Starting Your Business in Japan

Q1: How can I set up a company in Japan?
If you are thinking about setting up your company in Japan, your should first call the JETRO Tel-Aviv office. We can set up a consultation meeting to understand the company's aims and needs and discuss which services could be provided by Jetro, in addition to registering you as a JETRO client. Once registered, JETRO Tel-Aviv in cooperation with Jetro Japan will assist you in setting up by providing our services. For detailed information regarding the process of setting up your company in Japan, please access the following link to the JETRO Global homepage: https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/

Q2: What kind of support can we get?
JETRO support consists of administrative services such as advice on market entry, industry information, regulations and incentives, temporary office space, business coordination and matching, assistance with procedural requirements, locating office space and qualified staff, facilitating PR opportunities and related matters.

Q3: What are the criteria to receive JETRO support?
 a) You are a company seeking support, not an individual.
 b) Your company's HQ is in Israel or has an active office in Israel.
 c)The company has a fair amount of credibility and financing to support future activities in Japan.                   d) Actively working towards establishment of business partnerships and setting up an office in japan.

Q4: How much does it cost to receive JETRO support?
JETRO services are basically free of charge.

Q5: Which type of company should we set up?
Types of operation in Japan are 1) Representative office 2) Branch office 3) Subsidiary company as a joint-stock corporation (Kabushiki-Kaisha) or as a limited liability company (Godo Kaisha) 4) Limited liability partnership
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/laws/section1/

Q6: What's the difference between a branch office and a subsidiary company?
Both branch and subsidiary are corporate status and are able to do business in Japan. To set up a branch is the simplest means for a foreign company to establish a base for business operations in Japan.
We'll explain the comparison between branch and subsidiary and advise you which is better for your company.
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/laws/section1/page2.html

Q7: Can we reorganize a branch office into a subsidiary?
No, you cannnot. You have to close the branch office and newly set up a subsidiary.
For details please refer to the JETRO website.
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/laws/section1/page6.html

Q8: Where (Which region) do you recommend to set up our office?
It depends which industry you are in. You can get regional information (47 Prefectures and major cities) in Japan such as information on industrial clusters, general business, lifestyle, etc., from the JETRO website.
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/region/

Q9: Can you give me an idea of start-up costs involved with setting up?
You can get this information from the JETRO website.
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/invest/setting_up/modelcase/

Q10: How long will it take to register a company?
It depends on how smoothly you can prepare the documentation for registration.
It is normally said one month for a branch and two months for a subsidiary.