American corporation Japan branch established
Updated: July 2025, 2
The process for setting up a branch office in Japan for an American corporation and starting operations
The general flow from the time the American head office decides to open a branch in Japan is as follows.
Authentication of affidavit
Based on the decision of the head office, a director of the US head office or a representative in Japan will notarize the affidavit at the embassy or consulate.
Alternatively, you can also have your document notarized at your local state notary public office.
Application for registration of establishment of foreign company business office to Legal Affairs Bureau
We will prepare attached documents such as certified affidavits and apply for registration to the competent legal affairs bureau through our affiliated judicial scrivener.
Registration will be completed in approximately one week after applying for registration to the Legal Affairs Bureau, and you will be able to obtain a certified copy of the registration.
Business begins after obtaining permits, opening a bank account, submitting tax-related notifications, etc.
Once the business office establishment registration is completed at the Legal Affairs Bureau, it becomes possible to become the subject of rights and obligations in Japan, so procedures such as applying for permits and obtaining status of residence can be carried out.
It is also possible to open a bank account as a branch.
Once the various necessary procedures are completed, you will be able to officially open for business.
Affidavit certification procedure
The certification procedure for the affidavit will be carried out at the embassy or consulate by the director of the U.S. headquarters or the representative of the Japanese branch.
Documents required for certification of affidavit
① Affidavit (English, Japanese)
②U.S. company establishment documents
③Identification card (passport) of the person giving the affidavit
Place to carry out the procedure for certification of affidavit
Local notary public office
Embassy/Consulate with jurisdiction over the branch location
| competent consulate | Address |
| US Embassy in Tokyo | 107-8420-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 10-5 |
| American Consulate General in Osaka/Kobe | U.S. Consulate General Building, 530-8543-2 Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 11-5 |
| American Consulate in Fukuoka | 810-0052-2 Ohori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 5-26 |
| Consulate General of the United States in Sapporo | Kita 064-jo Nishi 0821-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 1-28 |
| U.S. Consulate General Naha | 901-2104-2 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa 1-1 |
For inquiries regarding the establishment of a Japanese branch office or permissions related to the establishment of a Japanese branch office, please contact the Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation.
Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation provides legal services and consulting to companies entering the Japanese market and those establishing a base in Japan.
The work related to expanding into Japan is highly specialized, and it can be said that it is one of the fields where there are few administrative scriveners who can handle it.
Our staff can speak a variety of languages and have a proven track record of application. Please contact us by all means.
Our dedicated staff handles cases nationwide.
