Smejapan Guides

Japan Company Incorporation [SMEJapan Business Guide Summary Series]

This is the first in a series of Summaries of the detailed Japan Business Guides put together by Business In Japan core partner, SMEJapan.com. The SMEJapan business guides are free resources for entrepreneurs to help them understand more about doing Business in Japan and stepping through the process of Japanese company incorporation. If you want to jump right into it, head over now and check out the dozen guide categories at their website!

Who are SMEJapan?

“Japan’s best business resource guide with more than 20 years of expertise in helping foreigners succeed in Japan”, SMEJapan provide expert Japanese business advice to both individuals and businesses. With over 20 years of experience they ensure that you’re always getting the best guidance from the top people in the entire industry.


Where to start

A Guide to Japanese Company Incorporation – check out these three important articles you will want to read and think about when incorporating in Japan first:

To work your way through the whole Guide, click through to JAPAN COMPANY INCORPORATION GUIDE at SMEJapan.com

Cost Estimate and Hanko for Japanese Company Incorporation

Corporate Numbers in Japan – Know what a corporate number is in Japan and why it is important in incorporation. Understanding the Corporate Number in Japan. Check out this sub-guide here.

Business In Japan Entities

The three main Entities in Japan are the Kakushiki Kaisha, Godo Kaisha and opening a Branch office of a foreign company in Japan. The table below is a quick overview and the full guide to the types of Japanese Business Structures is found under ‘Starting a Corporation in Japan‘.

Judging how long the process will take

The Japanese company incorporation process, once everything is prepared, can take up to a month to finish. However it can take a lot longer than you expect getting everything decided and in place before applying. Things like getting your visa, finding and securing a registered office, are critical in addition to the many other things discussed in these guides.

Japanese company incorporation

And for a detailed first person story about Japanese company incorporation and what it is like to start a Business in Japan, see the BIJ Summary: Making it in Japan: The Story of Starting a Business in Japan – it’s a great read!


This Post was written by Jason Ball, a “Fixer” and people Connector, in Tokyo and owner of the Business In Japan | LinkedIn group Founded 2/2008 | 57,000+ members as at 2019, 35%+ in Japan.

SME Japan is the No.1 English guide in Japan for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Japan, need Japanese tax and accounting services or for investors owning Japan properties. As a Business In Japan core partner, links contained in these summaries may be affiliate links.