Company Formation in Japan｜Roles of Gyoseishoshi, Judicial Scrivener, Tax Accountant, and Labor Consultant
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Who should you consult when setting up a company in Japan?
When planning to establish a company in Japan, it is important to understand which professional handles which part of the process.
Company formation may involve articles of incorporation, registration, tax filings, social insurance, permits, and immigration matters. For foreign entrepreneurs, these points should be reviewed together from the beginning.
A Gyoseishoshi can support document preparation, articles of incorporation, permit-related planning, and applications to government offices. However, filing the incorporation registration itself is generally handled by a judicial scrivener.
For foreign nationals, setting up a company and obtaining the right status of residence to manage that company in Japan are separate issues. The company structure, business plan, office, funding, permits, and immigration strategy should be reviewed together.
Main professionals involved in company formation
Company formation in Japan is not always completed by one professional alone. Different professionals handle different stages before, during, and after incorporation.
| Professional | Main role | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Gyoseishoshi Administrative Scrivener |
Preparation of articles of incorporation drafts, minutes, permit-related documents, and applications to government offices | Registration filings and tax filings are generally handled by other licensed professionals. |
| Judicial Scrivener | Incorporation registration, commercial registration, officer changes, and head office relocation registration | A judicial scrivener is the main professional for filing company registration applications. |
| Tax Accountant | Tax notifications, bookkeeping, accounting, corporate tax, consumption tax, and tax advice | Tax and accounting systems should be prepared soon after incorporation. |
| Social Insurance Labor Consultant | Social insurance, labor insurance, employment procedures, work rules, and labor management | Procedures may arise when officer remuneration or employment begins. |
What a Gyoseishoshi can help with
A Gyoseishoshi can support company formation planning and prepare documents for government offices, especially where permits or immigration matters are also involved.
- Explaining the overall company formation process
- Drafting articles of incorporation, founder resolutions, and minutes
- Supporting electronic articles of incorporation
- Reviewing business purposes
- Checking permit issues such as construction, secondhand dealer, restaurant, or registered support organization matters
- Planning immigration-related documents for foreign entrepreneurs
- Coordinating with judicial scriveners, tax accountants, and labor consultants when needed
In businesses that require permits or immigration approval, problems may arise after incorporation if the business purpose, office, company structure, or immigration explanation does not match the actual plan. It is safer to review these points before incorporation.
Basic government costs for establishing a Kabushiki Kaisha
When establishing a Kabushiki Kaisha, government-related costs may include notary fees, copy or data-related fees, revenue stamp duty, and registration license tax.
| Item | General estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notary fee | Varies depending on capital and other factors | Confirmation with the notary office is required for the exact amount. |
| Certified copy / data-related fees | Usually several thousand yen | The amount depends on the number of copies and procedure method. |
| Revenue stamp | JPY 40,000 for paper articles; generally not required for electronic articles | Electronic articles of incorporation may reduce stamp cost. |
| Registration license tax | 0.7% of capital, or JPY 150,000, whichever is higher | This is the basic calculation for a Kabushiki Kaisha. |
* Actual costs vary depending on company type, capital amount, articles of incorporation, judicial scrivener fees, Gyoseishoshi fees, tax accountant or labor consultant fees, and certificate-related costs.
Important points for foreign entrepreneurs
Establishing a company in Japan and obtaining the appropriate status of residence to manage that company are separate legal and practical issues.
Incorporation alone is not enough
Even if a company is established, this does not automatically allow a foreign national to manage the company in Japan. The current status of residence and planned activities must be reviewed.
Office, funding, and business plan
Office facilities, funding background, business plan, clients, contracts, and permits should be prepared in a way that can be explained through documents.
Consistency with permits
If the business requires permits, the company purpose, office, officers, business plan, and immigration explanation should be consistent.
Having a business idea, capital, or a newly established company does not guarantee immigration approval. The applicant’s background, actual business substance, submitted documents, and examination trends should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
How Tommy’s Legal Service can help
Tommy’s Legal Service supports company formation planning together with permits, immigration matters, and English-language explanations for foreign entrepreneurs.
- Initial planning for Kabushiki Kaisha or Godo Kaisha formation
- Drafting formation-related documents
- Supporting electronic articles of incorporation
- Pre-checking permits and licenses
- Reviewing connection with Business Manager status of residence
- Organizing required documents in English and Japanese
- Coordinating with judicial scriveners, tax accountants, and labor consultants when needed
Related pages
Business Manager Visa
Foreign entrepreneurs should also review the Business Manager status of residence when planning to manage a company in Japan.
View Business Manager Visa pageImmigration Inquiry
If you would like to review company formation, permits, and immigration issues together, please contact us through the inquiry form.
Contact formReferences
Consult us about company formation and foreign entrepreneur support
Company formation should be planned together with registration, tax, social insurance, permits, and immigration matters. This is especially important for foreign entrepreneurs who plan to manage a company in Japan.
Please tell us your current situation, planned business, required permits, and residence status concerns.
Tommy’s Legal Service
Daisuke Tominaga, Gyoseishoshi
Gyoseishoshi Registration No.: 21080644 / Immigration Application Agent No.: 行-132021200250 / Registered Support Organization No.: 26登-013083
TEL: 045-550-5135
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