Costs of Establishing a Japanese Corporation

October 18, 2019

Question:

How much does it cost to set up a Japanese corporation?

Answer:

It will take at least 200,000 yen for a stock company (kabushiki gaisha) and at least 60,000 yen for a joint company (goudou gaisha).

Explanation:

The cost of establishment varies depending on whether you are setting up a stock company or a joint company.

In the case of a stock company, at the time of registry the Legal Affairs Bureau requires a registration license tax payment of 150,000 yen or 0.7% of the capital, whichever amount is higher.

In addition to that, it costs about 52,000 yen to have the articles of incorporation certified at the notary office. If these articles are in paper, there is a need to attach a revenue stamp worth 40,000 yen. However, if prepared digitally (electronic articles), the revenue stamp will be unnecessary.

In the case of a joint company, at the time of registry the Legal Affairs Bureau requires a registration license tax payment of 60,000 yen or 0.7% of the capital, whichever amount is higher.

Unlike stock companies, a joint company does not need certification for the articles of incorporation at the notary office. But, similar to stock companies, if these articles are prepared in paper, a revenue stamp of 40,000 yen is required, unless it is in digital format.

Moreover, after registry, the handling fee for the issue of the certified copy of the registration certificate is 600 yen for one (when requested at the window of the Legal Bureau) and 450 each for that of the Seal Certificate.

There are also expenses for the affidavit of foreign corporations, fees for filing a seal in the Legal Bureau for the representative of the company, and remuneration for the judicial scrivener when they were commissioned to set up the Japanese corporation.