Flow of establishing a Japanese branch
Updated: July 2025, 2
Flow until opening
The flow after the head office decides to establish a branch in Japan is as follows.
Decision made by the head office to establish a branch office in Japan
Setting up a branch in Japan is a major investment for the head office, so the decision must be made at the head office.
Determination of the location of the Japanese branch and representative in Japan, etc.
Once you have decided to open a branch office in Japan, you must first decide where the branch office will be located and who will be the representative of the Japanese branch office.
You will also need to make arrangements for an office, such as a rental agreement.
It is possible to appoint multiple representatives in Japan, but at least one person must be a foreigner/Japanese who is registered as a resident in Japan.
Resolutions regarding establishment of branch office, appointment of representative in Japan, etc. at the head office
The location of the branch, the representative, the date of establishment of the branch, etc. must be resolved at a meeting body such as the board of directors.
Authentication of affidavit
Based on the decision of the head office, we will carry out the certification procedure for the affidavit at the Japanese embassy/consulate or notary public office in your home country.
Certification procedures vary by country.
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.
Obtaining permits, obtaining status of residence, opening a bank account, and submitting tax-related notifications
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.
Start of business
Once the various necessary procedures are completed, you will be able to officially open for business.
Things required for registration application
| Registration license tax | ¥90,000 It will be filed with the Legal Affairs Bureau. |
| Required documents | affidavit Translation of affidavit Seal certificate of representative in Japan |
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.
At our company, our affiliated judicial scriveners handle registration applications with the Legal Affairs Bureau, our affiliated tax accountants handle tax-related applications at tax offices, and our affiliated social insurance and labor consultants handle applications for labor insurance, social insurance, etc.
