The questions foreign entrepreneurs ask most, answered clearly. Have a question specific to your situation? Book a free consultation.
Yes. A foreigner can establish a company in Japan and own 100% of it. Foreigners who do not live in Japan can establish a Japanese company, and depending on the circumstances, there are ways to proceed with the company formation process using an overseas bank account even if you do not have a personal Japanese bank account.
The important thing is to structure everything properly from the beginning, taking into consideration your country of residence, the method of paying in the capital, the type of company, and your future visa plans.
Yes. A foreigner who is not a resident of Japan can establish a Japanese company. If you are unable to obtain a Japanese seal certificate because you are not a resident, you can proceed using documents such as a signature certificate through a Notary Public or an Affidavit.
Also, not having a personal Japanese bank account does not necessarily mean company formation is impossible — the payment of capital can be handled using a method appropriate to your circumstances.
Yes. You can establish a Japanese company without personally visiting Japan. Required documents and authentication procedures vary slightly depending on your nationality and country of residence, but methods are available for each situation.
No. Under the current general company formation system in Japan, you are not required to have a Japanese co-founder or shareholder. A foreigner can establish a company alone, and even a foreigner who does not reside in Japan can own 100% of it.
Yes. A foreign individual or overseas corporation can own all of the equity in a Japanese company. Certain business licenses may require a responsible person in Japan or a manager with specific qualifications — this does not necessarily mean giving that person ownership.
No. You can establish a company even without a Japanese visa. Company formation and having a status of residence that allows you to live in Japan and manage a business are separate matters. Many people first establish the company, prepare the business infrastructure, and then apply for a Business Manager Visa.
Yes. You can become a shareholder of a Japanese company without a Japanese visa, including owning 100% of it. However, owning a company and having the right to live or work in Japan are separate matters.
No — this is a very important point. Ownership of a Japanese company and having a status of residence that allows you to work and live in Japan are completely separate matters. Even owning 100% of the shares or being registered as Representative Director does not automatically give you the right to live or work in Japan.
It's similar to owning property in Japan: it doesn't automatically give you a visa either. To directly manage a company in Japan, you need an appropriate status of residence corresponding to your actual activities.
If you plan to move to Japan to directly operate a business, establishing the company first is often an efficient approach — particularly when preparing for a Business Manager Visa, which requires the visa application, the company, and real business infrastructure.
The general process: Company Formation → Business Premises → Employee and Business Structure Preparation → Business Plan and Other Requirements → Business Manager Visa Application. It's important to work backward from capital, office, employees, business model, licenses, banking, and visa requirements.
For incorporation alone, an employee is not required. For a Business Manager Visa application, it's a different matter: under the revised requirements effective October 16, 2025, you are required to employ at least one full-time employee, with a capital requirement of JPY 30 million or more.
The timeframe differs by company type. If all documents are ready, a Godo Kaisha (GK) generally takes approximately 2–3 weeks. A Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) requires an additional notarization procedure for its Articles of Incorporation, so the process can take around a month or longer. Documents prepared and notarized overseas may add further time.
Costs differ between a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) and a Godo Kaisha (GK), with a KK generally costing more due to the additional notarization procedure.
Contrary to a common belief, a GK isn't necessarily less credible today: Apple's Japanese entity is Apple Japan Godo Kaisha, and PwC's Japanese consulting entity is PwC Consulting Godo Kaisha — both GKs. Whether a KK or GK is more suitable depends on your business objectives, investment plans, governance structure, and costs.
Yes. An overseas company can establish a subsidiary in Japan and own 100% of its shares. This is one of the most common structures when a company is making a serious entry into the Japanese market.
Yes, after completing the necessary foreign-company registration procedures. However, a branch is not a separate Japanese legal entity — it remains part of the overseas parent company, a major difference from establishing a subsidiary.
It depends on your objectives, but many overseas companies planning to operate in Japan long-term choose a subsidiary. Some Japanese loans, subsidies, and support programs have eligibility requirements tied to the type of corporation, which can broaden the range of programs available. It's advisable to compare both structures on tax, legal liability, banking, employment, and support programs before deciding.
