Representative Office’s Public Documents in Japan

November 22, 2019

Question:

Can the existence of a representative office be confirmed through public documents?

Answer:

The existence itself of a representative office in Japan cannot be proven through public documents.

Explanation:

Compared to a “Japan subsidiary” and “Japan branch office” (both registered entities in accordance with Japanese law), a representative office in Japan does not undergo a registration process. The lack of any certified copy of register means no public document can verify whether or not such representative office exists. As a result, compared to other forms of business expansion in Japan (such as the subsidiary or branch office), it is difficult for a representative office to gain credibility.