Set up a company in Japan

Company establishment in Japan for Taiwanese entrepreneurs, Japanese corporate registration, and Japanese branch office applications

Want to set up a company in Japan?

We offer comprehensive one‑stop support for setting up a company in Japan

In recent years, an increasing number of Taiwanese companies and entrepreneurs have chosen to expand their business operations into Japan. Whether establishing a Japanese subsidiary, setting up a branch office, applying for a Business Manager Visa, or entering the Japanese market, all require compliance with Japanese laws and the completion of company‑formation procedures and related administrative processes.

Our firm specializes in assisting Taiwanese clients with company establishment in Japan, including Japanese corporation registration, branch office setup, Business Manager Visa applications, as well as accounting, taxation, and labor management services. A team of licensed Japanese professionals—judicial scriveners, administrative scriveners, tax accountants, and social insurance labor consultants—provides comprehensive support to ensure the successful completion of all procedures required for starting and sustaining long‑term business operations in Japan.

Why Establish a Company in Japan?

Japan offers a mature market environment, a well‑established legal framework, and a high level of commercial credibility, making it a preferred destination for many Taiwanese companies seeking overseas expansion.

Common Purposes for Establishing a Company in Japan
  • Expanding into the Japanese market
  • Operating cross‑border e‑commerce
  • Creating a Japan‑based brand
  • Engaging in import and export trade in Japan
  • Launching food & beverage, beauty, or retail businesses in Japan
  • Investing in Japanese real estate
  • Applying for the Japanese Business Manager Visa
  • Establishing a Japanese subsidiary or branch office

Can Taiwanese citizens establish a company in Japan?

Yes. Foreign nationals — including individuals with Taiwanese nationality — may establish a company in Japan, and Japanese nationality is not required.

Common Structures for Establishing a Business in Japan:
  •  Japanese Joint‑Stock Corporation
  •  Japanese Limited Liability Company
  •  Japanese Branch Office
  •  Japanese Subsidiary

The most suitable company structure should be determined through a comprehensive assessment of shareholder composition, business model, future plans for applying for the Japanese Business Manager Visa, and overall tax planning.

Japanese Company Type Comparison

Japanese Joint‑Stock Corporation

The Japanese Joint‑Stock Corporation is the most common corporate structure in Japan, offering stronger corporate image and higher commercial credibility. It is well‑suited for businesses seeking long‑term operations, partnerships with large enterprises, or future expansion of their business scale.

Suitable for:
  • Establishing a Japanese subsidiary for Taiwan‑based companies
  • Operating a Japan‑based brand
  • Raising external capital
  • Long‑term business development

Japanese Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Establishing a Japanese Limited Liability Company involves a simpler procedure, as notarization of the articles of incorporation is not required. This results in lower setup costs, making it a suitable option for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs.

Suitable for:
  • Individual entrepreneurship
  • Consulting businesses
  • Small‑scale trading companies
  • Initial testing of the Japanese market

Japan Company Establishment Process

In general, the process of establishing a company in Japan includes:
  • Filing business activities and industry classification (Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act)
  • Preparing the registered office address
  • Confirming the company name and business scope
  • Drafting and notarizing the articles of incorporation
  • Depositing the capital
  • Creating the company seal
  • Submitting the company registration application
  • Obtaining the company seal certificate and the Certificate of Registered Matters
  • Submitting tax, social insurance, and labor-related notifications
  • Applying for a corporate bank account
  • Applying for the Japanese Business Manager Visa (if required)

If all documents are complete, company registration generally takes around 3 to 5 weeks. The actual timeline may vary depending on the specifics of the case and the processing speed of the competent authorities.

How much capital is required to establish a company in Japan?

Under Japan’s Companies Act, a company may be established with a minimum capital of just 1 yen.
However, the actual amount of capital to be injected should be determined based on the business activities, company scale, banking requirements, and future plans.
If there is a need to apply for the Japan Business Manager Visa, capital planning must follow the latest regulations of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and the specifics of each case. A professional assessment is recommended before establishing the company.

Japan Business Manager Visa and Company Establishment

Many clients establish a company in Japan with the goal of obtaining the Japan Business Manager Visa.
Company establishment is only the first step; the business must subsequently meet the Immigration Services Agency’s requirements regarding business operations, business plans, office facilities, and actual management performance.
In addition to assisting with company establishment, our firm also provides:
  • Business Manager Visa applications
  • Visa renewals
  • Accounting services in Japan
  • Corporate tax filing in Japan
  • Labor management in Japan
  • Annual maintenance for Japanese corporations
  • We support businesses in establishing operational systems that comply with Japanese laws and visa examination requirements.

Why Choose Us?

Unlike ordinary service providers that only handle company registration, we integrate professionals across various fields in Japan—including judicial scriveners, administrative scriveners, tax accountants, and social insurance labor consultants—to offer one‑stop advisory services covering company establishment, visa applications, accounting and taxation, and labor management.
We are familiar with the investment and operational needs of Taiwanese enterprises entering the Japanese market, and can assist clients in handling administrative procedures in both Chinese and Japanese. This reduces cross‑border communication costs and enables businesses to expand into Japan with greater confidence.
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