Yes, a company address in Japan is required. It doesn't necessarily have to be a traditional office — residential property can be registered as the company's address if conditions are suitable. The situation changes if you intend to apply for a Business Manager Visa, where an actual place of business is closely reviewed.
It's possible, but not automatically for every residential property — the lease agreement, building rules, and nature of the business need to be reviewed. The assessment also differs depending on whether you plan to apply for a Business Manager Visa afterward.
Yes, if the virtual office allows corporate registration. However, a virtual office can make it difficult to satisfy business premises requirements for a Business Manager Visa, and can be disadvantageous for a corporate bank account or licenses requiring an actual business location. We don't recommend choosing a virtual office simply for its low cost if a visa, bank account, or license is planned.
Yes, if it permits corporate registration. But registering a company at an address and satisfying visa, banking, or licensing requirements are separate matters — a standard shared coworking space may not be sufficient where an independent business space is required. It's better to confirm requirements before signing a contract.
Yes. Two or more foreigners can establish a Japanese company together, even if neither resides in Japan. With a KK, share ownership can be set as 50:50, 70:30, 90:10, and so on. A GK has a different structure but can also create differentiated rights between members depending on how the Articles of Incorporation are designed. The right structure depends on each founder's investment and how you want the company to operate.
Yes. A foreigner who does not reside in Japan can be appointed as a director. However, being registered as a director and entering Japan to actually perform work are separate matters, so visa requirements may need to be considered depending on your actual activities.
Yes. Japanese nationality is not a requirement for becoming Representative Director. However, being registered as such does not itself automatically grant a visa or the right to live and work in Japan.
For general company formation, the Representative Director does not necessarily need to be a resident of Japan. However, actual business operations, corporate bank accounts, or certain licenses may require a resident or responsible person in Japan.
For a standard Kabushiki Kaisha without a board of directors, the company can generally be established with just one director. If the company later establishes a board or adopts a different governance structure, the required number will change accordingly.
Completing corporate registration does not mean the work is finished — preparation for actually operating the company begins after. The general sequence: Company Formation → Tax Filings and Notifications → Social Insurance & Labor Insurance → Corporate Bank Account → Payroll System → Business Licenses & Permits → Employee Hiring → Visa → Actual Business Operations.
For foreign entrepreneurs in particular, discovering visa, office, or licensing requirements weren't satisfied only after incorporating can result in additional time and cost. It's important to treat the whole process as one integrated project, structured correctly from the beginning.
Yes. Even under Temporary Visitor status, you can proceed with company formation and become a shareholder. However, establishing or owning a company and actually working and managing a business in Japan are separate matters — Temporary Visitor status doesn't allow you to continuously manage a company or perform paid work. An appropriate status of residence is needed to actually manage a business.
Yes, an international student can own shares in a Japanese company. However, owning a company and operating it are separate matters — a Student status's primary purpose is studying, and actively managing a company may fall outside its scope, requiring a change of status.
Yes, you can own shares in a Japanese company under Dependent status. However, this status is not primarily intended for managing a company, and the commonly mentioned "28 hours per week" rule is not automatic — you must separately obtain permission to engage in activity outside the scope originally granted.
Yes, you can own shares in a Japanese company while holding a work-related status. However, holding an ownership interest as an investor and directly managing the company are separate matters — work-related statuses have defined scopes of permitted activities, and management activities outside that scope may require a change of status or additional permission.
Foreigners who do not live in Japan can establish a Japanese company as long as the necessary documents are properly prepared. For overseas residents who cannot obtain a Japanese seal certificate, an Affidavit and documents authenticated through a Notary Public can be used.
The important point is not simply having something notarized, but knowing exactly what information needs to be included, in what format, and how it should be authenticated — since notarization systems differ by country. We review your nationality and country of residence to guide you on the required documents and process.