Process flow for establishing branch office
A foreign-run company can do business in Japan by following this procedure. The branch office does not have legal person status, rather it is just part of the foreign company. However, it is possible to have a bank account under the branch’s name. The procedure listed below explains how to establish such an office.
Personal seal registration
It is convenient for the person who will become the company’s representative to do personal seal registration* ahead of time.
*This is allowed only for individuals who reside in Japan
Decide on Branch Registration Details
This form is the form most commonly used by foreign company’s in Japan. Registration is decided based on the home company’s Articles of Incorporation and Certificate of Registered Matters. At least one of the branch’s directors needs to have an address in Japan.
Make & certify a sworn affidavit
A Sworn Affidavit is made and certified related to the details of the home company and its representative’s signature, based on the home company’s Certificate of Registered Matters.
Make company seal
Make your company’s official seal, which will later become essential as you do business in Japan. The seal is also needed when you apply for establishment registration.
Apply to Legal Affairs Bureau for branch establishment registration
Apply to the Legal Affairs Bureau for Branch Office Establishment Registration. The seal of the company’s representative in Japan is registered with the Bureau.
Receive Certificate of Seal Registration & Certificate of Registered Matters
Registration takes up to a week to complete after applying.
Afterwards you can receive your company’s Certificate of Registered Matters & Certificate of Seal Registration.
Open bank accounts
A Certificate of Seal Registration & Certificate of Registered Matters is required to open a bank account in the branch’s name.
Send Company Establishment Notice to tax office & city government offices
After the company is established, notifications related to taxes, social insurance, and employment insurance are sent to government agencies. If a notification is not sent to the tax authorities, the company may lose out on preferential tax treatment.
Services
We’ve prepared the ideal package of services for the company type listed above to help you start your business in Japan. In order to make the process go as smoothly as possible, we’ve prepared a limited list of necessary documents we’ll need so that we can prepare all the rest for you. If you have any questions about these please don’t hesitate to ask.
Required Documents
Items Client Provides
- Foreign Company Registration Certificate & Articles of Incorporation
- Passport and home address of home company’s representative
- Passport (or any other ID card) and home address of Japanese branch representatives
Items We Prepare
- Sworn Affidavit ※
- Registration Application
- Any other documents deemed necessary for each case
※Sworn Affidavit
A piece of writing that a notary public who belongs to the home country of the home company attests to that describes what the company representative swears to do listed in the company’s formation documents.
Fees
| Item | Fee (JPY) | Actual Expenses (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| Branch Office Establishment | 150,000 (tax excluded) | about 110,000 * |
*＜Details of Actual Expenses＞
Registration & License Tax: 90,000 JPY
Seal creation cost: about 10,000 JPY
Certificate of Registered Matters & Certificate of Seal Registration: 1,900 JPY
Postage
Refer to Fees
FAQ
- Do you always have to establish a Branch when doing business in Japan?
- What’s the difference between establishing a Subsidiary and opening a Branch office?
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