation on working hours, breaks and days off
  6. 4.6 Rules of Employment
  7. 4.7 Safety and hygiene
  8. 4.8 Resignation and dismissal
  9. 4.9 Japan's social security system
(Reference)
  1. Corporate benefit costs
  2. Labor unions
  3. Temporary workers
  4. Consultation with specialists on human resources
(Flowchart)
  1. Social and labor insurances procedures when setting up a company and hiring staff
  2. Annual procedures

Section5: Trademark and Design Protection Systems

Japan's trademark and design protection systems; registration validities, periods of protection as well as trademark and design registration procedures.

  1. 5.1 Legislation on trademark and design
  2. 5.2 Japan's trademark system
  3. 5.3 Validity and term of trademark registration
  4. 5.4 Cancellation of trademarks
  5. 5.5 The registration process
  6. 5.6 International registration of trademarks
  7. 5.7 Protection of designs
  8. 5.8 The registration process
  9. 5.9 International Registration of Industrial Designs
(Reference)
Consultation with specialists for intellectual property
Writer :
SECTION 1. Sakiko AKIYAMA, Judicial Scrivener, Blakemore & Mitsuki
SECTION 2. Tetsuya Iida, Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist, In Control Legal Support Services
SECTION 3. Naoko Sato, Tax accountant, Sato & Akasaki Accounting Office
SECTION 4. Satoshi NAGAURA, Social Insurance and Labor Consultant, Nagaura Personnel Management Office
SECTION 5. Tetsuo TACHIBANA, Patent Attorney, Tachibana International Patent Office
Editor / Publisher :
Invest Japan Department, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

Samples of documents businesses required to submit to authorities

Initial Cost Estimation: Model Case
[More details]

Looks at the approximate costs of establishing two types of business in Japan, including everything from obtaining visas to real estate broker fees.

Flowchart

Simple outline of the basic steps involved in setting up a business.

How to Set Up Business in Japan Q&A

Most frequently asked questions about setting up business in Japan.

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