Permits and Licenses for Foreign Business Owners in Japan
Starting a company in Japan does not always mean that you can immediately start every type of business. Depending on your business activity, permits, licenses, registrations or notifications may be required before operations begin.
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Company registration and business permits are separate issues
Even after you register a company in Japan, you may still need to check whether your business requires a permit, license, registration or notification before starting operations.
For foreign business owners, this is not only a business compliance issue. If your business activity requires a permit or license, the status of that permit may also help explain the legality, feasibility and actual operation of your business when applying for or renewing a Business Manager status of residence.
Common permits and licenses foreign business owners should check
The required procedure depends on the type of business, location, size of operation, products or services, and transaction structure. The following are common examples that foreign business owners often need to check before starting business in Japan.
Restaurants, cafes, takeout businesses and food sales may require food-related business permits or notifications.
Used car export, resale, purchase and sale of secondhand goods, and online secondhand transactions may require a secondhand dealer permit.
Construction businesses may need to check whether a construction business permit is required depending on the type and scale of work.
Hotels, inns, private lodging and real-estate-based accommodation businesses may require checks under accommodation-related regulations.
Industrial waste collection, recycling, demolition and scrap-related businesses may require multiple permits or registrations.
Depending on the products handled, trade businesses may need to check domestic permits, product regulations and import/export restrictions.
Relationship with the Business Manager visa
For the Business Manager status of residence, immigration authorities may review the business activity, office, capital, business plan, continuity and actual operation of the business. If your business requires a permit or license, the permit status may become an important part of explaining the legality and feasibility of the business.
If you are preparing for a Business Manager visa, it is important to review company setup, business plan, permits, office, capital and Japanese-language support system together.
How Tommy’s Legal Service can support you
- We review your business activity and identify possible permits or licenses that may be required.
- We support administrative procedures within the scope of a Gyoseishoshi, such as restaurant permits, secondhand dealer permits and construction business permit checks.
- We review the relationship between business permits, company setup and Business Manager status of residence.
- We check company documents, office or shop documents, business plans and contracts required for administrative procedures.
- Where necessary, we coordinate with other professionals such as tax accountants, judicial scriveners, social insurance and labor consultants, and attorneys.
Procedures that may require other licensed professionals
Not all procedures can be handled by a Gyoseishoshi alone. Company registration, tax, labor management, social insurance, disputes, litigation and legal conflicts may require other licensed professionals.
Documents helpful for consultation
- Company registration certificate
- Articles of incorporation
- Business plan
- Office or shop lease agreement
- Description of planned business activity, products and services
- Residence card and passport of the representative
- Current or planned status of residence
- Copies of permits, licenses or notifications already obtained
- Information on suppliers, customers and business partners
- Website, SNS and advertising materials
Consultation flow
Inquiry and business outline
Tell us the activity, business location, company setup status, current immigration status and intended opening date.
Scope and quotation
We clarify permit and immigration work separately, identify any need for other licensed professionals, and explain fees, expenses and responsibilities.
Agreement and initial payment
We begin after agreement on the scope and fees, confirmation of the engagement and the agreed initial payment. Fixed professional fees normally use a 50% retainer.
Detailed checks and preparation
Within the agreed scope, we review company, premises, contracts and business documents and confirm the preparation needed.
Documents and applications
We prepare the agreed documents and handle the agreed filing or correction work. Other professionals handle work within their own licensed scope.
Result and future procedures
We explain delivery and, as applicable, renewal, change notifications and matters to monitor after opening.
You may request application support or a quotation without booking an initial paid consultation. If detailed document review or individual advice is needed, we explain the scope and fee in advance and begin after your agreement.
Official reference information
- Immigration Services Agency: Business Manager status of residence
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Food business permits and notifications
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department: Secondhand goods business
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Construction business permits
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Worker dispatch and employment placement businesses
Official information may be updated. Actual applications should be reviewed based on the latest information and individual circumstances at the time of filing.
Before starting your business in Japan, check permits and immigration issues together.
For foreign business owners, company setup, immigration status and business permits should not be considered separately. Please tell us your current situation and planned business activity first.
Business-specific application support
Japanese and foreign business owners are welcome. See the individual pages for the scope, preparation and fee guidance.