One of the largest administrative scrivener corporations in Japan that handles permits, visas, and subsidies nationwide.

Updated: July 2025, 9

Foreign corporations can also obtain construction business licenses if they meet the requirements.
We have actually supported foreign corporations in expanding into the country, so we will explain the acquisition process.

Deciding on the type of base to use in Japan

There are three types of bases in Japan.
There are three patterns: 3) Establishing a Japanese corporation, XNUMX) Setting up a Japanese branch, and XNUMX) Setting up a representative office.
Please refer to the table below for a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Comparison of each business type

Of these, since a representative office cannot conduct sales activities, if you are engaged in the construction business, you will need either ① a Japanese corporation or ② a Japanese branch office.
For further details, please refer to the URL below.

Prepare the requirements

The requirements are the same whether in a foreign country or in Japan.
However, the documents that need to be prepared and the procedures tend to be more complicated than with construction companies in Japan.
Make sure you understand the purpose and key points of each requirement and proceed with your preparations.

Full-time officers (persons responsible for managing business operations)

The requirement for full-time directors (persons responsible for managing business operations) is what construction companies struggle with the most.
We are looking for full-time directors (so-called "managers") who have sufficient "experience in managing the construction industry as directors of a construction company."

If you have a Japanese construction company with sufficient experience, the application paperwork is relatively simple.
However, if your only experience is with a foreign construction company, you will need to receive "Ministerial Certification" before applying for a new construction business license.

To receive ministerial certification, you will be required to submit documents verifying the following two points:

Ministerial certification is an application based on actual circumstances and documents.
It will not be accepted if you simply submit documents in a formal manner, and even if you try to explain the actual situation, it will not be accepted unless you provide supporting documents.

It is necessary to thoroughly organize the actual situation and review existing documents to consider whether certification can be obtained.

Dedicated engineers at our sales offices

Depending on the type of construction work you want to carry out, you will need to gather qualified individuals (national qualifications, practical experience, etc.) who can serve as full-time engineers.

It's OK as long as nationally qualified personnel are employed domestically and given full-time, dedicated employment.
If you are not a nationally qualified person but have practical experience overseas and thus meet the requirements for appointment as a full-time engineer, you will need to go through the process of "Ministerial Certification" as in 2-1.

This is also a high hurdle as the application is based on actual circumstances and documents.

The actual status of the "sales office" here will also be confirmed.
Virtual offices are not permitted and you will be required to have a telephone, fax, etc.
In special cases such as shared offices, guidance may vary depending on the jurisdiction, so it is necessary to consult with your local government office.

Insurance

As a general rule, in Japan, you are required to enroll in health insurance, employee pension insurance, and employment insurance.

property basis

The financial base must meet the following requirements:

If you are a Japanese corporation, the corporation must meet the above requirements.
In the case of a Japanese branch, the above requirements may change depending on the guidance of the relevant jurisdiction, so you will need to consult with your local government office.
For reference, in the case of the general construction industry, in most cases the company will show a deposit of 500 million yen or more in a bank account in Japan in order to see its "ability to raise funds within Japan."

Applicability of the good faith requirement, non-applicability of the disqualification requirement

They will check whether there have been any past violations of laws and regulations and whether the directors are subject to any disqualifications (such as bankruptcy).

More information on construction permits can be found on this page.

Construction business permits

Individual certification/preliminary consultation (if necessary)

2. Once we have a certain level of prospect for meeting the requirements, we will proceed with consultations with government offices, etc.
There is a possibility that consultations will arise regarding each requirement, but the one that will have the greatest impact on whether or not you can obtain the qualification and the schedule is the "Minister's Certification" for management and full-time engineers.

As mentioned above, ministerial certification is an application based on actual circumstances and documents.
It will not be accepted if you simply submit documents in a formal manner, and even if you try to explain the actual situation, it will not be accepted unless you provide supporting documents.
Be well prepared so that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Construction business license application

Once the necessary consultations and certifications have been completed, the next step is to apply for permission.
The speed at which your permit application is processed will depend greatly on how successfully you complete the steps up to this point.

If any requirements are missed or omitted, you may have to consult again, so it is important to proceed reliably and with as little waste as possible.

If you have any problems, please contact us.

So far, we have provided an overview of the process and requirements for a foreign company to obtain a construction business license.
Thoroughly organizing the requirements and actual situation and proceeding reliably and without any omissions may seem like a roundabout way at first glance, but in the end it is the best way to reduce waste.

At Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we are acting on behalf of those who are newly acquiring construction business licenses.
We also check and prepare the requirements for obtaining permission, and provide consulting services up to the point of obtaining permission, and have handled over 800 cases to date.
In addition to new contracts, we also provide comprehensive support for many of the procedures that construction companies must carry out.
Our company has a team of construction industry experts who work alongside construction companies to support you, from organizing the requirements and actual circumstances to the actual procedures.
If you have any questions, please contact us.

Would you like to outsource your company's complicated internal operations to us and focus on your core business?