Steps of Setting Up Business

Flowchart

This flowchart shows necessary steps for foreign companies to set up business in Japan.In the section of “Setting up a business”, the following steps are shown to complete before starting business operations: 1) Research, 2) Company registration, 3) Tax notices, and 4) Opening a bank account.In the section of “Obtaining visas”, the following steps are shown to take for obtaining visas before starting business operations: 1) Appointing a representative in Japan, 2) Company registration, and 3) Certificate of eligibility/Visa application.In the section of “Setting up an office”, the following steps are shown to take for setting up an office before starting business operations: 1) Temporary office rental, 2) Setting up a permanent office, and 3) Company registration.In the section of “Personnel-related matters”, the following steps are shown to take for personnel-related matters before starting business operations: 1) Hiring staff, 2) Company registration, and 3) Social insurance notices.In the section of “Setting up a place of residence”, the following steps are shown to take for setting up a place of residence before starting business operations; 1) Staying at hotels and others, and 2) Setting up a permanent housing. Setting up a company or local branch Obtaining visas Setting up an office Personnel-related affairs Setting up a place to live

JETRO supports your business in Japan

We provide consistent one-stop service for establishing a base or expanding business in Japan. See the details of support services that JETRO provides when setting up business in Japan.

Laws and Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan

JETRO provides basic information about the laws and various procedures related to setting up a business in Japan (incorporating business/visas and status of residence/taxes in Japan/human resource management/trademark and design protection systems).
Please click here for documents businesses are required to submit to authorities.
Information about trademarks and design protection matters in setting up business in Japan is available on the Japan Patent Office websiteExternal site: a new window will open.
You can also find professionals to assist at Experts Finder.

Laws & Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan
(as of November 2022)

Based on legal revision during the 2022 fiscal year, all of the items of Section1 - 4 have been updated.


Section1: Incorporating Your Business

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

(Reference)


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.

(Reference)


Section3: Taxes in Japan

(Reference)


Section4: Human Resource Management

(Reference)

(Flowchart)


Documents required to submit to authorities

JETRO provides list of documents required to submit to authorities related to setting up a business in Japan (incorporating business/visas and status of residence/taxes in Japan/human resource).


Writer :

SECTION 1.

SAKIKO AKIYAMA, Judicial Scrivener, INTRIM Scrivener Office

SECTION 2.

TETSUYA IIDA,Administrative Scrivener, In Control Legal Support Services

SECTION 3.

NAOKO SATO, Tax accountant, Sato & Akasaki Accounting Office

SECTION 4.

SATOSHI NAGAURA, Labor and Social Security Attorney, Nagaura Personnel Management Office

Editor / Publisher :

Promotion Division, Innovation Department, JETRO

Laws and Regulations on Setting Up Business in Japan Pamphlet

The pamphlet "Laws & Regulations" is available in PDF, and outlines basic information about laws, regulations and procedures related to setting up a business in Japan. It is available in 8 languages (Japanese, English, German, French, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean and Vietnamese).
You can download via the "Request Form" button below.

See the most frequently asked questions and answers about setting up business in Japan.

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Investing in Japan

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