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Launch Blueprint
asia pacific

Incorporate a Startup in JapanKabushiki Kaisha (KK)

World’s 3rd-largest economy. JETRO support and J-Startup visa program for foreign founders.

Key incorporation facts for Japan

Time to incorporate
3 - 5 weeks
Estimated setup cost
¥240,000 - ¥500,000
Corporate tax rate
~30% (effective)
Ease of remote setup
Limited
Annual compliance: Houmukyoku filing + corporate tax + consumption tax + social insurance \u00b7 Currency: JPY \u00b7 7 required materials / 15 total

10-step launch checklist

From pre-launch name reservation through first annual filing.

  1. 01
    Decide entity (KK vs GK / Godo Kaisha)
    Pre-Launch
  2. 02
    Reserve company name and confirm registered office
    Pre-Launch
  3. 03
    Draft and notarize Teikan (articles)
    Incorporation
  4. 04
    Deposit capital and obtain bank confirmation
    Banking
  5. 05
    File registration with Houmukyoku
    Incorporation
  6. 06
    Register representative director seal
    Incorporation
  7. 07
    Notify NTA + local tax offices
    Tax
  8. 08
    Enroll in Shakai Hoken (social insurance)
    Operations
  9. 09
    Apply for Business Manager Visa (foreign founders)
    Operations
  10. 10
    File first annual blue-form corporate tax return
    Compliance

Legal & Incorporation

Notarized articles + Houmukyoku (Legal Affairs Bureau) registration.

Articles of Incorporation (Teikan)

DOCX

Standard articles for a Kabushiki Kaisha - must be notarized.

templateREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Houmukyoku Registration

PORTAL

Legal Affairs Bureau registration - final step of incorporation.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Founder Shareholders Agreement

DOCX

Japanese-style founder/investor agreement (kabunushi-kan keiyaku).

templateREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Representative Director Seal Registration

PORTAL

Inkan-touroku - registered seal is legally binding signature in Japan.

formREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Tax & Banking

NTA, prefectural / municipal tax, and Japanese banking.

NTA Corporate Tax Registration

PORTAL

National Tax Agency notification within 2 months of incorporation.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Consumption Tax Registration

PORTAL

Mandatory above ¥10M sales; voluntary registration enables input credits.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Social Insurance (Shakai Hoken)

PORTAL

Mandatory for any KK with employees - health, pension, employment, workers comp.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

GMO Aozora / Sumishin Net Bank

LINK

Internet banks that accept foreign founders without a local director.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Regulatory & Licenses

APPI privacy law, FSA fintech licensing, Japan AI guidelines.

APPI Compliance Guide

PORTAL

Act on the Protection of Personal Information - amended 2022.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

FSA Fintech Hub

PORTAL

Financial Services Agency innovation hub for funds transfer, crypto, lending.

guideOpen resource \u2192

METI AI Guidelines for Business

PORTAL

Voluntary AI governance guidelines from Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Local Infrastructure

JETRO, J-Startup visa, accelerators.

JETRO Business Support

PORTAL

Free incorporation + business consulting for foreign companies entering Japan.

guideOpen resource \u2192

J-Startup Program

PORTAL

Government-backed accelerator for top Japanese startups.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Stripe Japan / GMO Payments

PORTAL

Card acquiring + Konbini and bank-transfer methods popular in Japan.

guideOpen resource \u2192

WeWork Tokyo / Plug and Play

PORTAL

Coworking + corporate accelerator network across Tokyo and Osaka.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to incorporate in Japan?
Setup typically costs ¥240,000 - ¥500,000, with a ~30% (effective) corporate tax rate.
How long does it take to incorporate in Japan?
Incorporation usually completes in 3 - 5 weeks.
Can I incorporate remotely in Japan?
Japan typically requires some in-person steps or a local agent.
What annual compliance applies to a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK)?
Houmukyoku filing + corporate tax + consumption tax + social insurance

Ready to incorporate?

Open the interactive launch blueprint for Japan: track your progress, compare with other jurisdictions, ask the AI Launch Copilot, and download a personalised PDF plan.

Open Interactive Blueprint